The Shadow
CLIFTON FORGE, Va. (VR) – Mountain Gateway Community College is proud to announce the appointment of David Jones as the new Director of the MG-TEC IT Academy.
“I am excited to announce the appointment of David Jones as the Director of the MG-TEC IT Academy,” said Dr. Ben Worth, Vice President of Academic Affairs at MGCC. “With an extensive background in the field of cybersecurity, Mr. Jones brings a wealth of experience and
expertise to MGCC.”
Jones steps into this role following the leadership of Ashley Pratt, who helped launch the MG-TEC initiative during its foundational year. As the Academy prepares for its inaugural class in Fall 2025, Jones brings a bold vision shaped by decades of experience in cybersecurity education, training, and workforce development.
“Education, in the world of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI), needs to move at the speed of business,” said Jones. “We cannot teach students like we have done in the past and expect them to be ready for tomorrow. My vision is to infuse AI and GAI into MG-TEC courses, teaching students not only how these technologies are shaping the IT landscape, but how to use them to thrive in their future careers.”
Jones was inspired to join MG-TEC by the opportunity to create a unified vision between instruction and hands-on experiences. “Often the lab and lecture are disjointed,” he said. “MG-TEC allows for a singular vision and purpose. That’s key to its success.”
Jones previously served as a research associate for the National Security Institute’s Cyber Workforce Development Program and has provided Cyber Warfighter Training with the 91st Cyber Brigade of the Virginia National Guard, as well as at the Virginia Military Institute’s Cyber Defense Lab. He has also taught at the Virginia Military Institute, Southern Virginia University, and Virginia Tech, and is a veteran of the US Army Reserves. His professional experience includes numerous publications and conference presentations in the field of cybersecurity.
He holds a Master of Science in Cybersecurity from Webster University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Information Systems from California State University, Fresno. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in Computer Science and Applications at Virginia Tech.
Jones brings a track record of launching and growing successful workforce development programs. “In my experience, students respond well when they have access to cutting-edge projects and next-generation topics,” he said. “It drives excitement and engagement—and in turn, helps grow enrollment and build community momentum.”
MG-TEC is designed to empower high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a rigorous education in Information Technology. Upon completing their chosen pathway, students will receive an industry-recognized certificate, positioning them for success in the IT workforce or
continued education.
Classes will be available on Main Campus in Clifton Forge as well as at the Wilson Workforce Center in Buena Vista. Students can also attend virtually through HyFlex options.
The deadline to apply for MG-TEC is May 1. More information can be found at www.mgcc.edu/mg-tec. For more information, contact David Jones, MG-TEC IT Academy Director, at djones@mgcc.edu.
