The Cyber Technology Practitioner Program (CTPP), developed by the Louisiana Tech Research Institute (LTRI) in partnership with Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), continues to grow in both size and impact. Since February 2025, 27 students joined the program, increasing participation and filling the critical need of workforce development in the cybersecurity industry.
CTPP attracts students from a wide range of academic disciplines across the University, including computer science, business administration, and accounting. What started as a pilot initiative funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, has quickly become an engaging opportunity for students.
CTPP gives students access to ISACA’s fundamental certificate courses in high-demand topics such as Internet of Things, Cloud, Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Networks and Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, Data Science, IT Audit, and IT Risk.
Students not only receive access to the certificate courses at no cost, but they also benefit from tuition credits and an ISACA student membership, which includes access to a professional mentorship network. These mentoring connections allow students to learn directly from professionals in the field and better understand the real-world applications of their coursework.
Zachary Truxillo, a sophomore in computer science, immediately noticed the benefits of the program while looking into a career in cybersecurity.
“The courses dive heavily into the business and corporate side of things, which gives you a fundamental look at the real-world workforce,” Truxillo said. “Even now, as I work in an IT internship, everything I learned from the program is constantly being applied.”
Noah Jose, a master’s student in accounting, joined CTPP as an undergraduate, but became the first student to complete all four certificate courses in a single quarter. Initially unsure of how relevant the program would be for his major, he quickly discovered its value.
“As an accounting major, I was surprised by how interesting and applicable the courses were to my field,” Jose said. “Each module is broken up into manageable lessons which made the self-paced format easy to follow while keeping up with other projects and exams.”
LTRI is actively pursuing ways to continue and expand the program through the upcoming academic year. In addition to offering the same certificate opportunities, the team hopes to introduce associate-level certifications for students seeking deeper credentials.
Warren Ward, executive director of LTRI and CTPP program director, emphasized the long-term value for participants.
“To enhance the renowned academic experience Louisiana Tech provides, participants in this program gain valuable industry training and certificates they can present to potential employers,” Ward said. “It’s an honor to provide students with the opportunity for a meaningful head start in their careers.”
Jose encourages other students outside of computer science to explore what CTPP offers.
“These certificates are relevant across industries,” Jose added. “Understanding how IT impacts an entire enterprise adds value no matter your major.”
For more information on the Louisiana Tech Research Institute visit ltri.org. To learn more about ISACA and the full list of courses offered, visit isaca.org.