Pleasants Set to Bring Cybersecurity Perspective to Trevecca Students | Faculty For Scott Pleasants, cybersecurity is not just a technical field. It’s also about people: what they share online and who they can trust. “Cyber threats are exploiting the human element,” Pleasants said. “It creates unrest.” Pleasants is joining Trevecca as director of strategic initiatives for cyber security, AI and information sciences to educate and equip students about the growing need and urgency for cybersecurity. Pleasants brings experience in Christian higher education, military service, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and Christ-centered leadership. He previously served at Liberty University, where he was one of the founding members of the school’s engineering program. His professional background includes a long career of strategic innovation, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, technology commercialization, strategic partnerships, organizational transformation, higher education strategy, entrepreneurship, civil-military collaboration, leadership development and faith and vocation integration. Pleasants’ work at Trevecca comes at a time when Nashville and Middle Tennessee continue to grow in fields where cybersecurity and information systems are increasingly important. “Nashville is exploding,” Pleasants said, pointing to growth in healthcare, technology, music, film and business. “We’re going to create core partnerships in the Nashville area.” Pleasants said he is helping Trevecca think about artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and information systems, including how those fields will affect students as they prepare for future careers. Regarding his new role, he points to the importance of cybersecurity in healthcare and opportunities to serve military-connected students. Healthcare in particular is what Pleasants sees as a clear need; as more systems rely on artificial intelligence and digital information, the amount of sensitive data creates new risks. “There’s so much information that can be exploited,” Pleasants said. That concern extends beyond organizations. Pleasants said students in every field need to understand how cyber threats work because the risks are increasingly