Dynetics, University Of North Alabama Announce Learning Agreement

May. 03, 2019

Michelle Eubanks, UNA, at media@una.edu, 256.765.4392 or 256.606.2033

Michelle Eubanks, UNA, at meubanks@una.edu, 256-606-2033 or 256-765-4392Kristina Hendrix, Dynetics, at Kristina.hendrix@dynetics.com FLORENCE, AL - The University of North Alabama, UNA, and Dynetics jointly announced the launch of a new partnership that will offer Dynetics' employees a scholarship upon acceptance into any online or traditional graduate or undergraduate program. Further, the partnership, which was announced May 3 at Dynetics Corporate Headquarters in Huntsville, includes a donation made by Dynetics to support the new Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Lab in the College of Business. The money contributed by Dynetics will be used for lab construction. "The University of North Alabama is pleased to partner with Dynetics to offer multiple degree options to its employees," said Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Dr. Ross Alexander. "UNA is equally excited about the opportunity to offer advanced learning experiences to students within the new Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Lab. This lab will provide students a state-of-the-art training environment and enable hands-on learning experiences." Jonathan Pettus, the director of cybersecurity and information technology solutions at Dynetics, is also a UNA graduate. He said he knows first-hand the need for individuals with skills in information technology and cybersecurity. "Cybersecurity is a topic that is in the news daily and with more and more people being impacted in a multitude of ways," he said. "Teaching students to learn the latest skills and techniques will be critical when protecting consumers in today's world. Dynetics has been a leader in the cybersecurity industry for more than 20 years. We want to help UNA students at the ground level and give them hands-on experience in a modern facility as they prepare for their futures." Industries across a variety of sectors are seeking graduates with degrees that will assist with their cybersecurity needs, according to Dr. Gregory Carnes, Dean of the College of Business. "Graduates of UNA's Computer Science, Information Technology, and Information System programs are in high demand," he said. "This partnership with Dynetics will ensure that UNA students are aware of the attractive career opportunities at Dynetics, and it will provideopportunities for current employees at Dynetics to have access to high-quality online degree programs, such as the UNA MBA, which is the largest MBA program in Alabama." The scholarship amount to be awarded will be 20 percent of the course's tuition and fee value, and any of UNA's online or traditional graduate or undergraduate courses are available under the scholarship's provisions. The only requirements for eligibility are that the scholarship recipient must be employed by Dynetics and must have at least one year of full-time employment history with the company. About Dynetics Dynetics provides responsive, cost-effective engineering, scientific, IT solutions to the national security, cybersecurity, space, and critical infrastructure sectors. Our portfolio features highly specialized technical services and a range of software and hardware products, including components, subsystems, and complex end-to-end systems. The company of more than 2,000 employee-owners is based in Huntsville, Ala., and has offices throughout the U.S. For more information, visit www.dynetics.com. About The University of North Alabama The University of North Alabama is an accredited, comprehensive regional state university offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs through the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, Education and Human Sciences, and the Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professionals. Occupying a 130-acre campus in a residential section of Florence, Alabama, UNA is located within a four-city area that also includes Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia. UNA Athletics, a renowned collegiate athletics program with seven (7) Division II National Championships, is now a proud member of the NCAA Division I's ASUN Big South Conference. The University of North Alabama is an equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate in the admission policy on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, disability, age, or national origin. For more: www.una.edu and www.una.edu/unaworks/