Faculty Spotlight: Michael Nowatkowski, PhD

Recipient of the Outstanding Faculty for School of Computer and Cyber Sciences Award

Michael Nowatkowski, PhD, had a full career before starting his next chapter at Augusta University. 

After graduating from college on an ROTC scholarship, he spent the next 26 years on a variety of assignments for the U.S. Army, including eight years teaching at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, before arriving in Augusta at then-Fort Gordon (now Fort Eisenhower) for his final assignment in 2015.   

After retiring from the military, Nowatkowski was offered a job as an associate professor in the Cyber Institute at Augusta University in August 2016, kickstarting his foray into the world of cyber sciences.  

He has risen through the ranks in the School of Computer and Cyber Sciences over the last eight years, now serving as director of the Cyber Institute, the head of the Cyber Programs of Study and professor. 

“My favorite part about being a part of SCCS is getting to interact with students outside of the classroom,” Nowatkowski said. 

He is encouraged by the number of students involved in the Cybertronics Makers Club, Cyber Competition Teams, Scholarship for Service, CodeHoppers, among other cyber programs.  

“It is great to see students learning out of the classroom and applying what they learn in the classroom,” he said. 

Cyber sciences is on the rise across the nation, and the sky is the limit for the veteran at AU. 

“I would love to see the cyber programs continue to grow at AU.”