Cybersecurity Education Management Council (CEMC)
The Cybersecurity Education Management Council is tasked with promoting degree and certificate programs in cybersecurity fields offered by public postsecondary education institutions in order to meet the state’s workforce needs.
R.S. 17:3138.9 established the Louisiana Cybersecurity Talent Initiative Fund, created within the state treasury as a special fund for the purpose of funding degree and certificate programs in cybersecurity fields. This also created the Cybersecurity Education Management Council, comprising representatives of the Louisiana Board of Regents, Louisiana higher education institutions, the Louisiana Department of Education, the Louisiana Workforce Commission, Louisiana Economic Development, and members appointed by the Governor to advise and make recommendations to the Board with respect to distributions of monies for the expansion of cybersecurity programs.
Request for Applications
2025-26 Request for Applications
2026 CEMC Meetings
Previous Meetings
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
Council Members
| Member | Title/Affiliation |
|---|---|
| Lt. Col. Michael J. Bendich | Governor’s Appointee, Cyber Operations Officer |
| William Bradley III | Governor’s Appointee, Strategic Advisor and Leadership Coach |
| Tristan Denley, Chair | Deputy Commissioner for Academic Affairs and Innovation, Louisiana Board of Regents |
| Bonnie Chelette | Director of Educational Technology, Louisiana Department of Education |
| Michael Boykin | Director of Health, Safety, and Security, Louisiana Chemical Association |
| Greg Trahan | Director of Economic Development, LSU |
| Dr. Kenneth Williams | Director of Cybersecurity, Southern University at New Orleans |
| Dr. Claire Norris | Senior Vice President for Advancement, Research, and Strategy, University of Louisiana System |
| Dr. Rick Bateman | Chancellor, Bossier Parish Community College |
| Emily DiPalma | Chief Economist, Louisiana Works |
| Mark Bond | Director, Workforce Initiatives, Louisiana Economic Development |
Educate, Innovate, and Collaborate
The Master Plan
To move Louisiana aggressively forward, the Board of Regents has embraced a robust new attainment goal that calls for 60% of all working-age adults (ages 25-64) in Louisiana to hold a degree or high-value credential by 2030. As we stand on the brink of a new decade, this Master Plan, born of the Board of Regents’ unique charge to guide postsecondary education across the state, will set the foundation to increase opportunity. Our Talent Imperative is to Educate, Innovate, and Collaborate