The Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering (ASCTE) is planning a major expansion of its academic and research footprint with the development of a new Research Institute, with construction expected to begin later this year.
School officials say the institute will serve as an Alabama Center for Excellence and will be among the first research facilities of its kind embedded within a secondary education institution. The initiative is designed to connect K–12 education, higher education, industry, and government partners to support research and workforce development in cyber technology, artificial intelligence, and engineering.
According to ASCTE leadership, the institute is intended to support Alabama’s long-term workforce needs as the state continues to attract technology and advanced manufacturing investments.
Resources provided by the institute have already included: STEM outreach and engagement through hands-on labs, professional development and training for educators, and curriculum development aligned with the Alabama State Department of Education’s Course of Study. School officials say these efforts are aimed at expanding access to advanced technical education for both students and teachers across the state.
“Our focus is on capacity building, helping schools and districts tackle STEM concepts with confidence,” said Chase Golden, ASCTE’s Chief Technology Officer. “The Research Institute and its Center of Excellence mission allows us to scale that work, connect it to research, and ensure that what works in one classroom or district can work across the state.”
The institute’s research focus will include areas such as artificial intelligence, computing, cyber ranges, and big data. ASCTE leaders say the facility is expected to support research partnerships, faculty-led studies, student entrepreneurship, and the integration of advanced technical topics into classroom instruction.
Teacher and Workforce Development
ASCTE currently serves as a professional development provider for the state’s Teacher Excellence and Accountability for Mathematics and Science (TEAMS) Act and offers training opportunities for educators from across Alabama. School officials say the new Research Institute will allow those efforts to expand.
“As a new TEAMS professional development provider, we were overwhelmed by the amount of teacher interest in our Cyber Immersion Day sessions,” said Amy Mason, ASCTE’s TEAMS Professional Development Coordinator. “The first five sessions were filled by almost 100 teachers from across the state within the first month of sharing the PowerSchool registration details.”
Teachers who have participated in the program say the training has had a direct impact on their classroom instruction.
“It exceeded my expectations,” said Suzanne Mizell, a high school chemistry teacher. “I learned so much that I can now use to help make my lesson plans better.”
In addition to teacher training, the Research Institute is expected to expand ASCTE’s engagement with industry partners to support workforce development initiatives. School leaders say public-private partnerships will help ensure training programs reflect current and emerging workforce needs.
“This new research center positions ASCTE to drive innovation not just within our school, but throughout Alabama’s educational landscape,” said Board Vice Chair Alicia Ryan. “It’s an investment in the future workforce of our state.”
Research Capabilities and Campus Expansion
According to ASCTE officials, the institute will support sponsored basic and applied research and will be staffed by rotating faculty on research appointments.
The facility will include four research labs aligned with the school’s academic mission: a Cyber Test Center, an AI Innovation Center, a Systems Integration Center, and an Engineering Life Cycle Center.
“Our strategic plan reflects our commitment to student success and educational excellence,” said ASCTE President Matt Massey. “By expanding our research capabilities and campus resources, we are ensuring our students are prepared to lead in tomorrow’s technology fields.”
The Research Institute was unanimously approved by ASCTE’s board in 2025 and is included in the school’s 2025–2030 Strategic Plan. School leaders say the plan outlines long-term initiatives aimed at expanding ASCTE’s educational and research impact.
“This is going to be an asset for the state of Alabama as we partner with universities and for the whole nation, and really to have a global impact,” Massey said.
As part of its broader expansion efforts, the board has also reviewed plans for a new dormitory, with construction expected to begin in the next fiscal year. The additional housing is intended to support a growing and increasingly diverse student body.
More information about the Research Institute and ASCTE’s strategic initiatives is available at ascte.org.
