GSW IT seniors excel in certification exams, highlighting career-ready skills

AMERICUS, GA (Dec. 11, 2026) – Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) continues to raise the bar in technology education with a major success in its innovative Information IT Server Management course. In just its second year, the course has achieved an 80 percent student pass rate for the rigorous Hybrid Server Pro certification, a clear upward trend that highlights the growing strength and real-world value of GSW’s Information Technology (IT) and Computer Science programs.

Offered as part of GSW’s initiative to modernize its IT curriculum and align with ABET accreditation standards, this course provides students with the critical skills needed to manage today’s complex hybrid environments, including Windows Server 2022 and Azure Cloud infrastructure. The impressive certification rate signals that GSW students are more desirable to employers upon graduation, showcasing their proven ability to manage both on-premises and cloud-based systems.

“This upward trend in certification success is more than just a number,” said Jonathan Hobbs, assistant professor of Information Technology. “It’s a strong indicator that our students are not only grasping advanced concepts but are excelling in applying them; a skillset highly valued in today’s IT workforce.”

The Hybrid Server Pro certification is a hands-on, performance-based assessment of skills in Active Directory, Windows Server storage management, virtualization, and network services. Students gain access to 105 interactive labs and practice exercises simulating real-world scenarios, such as configuring Azure virtual machines, managing group policies, and deploying hybrid networking solutions.

Introduced in Fall 2024, the course reflects GSW’s commitment to providing cutting-edge education that keeps pace with industry needs. It also plays a key role in supporting students’ career development and increasing employer confidence in GSW graduates. Employers seeking job-ready professionals now see GSW students as highly capable and competitive candidates in today’s tech-driven job market.

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

Pictured are (left to right) Mashalya Kendrick, David (Lolou) Oyebola, Jedidah Money, and Thomas Newcomb.