Fong Celebrates Approval for Cerro Coso CC Bachelor’s Degree in Cyber Security

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Vince Fong (CA-20) celebrated final approval for Cerro Coso Community College to launch a Bachelor of Science in Cyber Security Technology. This new four-year degree program will bring locally accessible, advanced cybersecurity education directly to students.

Congressman Fong advocated for this bachelor's degree to the President of the California Community Colleges (CCC) Board of Governors, authoring a letter in support of the Cyber Security Technology program. This milestone builds directly on the Congressman's work to strengthen cybersecurity workforce development in the Central Valley, Kern County, and at Cerro Coso Community College. In January, Congressman Fong secured $1,112,250 in federal funding for Cerro Coso Community College to establish a cybersecurity education program supporting regional workforce development - a critical building block that helped lay the foundation for today's bachelor's degree approval.

"Cybersecurity is one of the most pressing challenges facing our nation, and building a strong cybersecurity workforce is critical to our economic and national security," said Congressman Fong. "The approval of this bachelor's degree program at Cerro Coso Community College is a major achievement for our region and an important investment in our country's future. By expanding access to advanced cybersecurity education, Cerro Coso is helping prepare the next generation of professionals who will protect our critical infrastructure, strengthen our defense capabilities, and meet the evolving needs of a rapidly changing world."

The approval follows authorization from the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office and accreditation approval from the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges. The program is the result of years of planning and collaboration among Cerro Coso faculty, staff, industry partners, and community leaders who recognized the urgent need for cybersecurity education in the region.

For many students in Cerro Coso's service area, earning a bachelor's degree has historically required relocating or traveling long distances. This new program allows students to remain close to home while preparing for careers in cybersecurity, technology, and related fields. These careers directly supporting the workforce needs of the rural and military-adjacent communities, including those connected to Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake and Edwards Air Force Base and the Mojave Air and Spaceport.

"This bachelor's degree has been a long-term vision for Cerro Coso Community College and seeing that vision become a reality is incredibly rewarding," said Sean Hancock, president of Cerro Coso. "Our students deserve access to affordable, high-quality educational opportunities that prepare them for the future. This program will help open doors for generations of students while strengthening the workforce that drives our regional economy."

"This is exactly the kind of opportunity community colleges are meant to create," said Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg, president of the Kern Community College District Board of Trustees. "Students who want to stay in their communities while pursuing a bachelor's degree now have that option. We're proud of the work Cerro Coso has done to bring this program to life."

"This achievement reflects what is possible when a college listens closely to its community and works tirelessly to meet its needs," said Steven Bloomberg, Kern Community College District Chancellor. "Cerro Coso has built a program that expands opportunities for students while supporting the future of the region it serves. The impact of this degree will extend far beyond the classroom, creating opportunities for students, families, employers, and communities for years to come."

Congressman Fong has been a tireless advocate for cybersecurity workforce development in the Central Valley. In April 2026, he hosted Homeland Security Chairman Andrew Garbarino and CISA officials for a cybersecurity roundtable in Ridgecrest, where local leaders emphasized the urgent need for a stronger regional cybersecurity workforce to protect critical infrastructure from growing threats.

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