Cloud Computing - Bachelor of Applied Technology

The NVC Bachelor of Applied Technology (BAT) in Cloud Computing degree is a bachelor’s degree that can follow the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees in information technology fields.

The Northwest Vista College Bachelor of Applied Technology (BAT) in Cloud Computing degree is open to applicant with the following qualifications:

• Completion of an AAS Network and Cloud Architecture degree
• Completion of an AAS Network Administrator degree
• Completion of an AAS Information Assurance & Cyber Security degree
• Completion of an AAS Game Development (Programming specialization) degree
  OR
• A closely related degree from a regionally accredited institution.
  OR
• Students who have and Associate of Arts (AA) or an Associate of Science (AS) following completion of 42 Career and Technical Education (CTE) hours in an IT field.

Students who do not meet any of the criteria will submit any courses and relevant work experience for evaluation to ensure the maximum transfer and application of credits toward the Bachelor of Applied Technology Cloud Computing program. Northwest Vista College accepts Continuing Education (CE) credits and prior work experience for credit transfer. Program faculty will review transcripts and experience for potential course credit. Entering students will have the ability to complete their CTE hours or IT-related degree through NVC prior to admission to the Bachelor of Applied Technology – Cloud Computing program. Contact an Enrollment Coach to learn more.

• Cloud Computing is a system of storing data and powering computers virtually over the internet. This is a process by which companies and organizations can access their technology on-demand while minimizing the need for large physical data centers and numerous servers. Cloud Computing solutions provide efficient storage of data, backup of data, software design, and testing, web hosting solutions, database creation, access and retrieval, artificial intelligence and machine learning solutions, and access to other information technology applications.

• Some of the fastest growing and highest paying careers are those in the Information Technology (IT) sector and more specifically in cloud computing, a field that can lower technology costs and improve delivery, efficiency, privacy, and disaster recovery for companies and organizations.
  
  
• Northwest Vista College (NVC) already awards associate degrees and certificates in Network Architecture and Cloud Computing, and our faculty have industry credentials in the field and can teach at the bachelor degree level.

• Qualified community colleges and programs can offer technical bachelor degrees in high demand careers as a result of Texas Senate Bill 2118 which was passed by the 85th Legislature in 2017.

• The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) is expected to approve NVC's BAT degree plan on October 26. NVC is also seeking approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) on obtaining Level-II status to offer this bachelor degree.

• NVC's Academic Success team has created the degree plan for the BAT, including several new upper-division courses. They are also working alongside college leadership to set up infrastructure to support the BAT program, including enrollment goals, budget, hiring of faculty and staff, and preparing other support systems. In addition, the Computer Science, Technology, and Business department is working with Student Success and Marketing & Strategic Communications on advertising, marketing, communication, outreach, and recruitment.

• NVC is an Amazon Web Services (AWS) Academy partner and will teach curriculum designed by our faculty and offer lab-based assignments on the AWS Cloud Platform, which means NVC has certified faculty with years of industry experience who possess the requisite education level to teach at the baccalaureate level. The largest cloud computing provider in the world is Amazon with over 500 Points of Presence, 32 Regions, and 100+ Availability Zones worldwide. As an AWS Academy partner, NVC will offer complimentary access to the AWS educational curriculum that allows students to earn up to 16 micro-credentials for first-time college students who start their BAT program by first enrolling in the Associate of Applied Science in Network Architecture & Cloud Computing.

• The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the overall employment in computer and information technology occupations will grow much faster than the average for all occupations from 2022 to 2032. They further estimate an average of 377,500 job openings each year.
  
  
• Organizations such as PwC have noted the global Cloud Computing market size was valued at $545.8 billion in 2022 and it is projected to reach $1.2 trillion by the end of 2027, growing at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.9%.

• Jobs in this field include maintaining a cloud infrastructure, designing cloud solutions, software engineering, data analytics, database management, cloud security, datacenter operations manager, and artificial intelligence/machine learning solutions.

• Salaries vary by education, job title, experience and skill level. According to PayScale.com, an entry salary for an AWS Solutions Architect entering the cloud computing field is projected at $144,000 per year. For a software engineer, the pay is approximately $104,000, and $120,000 for a site reliability engineer. A machine learning engineer can earn $133,000.

• Locally, graduates of the program are highly sought after by HEB, Lockheed Martin, Frost Bank, USAA, Accenture, Valero, Marathon Oil, NuStar Energy, iHeart Media, the US Military, and SWBC, among others.

• NVC will award credit for prior coursework in this field, including certifications and job experience. Students who have completed an IT-related Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree within the Alamo Colleges District or from other accredited colleges and/or universities will be eligible for entry into the program.

• For more information about the BAT degree program, please see the website: Cloud Computing - Bachelor of Applied Technology

• If you have specific questions about the program, please contact Program Coordinator Dr. John Grillo at jgrillo@alamo.edu.

Teaching Philosophy

Technology is driving the way we teach. No longer is learning limited to traditional classroom environments or even within an academic institution. Skills and tasks can be learned on free platforms such as YouTube. John’s teaching philosophy is one that emphasizes “hands-on” training. A certified, competent instructor mentoring and leading the way, guiding students to acquire hands-on skills with subsequent self-study to reinforce knowledge gained in the classroom or within an online learning platform. A cordial-informal relationship with students is needed to develop trust, emphasize critical thinking, and develop further skills outside the classroom. Our technology discipline is humble in that learning is a life-long process. Just when you think you know it all, someone is always around who knows more.

Education

Doctor of Business Administration-Information Security
Northcentral University, April 2007

Master of Computer Resources and Information Management
Webster University, January 2000

Bachelor of Science, Business Administration (summa cum laude)
Troy State University, September 1995

Certifications

AWS Solutions Architect
AWS Machine Learning - Specialty
AWS Cloud Practitioner
AWS Certified Educator
Cisco Certified Network Professional
Cisco Certified Academic Instructor
Palo Alto Networks Certified Instructor
CompTIA Security+
CompTIA Linux+
Linux Professional Institute – Certified Engineer

Northwest Vista College

John began working at Northwest Vista College in 2002 and was appointed program coordinator for the Network Administration Program. From 2006-2009, he served as Academic Leader for the Social & Computer Sciences Department. In 2007, John earned his Doctorate of Business with an Information Security emphasis from Northcentral University. He then was appointed as the Chair of the newly created Workforce Department from 2011-2015. In 2015, in coordination with Rackspace Inc., he created the Network Cloud Architecture Associate of Applied Science program where he served as program coordinator from 2015 to present. In 2017, John was selected as the Department Chair of the newly created Computer Sciences, Technology & Business Department as a culmination of our reorganization under the Alamo Institutes Model.