GSW students earn pro certification in new cutting-edge IT server management course

AMERICUS, Ga (Feb. 6, 2025) – Two students at Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW), David Harrison of Fayetteville and Jasmine Sparks of Americus, earned the prestigious Hybrid Server Pro certification as part of the new IT Server Management course, a cutting-edge addition to the University’s Information Technology curriculum. Designed to prepare students for the ever-evolving demands of the tech industry, the course integrates foundational server management concepts with hands-on experience in administering hybrid environments, including Windows Server 2022 and Azure Cloud.

Offered for the first time in Fall 2025, the IT Server Management course is part of GSW’s initiative to modernize its curriculum, enhance job readiness, and achieve accreditation from the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). This rigorous, performance-based certification evaluates real-world proficiencies in Active Directory, domain services, Windows Server file and storage management, virtualization, and networking services. Both students excelled in demonstrating their skills in on-premises and cloud environments, reflecting the high-quality instruction and learning opportunities provided by the course.

“This course is a testament to GSW’s commitment to staying ahead of industry trends and preparing our students for the workforce,” said Jonathan Hobbs, D. Sc., assistant professor of Information Technology and instructor for the course. “The hands-on experience and emphasis on hybrid environments give our students a competitive edge. Seeing David and Jasmine earn their Hybrid Server Pro certifications was incredibly rewarding and highlights the real-world impact of this course.”

The course utilizes a Hybrid Server Pro: Core curriculum, which bridges the gap between traditional server management and modern cloud integration. Students engaged with interactive videos, lab simulations, fact sheets, and assessments to master key topics, including managing IP addressing, implementing DNS, configuring Active Directory objects, creating group policies, and managing hybrid networking connectivity. The curriculum’s 105 interactive labs provided invaluable hands-on practice, including tasks such as deploying desktop shortcuts in group policies, configuring Azure virtual machines, and managing on-premises storage services.

The IT program at GSW continues to lead and adapt while aligning with the rigorous standards set by ABET, the gold standard for accreditation in applied and natural science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology programs. ABET accreditation is crucial for ensuring that programs meet the quality benchmarks valued by students, employers, and the industry at large. This alignment benefits current students and also strengthens their appeal to future employers, providing them with a competitive advantage in the workforce.

The success of this pilot course highlights the strength and growing reputation of GSW’s IT and Computer Science programs. As the University continues to adapt its curriculum to meet the needs of a dynamic workforce, students are provided with unparalleled opportunities to excel in their fields and make a significant impact in their careers.

For more information about GSW’s IT and Computer Science degrees, visit gsw.edu/IT or contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@gsw.edu.