Michael Hicks Named Distinguished Scholar-Teacher

Michael Hicks, a professor of computer science with appointments in UMIACS and the Maryland Cybersecurity Center (MC2), was named a University of Maryland Distinguished Scholar-Teacher for 2015-2016.

Since 1978, the program has honored a select group of UMD faculty who excel in research and scholarship.

Hicks’s research focuses on developing and evaluating techniques to improve software availability, reliability and security.

He also served as the first director of MC2, one of 16 centers and labs in UMIACS.

“Michael has played an integral role in expanding the size and reputation of the university’s cybersecurity efforts. And his commitment toward working with students—at all levels—is unparalleled,” says Amitabh Varshney, director of UMIACS.

An example of Hicks's innovative approach to cyber education is the Build It, Break It, Fix It cybersecurity competition that he conceived and helped lead in Fall 2014. The international competition drew the interest of students from 61 universities, including 39 from the Maryland campus.

Hicks is the fifth member of UMIACS to receive the Distinguished Scholar-Teacher recognition, joining Jack Minker (1997-1998), Rama Chellappa (2003-2004), Samir Khuller (2007-2008) and Min Wu (2013-2014).

As part of the award, Hicks will give a campus-wide talk on a topic of his choosing later this year.

To learn more about Hicks’s commitment toward educating the next generation of cybersecurity professionals, view this video clip.