Indianapolis, In. — As the national discussion over election security and ballot integrity continues, Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson has announced the creation of a new certificate at Ball State University that will allow election administrators and staff to further their knowledge of cyber practices and principles.
The Certificate in Election Administration, Technology and Security, or CEATS, was developed by Ball State’s Voting System and Technical Oversight Program to provide instruction on voting systems, information technology, security basics, election law, and more. Election administrators are expected to be proficient in a number of diverse areas including human resources, poll worker training, election and procedural law, budgets, physical space management, organizational communication, public relations, information technology and cybersecurity. This diversity is not traditionally captured in any one single educational or training program. CEATS will help to fill that gap and is one of many steps being taken to enhance the State of Indiana’s election security readiness.
Applications from each of Indiana’s 92 counties were solicited and considered for entrance to the inaugural class. The first class was carefully selected and will consist of the following individuals:
- Sara Arnold, Spencer County
- Chad Clingerman, Elkhart County
- Paula Copenhaver, Fountain County
- Lori Davis, Vigo County
- Nicole Deibel, White County
- Tammy Dooley, Hendricks County
- Jaymie Duerlinger, Vigo County
- Christina Eurton, Floyd County
- LaDonna Ingram, Vigo County
- April Johnson, Allen County
- Amy Jordan, Clay County
- Cody Kiefling, Vigo County
- Paula Lantz, White County
- Kathy Martin, Vigo County
- Tara McNamara, Allen County
- Cathy Oser, Warrick County
- Patty Perry, Warrick County
- Jay Phelps, Bartholomew County
- Stephanie Rockey, Washington County
- Ruth Rowlett, Franklin County
- Brenda Woods, Brown County
“I wish to congratulate those admitted to the first-ever CEATS program at Ball State University,” said Secretary Lawson. “This program represents an exciting new chapter in our ongoing efforts surrounding election preparedness. I want to thank in particular VSTOP Co-Directors Jay Bagga and Bryan Byers, who have put significant time and effort into the development of this program.”
The first cohort will begin work on August 27, 2018. A new cohort will be admitted to the program every six months, beginning in August and February. The program will proceed in three distinct phases, and participants must commit to attending each session.
