“NOVA’s Cloud Computing program is more than coursework. It’s a gateway to one of the fastest-growing fields in technology. Through industry partnerships, hands-on learning, and career guidance, the program prepares students to step directly into high-demand roles.”
Shahpar Islam has been a Cloud Computing professor at NOVA since 2019. He began his career as a network and systems engineer, and as cloud technology evolved, he recognized its potential to transform how organizations design, deploy, and scale their IT infrastructure. He went on to spend more than a decade at Amazon Web Services (AWS) as a Solutions Architect, working on real-world projects across both the public and private sectors.
“My passion for teaching and the desire to prepare the next generation for a cloud-driven economy brought me to NOVA, where I could combine industry expertise with academic mentorship,” he says.
NOVA’s Cloud Computing program equips students with both foundational IT skills and specialized cloud expertise. The curriculum blends theoretical knowledge with hands-on labs and industry-aligned projects, focusing primarily on AWS while also integrating networking, cybersecurity, DevOps, and AI concepts to prepare well-rounded cloud professionals.
According to Shahpar, the program stands out from others in the region because of:
- Industry Integration: Close alignment with AWS Academy and other industry partners keeps the curriculum current and certification-focused.
- Hands-On Learning: Students gain extensive experience in live AWS environments, not just simulations.
- Pathway to Careers: The program embeds industry certifications, internship opportunities, and strong connections to local employers, including federal agencies and tech firms in Northern Virginia’s “Data Center Alley.”
Courses that directly prepare students for real-world roles include:
- ITN 257 – AWS Academy Cloud Foundations: Builds the core cloud literacy essential for any cloud role.
- ITN 254 – AWS Academy Cloud Architecting: Prepares students for solution architecture positions through design and deployment projects.
- ITN 213 – AWS Skill Builder Storage & Security Courses: Focuses on specialized AWS services critical for careers in cloud storage management and security.
One of the most popular labs is the Serverless Web Application Deployment project, where students build a fully functional, scalable web app using AWS Lambda, API Gateway, DynamoDB, and S3. This hands-on project offers practical experience with modern cloud-native architectures and produces a tangible portfolio piece for employers.
Because the tech field evolves rapidly, faculty review AWS’s latest service updates, participate in AWS Educator training, and stay in direct contact with local employers to track skill demand. They also hold current AWS certifications and work on industry projects, ensuring their teaching reflects the latest best practices.
Students gain hands-on experience with:
- AWS services such as EC2, VPC, IAM, CloudFormation, and SageMaker
- DevOps tools including Git, CodePipeline, and Docker
- Security tools for compliance and monitoring, such as AWS Security Hub and GuardDuty
The program also gives students access to industry-recognized certifications, including AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner and AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate. NOVA supports students with AWS Academy resources, exam readiness workshops, practice exams, and, in some cases, voucher discounts.
Graduates can pursue careers such as:
- Cloud Solutions Architect
- Cloud Support Engineer
- DevOps Engineer
- Cloud Security Specialist
- Data Center Operations Technician
Many also use the program as a pathway to four-year degrees in computer science, information technology, or cybersecurity.
Recently, one of Shahpar’s students transitioned from a non-technical retail role to a junior cloud engineer position at a federal contractor in under a year, crediting AWS Solutions Architect training, networking events, and NOVA’s career support.
Partnerships with AWS Academy, the Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC), and federal agencies bring guest lectures, mentorship opportunities, and direct recruitment pipelines to students. Those who are curious about technology, willing to problem-solve, and adaptable to new tools thrive in the program, whether they have prior IT experience or are new to the field.
Shahpar’s advice for newcomers: “Start with an open mind and a growth mindset. Cloud computing is vast, but our program breaks it into manageable steps. Don’t be afraid to experiment in the labs and ask questions. Hands-on learning is where the ‘aha!’ moments happen.”
Emerging trends in cloud computing are shaping the future and creating new career paths, including:
- Generative AI integration in the cloud
- Serverless architectures
- Multi-cloud and hybrid solutions
- Cloud security automation
Beyond the classroom, Shahpar leads the NOVA Cloud Computing Club, a student-run group that shares cloud knowledge, works on collaborative projects, and prepares for certifications. The club hosts guest speakers from industry, runs AWS GameDays, and participates in cloud hackathons, giving students valuable networking opportunities and practical skills. For more information, visit the Nighthawks Cloud website.
Prof. Islam can be reached at sislam1@nvcc.edu