CyberNINES CEO Appointed Chair of The Cyber AB’s C3PAO Advisory Council

MADISON, WI, UNITED STATES, August 14, 2025 — CyberNINES CEO Scott Singer has been appointed Chair of The Cyber AB’s inaugural C3PAO Advisory Council.

The Cyber AB will leverage the Council as a primary source of advice and feedback, both for its role as an ISO/IEC 17011:2017-compliant accreditation body and to help shape the CMMC Ecosystem. The Council will provide insights on assessment methodologies, CMMC implementation, and emerging technologies relevant to the program.

As co-founder and CEO of CyberNINES, Scott brings more than 30 years of experience, including active duty and reserve service in the U.S. Navy. He has deep expertise in regulatory frameworks and government contracting, including FAR, DFARS, and NIST SP 800-171. Scott has testified before Congress on CMMC Implementation: What It Means for Small Businesses.

“It’s an honor to serve as Chair of The Cyber AB’s C3PAO Advisory Council at such a critical moment for the CMMC Program. Our goal is to ensure we are meeting the rigorous certification requirements while supporting our Defense Industrial Base (DIB). I look forward to working alongside my fellow Council members to provide guidance, promote best practices, and help strengthen cybersecurity across the entire CMMC Ecosystem.”
— Scott Singer, CEO, CyberNINES

Members of the C3PAO Advisory Council volunteer their time and serve in a non-compensatory capacity. Each member will serve a two-year term and oversee specialized committees on accreditation, assessment guidance, external services, and the CMMC Assessment Process (CAP).

About CyberNINES

As an authorized CMMC Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO), CyberNINES provides COMPLIANCE WITHOUT COMPLEXITY^® delivering expert assessments, remediation, and full journey consulting to businesses nationwide. CyberNINES is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) focused on those supporting the U.S. Department of Defense. Their mission is to guide businesses through their entire cybersecurity journey, protecting critical systems and information from ever-evolving threats.

For more information, visit: https://cybernines.com.

MMSD Engages Improve Your Tomorrow to Support College-Focused, Historically Underserved High School Students

MADISON, Wis.—The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) has contracted with Improve Your Tomorrow (IYT), a national educational nonprofit that specializes in supporting young men of color on their journey to and through college, to provide mentoring, academic supports and culturally responsive programming in select MMSD schools for the 2025–26 and 2026–27 school years.

The organization’s mission is to dramatically increase the number of Black male students who graduate from college. The organization’s model is rooted in building long-term, trusting relationships with students, strengthening their connection to school and helping them see themselves as college-bound and career-ready. 

“We see this as a direct investment in a demographic of our high school students who have historically been underserved,” said Mary Jankovich, MMSD’s executive director of college, career and community readiness. “IYT’s approach provides the mentorship and support that help students envision themselves as college graduates and leaders in their communities.”

Through its College Academy program, the nonprofit works with students across multiple years to build a foundation for success. Year one emphasizes relationships and belonging; year two focuses on improved attendance and positive behavior; and year three highlights measurable academic growth. This staged approach helps schools and districts track progress over time and ensures that the work leads to sustainable outcomes.

“We know that students thrive when they feel connected, affirmed and supported,” said Dr. Carlettra Stanford, MMSD’s assistant superintendent of schools and learning. “IYT’s programming is designed to create those conditions while also addressing key drivers of student success, from attendance to academics. It’s a holistic model that aligns with our district’s goals.”

In addition to mentoring and academic support, IYT also provides enrichment opportunities designed to expose students to college campuses, career pathways and leadership development. These experiences help students build confidence, expand their networks and prepare for life after high school.

The district selected IYT after reviewing its proven success in other districts, where participants demonstrated higher levels of engagement, improved graduation rates, and increased enrollment in postsecondary education. MMSD will work closely with IYT to track outcomes and ensure that the program is meeting the needs of Madison students. All services will be provided at no cost to families, and outcomes will be reviewed annually to guide future improvements. 

To learn more about the opportunities available to MMSD high school, including its early college academies, please visit the MMSD website. 

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About the Madison Metropolitan School District

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin, serving more than 25,000 students across 52 schools. The district’s vision is that every school will be a thriving school that prepares every student to graduate ready for college, career and community. With more than 6,000 teachers and staff, MMSD is committed to ensuring the district’s goals and core values are held at the center of its efforts, so students can learn, belong and thrive. For more information, visit mmsd.org.

