Monmouth College enhances computer science program
Cybersecurity, applied AI, web development added in partnership with Rize Education
Monmouth, Ill. (04/09/2026) — This fall, Monmouth College will launch a significant enhancement to its computer science program through a partnership with Rize Education, a national leader in career-aligned program design. Monmouth's computer science students will be able to pursue one of three new concentrations - cybersecurity, applied artificial intelligence and web development - giving them a sharper, more targeted path into the technology careers shaping the modern world.
"Monmouth has always been a place where students are known, challenged and prepared to make a real difference," said President Patricia Draves. "This expansion reflects that same commitment. These concentrations are not just responsive to where the workforce is today - they are built for where it is going. We want every Monmouth graduate to walk across that stage ready for success in an evolving world."
The new concentrations were designed to meet the urgent and growing demand for technically skilled professionals. The cybersecurity concentration prepares students to protect digital infrastructure against an increasingly sophisticated threat landscape, equipping them with the tools to defend organizations across industries. The applied AI concentration positions students at the frontier of one of the most consequential shifts in modern technology - blending foundational theory with hands-on application to build skills employers are actively seeking. The web development concentration trains students to design and build the digital products and platforms that power today's economy.
"Our partnership with Rize lets us continue to deliver a close-knit, student-centered computing program while providing students with new, career-ready concentrations and a massive expansion to our course catalog," said computer science professor Logan Mayfield.
The launch deepens Monmouth's ongoing investment in work-connected learning within a liberal arts framework. Students in these concentrations will pair technical depth with the critical thinking, communication and ethical reasoning that have always defined a Monmouth education - a combination that employers increasingly value in complex, fast-changing fields.
"The world needs technology professionals who can not only build and secure systems, but who understand the human stakes of the work they do," said Mark Willhardt, Monmouth's vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty. "At Monmouth, students will develop both. These concentrations give them the technical credentials to compete and the perspective to lead responsibly."
Prospective students interested in the enhanced computer science program are encouraged to connect with an admission counselor and to visit monmouthcollege.edu to learn more and explore enrollment options.
Rize Education partners with more than 130 colleges and universities to develop career-focused, hybrid format academic programs aligned with current workforce demands. The company excels in creating specialized tracks that enhance student employability in high-growth industries. Learn more at www.rize.education.
Media Attachments
LOGAN MAYFIELD: “Our partnership with Rize lets us continue to deliver a close-knit, student-centered computing program while providing students with new, career-ready concentrations and a massive expansion to our course catalog."