Photo credit, Griffiss Institute: Pictured, left to right: Mr. Chester “CJ” Maciag, VICEROY National Director, Director of Cyber-Spectrum Academic Engagement, OUSW(R&E), Honorable Joseph S. Jewell, Ph.D., Assistant Secretary of War for Science and Technology, OUSW(R&E) and Dr. Peggy Agouris, Provost, The College of William & Mary
WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — The 2026 VICEROY Symposium, held April 14–16, 2026 at the historic College of William & Mary, brought together senior Department of War (DoW) leaders, academic institutions, industry partners, and the nation’s top emerging cyber-spectrum talent to advance a shared mission: building a mission-ready qualified workforce prepared to defend the United States in an increasingly contested digital and electromagnetic battlespace.
Centered on this year’s theme, “Empowering Mission-Ready Cyber-Spectrum Leaders,” the symposium served as a national platform to align critical technologies, education, and operational readiness across sectors critical to U.S. national security.
“As we work to rebuild the military and re-establish deterrence, we have enlisted VICEROY as an outlet to ensure the department addresses one of our most pressing challenges to national security: recruitment, training and retention for a world-class workforce,” said Honorable Joseph Jewell, PhD, ASW(S&T). “Aligning innovative research with the critical needs of the department is vital to both our economic and national security. As we approach the 250th anniversary of the United States, the VICEROY initiative continues our Founding Fathers’ legacy of innovation and vigilance, ensuring past sacrifices will forge a secure and prosperous future for all Americans.”
The three-day event showcased the depth and impact of the VICEROY program through hands-on competition, cutting-edge research, and direct engagement with leaders from the Department and the Defense Industrial Base:
- Gilded Guardian National Cyber Competition (Finale):
The culminating event of the VICEROY National Cyber Competition Series, where elite scholar teams engaged real-world threats in a high-intensity, cyber operational environment; demonstrating mission-ready capability and decision-making under pressure. - Student Research & Poster Sessions:
VICEROY scholars presented top-tier research aligned to critical technology areas, offering tangible solutions to challenges in cyber operations, data science, and electromagnetic spectrum dominance. - Leadership & Workforce Development Panels:
Senior DoW officials and subject matter experts emphasized the urgency of building a resilient cyber-spectrum workforce, reinforcing the importance of experiential learning, student upskilling, and operational immersion. - “Answer the Call” Premiere:
A powerful capstone moment, the debut of the VICEROY “Answer the Call” highlighted the human dimension of service capturing the passion, purpose, and potential of the next generation of cyber-spectrum leaders and the importance of this critical work path.
The VICEROY Initiative continues to distinguish itself as a cornerstone of the Department’s talent development strategy connecting academia, government, and industry to accelerate the identification, education, and deployment of qualified cyber-spectrum professionals.
Through hands-on experiential learning opportunities such as the MAVEN and ENVOY internships, real-world competitions, and Virtual Institute partnerships, VICEROY provides scholars with direct pathways into mission-critical roles supporting the DoW and the broader defense ecosystem.
“What we witnessed this week at William & Mary is exactly what the future of our national security workforce must look like: technically elite, operationally experienced, and driven by service,” said Mr. Chester “CJ” Maciag, VICEROY National Director. “VICEROY is not just preparing students for careers, we are developing leaders ready to operate, adapt, and win in the cyber-spectrum fight beginning on Day One of employment. This is how we rebuild readiness. This is how we answer the call.”
Hosted in Williamsburg, America’s “National Alma Mater,” the symposium’s setting underscored a powerful connection between the nation’s founding principles and its future defense priorities. As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, VICEROY stands as a modern extension of that legacy: fostering creative ingenuity, strengthening resilience, and safeguarding freedom through education and service.
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About VICEROY
Authorized under the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), VICEROY is a mission-focused cyber-spectrum leadership development pathway that unites specialized cyber institutes though one Virtual Institute of higher learning. By integrating foundational education, experiential learning, and operational application, the initiative equips the next generation of leaders with the skills necessary to meet evolving national defense challenges in cyber and electromagnetic spectrum operations.
VICEROY directly addresses defense readiness requirements by increasing the pipeline of mission-capable professionals. This ensures that the Department of War (DoW) and vital industries have access to upskilled talent ready to fill critical research and operational positions and contribute effectively on Day One.
Media Contact:
Ms. Pamela D. Mustee
Engagement and Communications Lead, VICEROY
Email: Pamela.d.mustee.ctr@mail.mil
Phone: (315) 749-8324