Oakwood Village Prairie Ridge campus marks 25 years of meeting needs in Madison

State, county and local leaders gathered at Oakwood Village’s Prairie Ridge campus on Wednesday, July 30 to mark a quarter century for this community that serves older adults.

In 2000, longtime local nonprofit Oakwood Village responded to growing demand with the launch of a new continuing care community, on an 18-acre site 10 miles east of downtown Madison. Oakwood Village Prairie Ridge has expanded in the years since, and now offers nearly 300 apartments, multiple stages of assisted living support, memory care, and skilled nursing. Residents also enjoy a gym, salon, outdoor spaces, a volunteer-run store, and multiple restaurants.

Dane County Executive Melissa Agard, Congressman Mark Pocan, and Madison Deputy Mayor Katie Crawley joined Oakwood leadership and residents for a joyful celebration in the campus’ Tree of Life Chapel. A highlight was the multiple residents in attendance who have lived at Prairie Ridge since its founding.

“Over the past quarter century, this campus has served as a cornerstone for countless families across Dane County,” Agard said. “… As County Executive, I’m especially grateful for partners like Oakwood Village, who share in our mission of building a Dane County where everyone can thrive.”

President and CEO Jan Hamilton-Crawford emphasized that Prairie Ridge is more than just buildings: It’s a living community of laughter, friendships, dedicated caregivers, and peaceful surroundings, a place where dignity and independence take center stage. The ceremony was a chance not just to reflect on the past, she said, but to renew a commitment to a future that prioritizes well-being and happiness.

“I am grateful today that our community, this greater Madison area, gets to have such a beautiful facility that continues to understand the needs of our community and the needs of the residents who come here,” Joy Mortensen-Wiebe, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America South Central Synod, said in a recorded message for those in attendance.

About Oakwood Village

Oakwood Village is a nonprofit, continuing care community with two campuses in Madison, Wisconsin. For over 75 years, this community has helped older adults lead lives of personal growth, happiness, health, and security.

Dupaco Foundation awards $250,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations

DUBUQUE, Iowa – The Dupaco Foundation awarded $250,000 in grants to 35 nonprofit organizations across Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin.

Support provided through the Nonprofit Grant Program will make a direct impact in the following areas:

• Affordable housing and homeownership
• Upskilling and reskilling
• Small business development

“The Dupaco Foundation board believes that strong communities are built through opportunity, equity and collaboration,” said Joe Hearn, Dupaco Foundation Secretary and President/CEO of Dupaco Community Credit Union.

“These grants are more than financial support – they’re investments in people, in potential and in the future of our region. We’re proud to stand alongside these nonprofits as they create lasting impact.”

The 2025 grant recipients are tackling some of the region’s most pressing challenges—from housing insecurity to workforce development—by delivering innovative, community-rooted solutions. Together, these organizations serve thousands of individuals and families, helping to build stronger, more resilient communities.

2025 Dupaco Foundation Nonprofit Grant Awardees:

• Bluff Strokes Art Center, Dubuque, IA – $5,000
• Catherine McAuley Center, Cedar Rapids, IA – $10,000
• Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Dubuque, Dubuque, IA – $5,000
• Christian Community Development (DBA House of Hope), Waterloo, IA – $5,000
• Common Wealth Development, Madison, WI – $5,000
• Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, Dubuque, IA – $20,000
• Community Solutions of Eastern Iowa (CSEI), Dubuque, IA – $5,000
• Dubuque Community YMCA Crisis Services Shelter, Dubuque, IA – $5,000
• Dubuque St. Vincent de Paul, Dubuque, IA – $5,000
• Feed Iowa First, Cedar Rapids, IA – $20,000
• Four Mounds Foundation-HEART Partnership, Dubuque, IA – $10,000
• Four Oaks Family and Children’s Services, Cedar Rapids, IA – $10,000
• Friends of St. Mary’s (DBA Steeple Square), Dubuque, IA – $5,000
• Friends of the Family, Waterloo, IA – $5,000
• Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity, Des Moines, IA – $5,000
• Hills & Dales, Dubuque, IA – $10,000
• Hope Community Development Association (Hope CDA), Cedar Rapids, IA – $10,000
• Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity, Waterloo, IA – $10,000
• Key City Creative Center, Dubuque, IA – $5,000
• Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI), Des Moines, IA – $5,000
• Madison Northside Planning Council, Inc., Madison, WI – $5,000
• NewBo City Market, Cedar Rapids, IA – $5,000
• Oakridge Neighborhood Services, Des Moines, IA – $5,000
• ONE Cedar Valley, Waterloo, IA – $5,000
• One City United, Waterloo, IA – $10,000
• Operation Empower, Dubuque, IA – $5,000
• Operation Fresh Start, Madison, WI – $5,000
• Presentation Lantern Center, Dubuque, IA – $10,000
• Project IOWA, Des Moines, IA – $5,000
• Southwest Wisconsin Technical College Foundation, Inc., Fennimore, IA – $10,000
• The Arc of East Central Iowa, Cedar Rapids, IA – $5,000
• The Dream Center, Iowa City, IA – $5,000
• The Fountain of Youth Program, Dubuque, IA – $5,000
• The Iowa Center, Des Moines, IA – $5,000
• United Way of Dane County, Madison, WI – $5,000

