The EC-Council annually awards honors to global academic communities in cybersecurity training and education.
Collin College’s cybersecurity program is a 2025 recipient of the Academia Circle of Excellence award by the International Council of E-Commerce Consultants, or EC-Council.
The EC-Council annually awards honors to global academic communities in cybersecurity training and education.
“We are honored to once again be recognized by EC-Council,” said Damien Smith, director of workforce cybersecurity at Collin College. “The esteemed Academia Circle of Excellence award is a testament to our dedication to cybersecurity education and supporting the next generation of leaders in the field. We are committed to a high standard of excellence and are delighted to see that our passion and efforts are being recognized on an international stage.”
Collin College is one of five institutions in EC-Council’s North America academic division to receive this award, according to a press release. Along with the program as a whole, cybersecurity professor Glenn Kimball was named a recipient of the 2025 Academia Instructor Circle of Excellence award.
“I’m humbled and honored to be selected to receive the EC-Council 2025 Academic Instructor Circle of Excellence Award,” Kimball said. “Inspiring students to elevate their knowledge and skills to address the complexities and challenges in cybersecurity is core to my teaching mission. This award validates that our core approach, collaborative partnerships, and dedication to student outcomes and advancement is on target. I am grateful to have a partner like EC-Council to advance the cybersecurity cause.”