The speakers of the press conference.
Fri, Sep 4th 2026 07:00 am
By Madeline Dorobiala
Niagara University launched its School of Cybersecurity on Aug. 25.
This new program was released within the Holzschuh College of Business and is designed to broaden students’ understanding of how emerging technologies affect business strategy, operations, and making ethical decisions.
Students and administration gathered for the occasion. The event opened with the Rev. Aneesh Mathew, C.M., Ed.D., leading a prayer that recalled Pope Leo XIV’s audience about technology and artificial intelligence. Following the prayer, the president of Niagara, the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., thanked the administration and leadership for supporting the new program.
“I’m happy to announce today that Niagara University is taking an important step forward in our commitment to cybersecurity education, to the safety and security of the communities we seek to serve,” Maher said.
The Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., president, gives opening remarks.
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He spoke on how the demand for cybersecurity professionals has grown faster than talent.
“The Department of Labor projects a 32% growth in cybersecurity roles over the coming decade,” Maher said.
He welcomed Dr. Mark Frascatore, dean of the Holzschuh College of Business Administration, to speak from a business angle.
“Senior executives increasingly have to make decisions about Social Security, even though they may not ever write a line of code,” Frascatore said. “Bringing these disciplines together gives us an opportunity to educate both sides of that equation, and cybersecurity students become stronger organizational leaders.”
Frascatore said the Holzschuh College of Business Administration invites students to think ahead by allowing them to work with professionals and technology. He also stated it is vital when innovation is moving quicker than society can process.
Dr. Petter Lovaas, CISO, director of the School of Cybersecurity, spoke on how Niagara devoted its efforts to cybersecurity education since the program’s start in 2016. He also emphasized how cybersecurity has become a national security priority, as well as Niagara’s program.
“We have a fantastic 4+1 pathway, which creates a direct pipeline from undergraduate computer into the graduate cybersecurity program,” Lovaas said.
Dr. Yonghong Tong, associate professor of computer and information sciences, noted the new program is pivotal for NU and the Western New York region.
“In just five years, students can learn both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees, saving valuable time and gaining direct access to Niagara’s NSA-designated cybersecurity program,” Tong said.
Student Ehler Tha gave his perspective on how the cybersecurity program has shaped him.
“They show that the program is focused on the pair student, but knowledge and scale that are relevant to substitute challenges we face today,” Tha said. “And I’m excited to know that the work we are doing in the classroom is connected to a larger effort to reinsure security.”
Tha has received four certifications while pursuing his master’s degree in cybersecurity. He has certifications in Security+, Network+, eJPT and Exterro ACE.
The new program also invites NU to expand its mission that began with its founder, St. Vincent de Paul.
“The most recent papal encyclical on artificial intelligence really fits that need,” Maher said. “And so, we’re training students and educating them, not only with great technical skills, but really with our Catholic identity and our Vincentian mission, to be excellent ethical professionals.”
Following the press conference, attendees were invited to eat and socialize amongst themselves. There was also a demonstration where students interested in the program could participate in a ransomware case and work together to solve it. That demonstration was run by assistant professor Dr. Glenn Papp Jr., Ph.D.