The Foundation board reviewed 115 applications from nonprofit organizations designated as 501(c)3 public charities. Proposals were evaluated on several factors, including program alignment with the foundation’s focus areas, how the plan addresses the need, potential for measurable outcomes and impact.

This marks the second year of the Dupaco Foundation Nonprofit Grant, which awarded $250,000 to 29 organizations in 2024. Since its inception in 2012, the Dupaco Foundation has distributed over $3.2 million in grant funding throughout Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin.

Information regarding the 2026 cycle of the Dupaco Foundation Nonprofit Grant program will be available in early 2026. To learn more about the Dupaco Foundation and its impact, visit www.dupaco.com/ways-we-give.

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ABOUT DUPACO FOUNDATION:
Dupaco R.W. Hoefer Foundation, also known as Dupaco Foundation (the “Foundation”), is a tax-exempt private foundation described in Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3). The Foundation is a separate legal entity from Dupaco Community Credit Union (the “Credit Union”) and is governed by its own Board of Directors and officers. The Foundation was established in 2011 to honor the retirement of 47-year employee and long-time Dupaco Community Credit Union President and CEO, Robert W. “Bob” Hoefer. The Foundation is designed to carry on the Bob Hoefer tradition of providing personal financial assistance and coaching to help hardworking and financially prudent people recover from unforeseen life events and to increase their opportunities for financial stability. Learn more at www.dupaco.com/foundation.

More MMSD Students Taking, Passing AP Courses Than Ever

MADISON, Wis.—Students across the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) achieved record levels of success on Advanced Placement (AP) exams this year, reflecting steady growth in both participation and performance.

This spring, 2,043 MMSD high schoolers completed a total of 4,521 AP exams, reflecting a 10.7% rise in student participation and an 18.9% increase in total exams taken over the previous year. Even more impressive: 80.2% of students scored a 3 or higher, up from 76% the year before. The average exam score also climbed from 3.40 to 3.54, out of a maximum score of 5.

“These are the strongest AP results we’ve seen to date, and they’re evidence of what’s possible when high expectations are paired with high levels of support,” said Tim Peterson, MMSD’s director of assessment. “Our students are continuing to take on academic challenges, and they’re delivering. That speaks volumes about their drive to achieve, as well the commitment of MMSD teachers and school leaders to their success.”

AP courses are designed to reflect the rigor of introductory college classes. Students who score a 3 or higher may earn college credit or advanced standing, depending on the policies of the colleges they attend. Participation alone has also been linked to improved postsecondary enrollment and persistence.

The sustained upward trends are the result of both student effort and years of intentional work to expand access across the district’s comprehensive high schools.

“More students are seeing AP as an option that belongs to them,” Peterson added. “We’ve invested in outreach, academic coaching and AVID, and it’s making a difference. Our educators have built a foundation that allows students from all backgrounds to succeed in these courses.”

MMSD offers a wide range of AP classes across its high schools, covering subjects in math, science, English, history and music theory, among others. The district has also partnered with schools to remove barriers to entry and to ensure that historically underrepresented students are supported throughout their AP experience.

Families interested in learning more about Advanced Placement offerings are encouraged to review course catalogs on their high school’s website or speak with their school counselor.

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About the Madison Metropolitan School District: The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin, serving more than 25,000 students across 52 schools. The district’s vision is that every school will be a thriving school that prepares every student to graduate ready for college, career and community. With more than 6,000 teachers and staff, MMSD is committed to ensuring the district’s goals and core values are held at the center of its efforts, so students can learn, belong and thrive. For more information, visit mmsd.org.