Michael Nizich

Michael Nizich serves as Director of the Entrepreneurship and Technology Innovation Center (ETIC) and Adjunct Associate Professor of Computer Science in the College of Engineering & Computing Sciences at New York Institute of Technology. He additionally directs the NSA/DHS-designated Center of Academic Excellence for Cybersecurity Education and holds board positions with Long Island STEM Hub, Long Island Innovation Hot Spot, and (ISC)2 Long Island Chapter.

Dr. Nizich holds a Ph.D. and brings over 25 years of cross-industry IT leadership experience spanning aviation, law enforcement, biotechnology, and cybersecurity sectors. His teaching career exceeds 15 years across classroom, laboratory, and online environments at New York Tech since 2016.

His research integrates cybersecurity with emerging technologies through interdisciplinary applications. Key focus areas include quantum computing workforce development (evidenced by his 2023 book The Cybersecurity Workforce of Tomorrow), experiential learning models for quantum programmers, and bridging technical domains with fields like medicine and veterinary science. The ETIC serves as his primary innovation platform, driving projects such as NASA prototyping contracts and E.R.R.S.E.L.A. robotics.

Recent publications reveal strong interdisciplinary trends, connecting computer science with medical education, equine biomechanics, and law enforcement procedures. His work consistently emphasizes practical applications and educational innovation, particularly in cybersecurity training and quantum technology adoption.

His professional recognitions include:

• Long Island Business News POWER 25 Education (2020)
• Presidential Excellence Award for Part Time Faculty (2020)
• Presidential Excellence Award Team Award (2020)
• LISTnet Company Honoree for ETIC

Dr. Nizich actively mentors students through capstone projects and NASA-funded prototyping teams. The ETIC secures substantial external funding including multi-year NASA contracts and federal cybersecurity designations. His courses like Senior Project Capstone and Information Security Engineering provide direct pathways for student involvement in funded research.

The ETIC functions as a comprehensive innovation ecosystem with programs spanning AISTETIC (AI development), iNTEREST entrepreneurship initiatives, and YouTube-based educational content. This structure facilitates collaboration between students, faculty, industry partners, and government agencies while advancing cybersecurity and quantum computing research on Long Island.