Charlene Cooper to lead cybersecurity education as director of CYBER.ORG
BOSSIER CITY, La. – The Cyber Innovation Center (CIC) is proud to announce the promotion of Charlene Cooper to Director of CYBER.ORG, the CIC’s national academic initiative focused on expanding K–12 cybersecurity education and workforce development.
A National Board Certified Teacher with over 20 years of experience, Cooper brings extensive expertise, leadership, and a deep commitment to education. Since joining CYBER.ORG in 2020 as a Curriculum Development Specialist and later serving as Director of Curriculum she has played a pivotal role in developing engaging, standards-aligned resources in cybersecurity and STEM for educators nationwide.
“I’m incredibly honored and excited to step into this role,” said Cooper. “This opportunity is deeply meaningful not just professionally, but personally, as I’ve seen firsthand the transformative impact our K–12 resources have on students, educators, and communities. We’re not just preparing students for careers; we’re helping them become responsible digital citizens in an increasingly connected world.”
Cooper’s relationship with CIC began as an educator in 2013 when she attended the first CYBER.ORG Education Discovery Forum and was selected as one of three teachers to pilot the organization’s new STEM curriculum. So enthusiastic about the content, she continued collaborating closely with the organization until officially joining the CIC’s academic initiative where she went on to help develop, test, and roll out new materials, coordinate robotics competitions, and deliver national presentations
“Charlene has a remarkable ability to connect with teachers, school leaders, and subject-matter experts to build impactful programs,” said Kevin Nolten, President of the Cyber Innovation Center. “She knows how education can change lives, and her passion will be key to advancing our mission of expanding access to cybersecurity learning and helping students see clear pathways to future careers.”
As Director, Cooper will lead strategic planning, oversee program execution, manage internal teams, and engage with key partners across education, industry, and government to expand CYBER.ORG’s reach. She is especially focused on equipping educators with the tools, training, and support needed to bring cybersecurity and career-connected learning into classrooms across the country.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the supportive team around me during this transition,” said Cooper. “Leadership isn’t about doing the mission alone, it’s about growing together. I couldn’t ask for a better team to grow with.”
With her background in curriculum design and instructional leadership, Cooper aims to grow CYBER.ORG’s national reach and impact, ensuring every student has access to high-quality cybersecurity education, career awareness, and development opportunities.
“My goal is to build stronger connections between K–12 education and the needs of today’s workforce,” Cooper said. “By deepening partnerships across education, industry, and government, we can create a more sustainable talent pipeline that supports national security and economic growth.”
About CYBER.ORG
CYBER.ORG is a cybersecurity workforce development organization advancing K-12 cybersecurity education nationwide through no-cost curriculum and teacher professional development resources. Supported by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency through the Cybersecurity Education and Training Assistance Program (CETAP) grant. CYBER.ORG provides educators and caregivers with resources and training to teach cybersecurity education to K-12 students nationwide. Today, over 30,000 teachers across all 50 states and four U.S. territories are enrolled in the CYBER.ORG’s content platform. As an affiliate of the Cyber Innovation Center, CYBER.ORG is committed to reaching over 50,000 educators by 2029, impacting over six million students nationwide. For more information, please visit http://www.cyber.org.