NUARI and Norwich University -  Pioneering Innovation at the Cyber Fusion Center

On April 25, 2025, Norwich University officially broke ground on the new 13,000-square-foot Cyber Fusion Research and Development Center (CFC) site. Senator Patrick Leahy, Lt Gen John Broadmeadow, USMC (Ret.), 25th President of Norwich University, and Phil Susmann, President of NUARI, delivered remarks about this project's significance and far-reaching impacts.

In remarks delivered at the ceremony, NUARI’s president said, “This space is not designed as a classroom facility or dedicated to one particular discipline; it is a flexible space for projects and research and to the Partridge tradition of experiential education.”

The innovative Cyber Fusion Center at Norwich University is set to become a cornerstone of cutting-edge research and idea creation, hosting a Security Operations Center, collaborative work environments, multipurpose meeting and event spaces, classrooms, and various labs. This state-of-the-art facility is designed to integrate the strengths of multiple disciplines, including cybersecurity and advanced computing, criminology, communications, and geointelligence, creating a comprehensive academic space that fosters collaboration and innovation.

The externally focused facility further paves the way for Norwich faculty and students, in cooperation with NUARI staff, to explore idea creation in partnership with the private sector, military, and government. This collaboration creates a fertile ground for innovation, leveraging the strengths of diverse expertise to address national security challenges effectively.

“Norwich University extends its sincere gratitude to Senator Patrick Leahy for his unwavering support and advocacy. His robust commitment to constructing a cyber corridor in Vermont echoes his vision and endorsement for this pivotal sector. His astute leadership has been instrumental at every stage, from the inception of cybersecurity education at Norwich to the establishment of the Norwich University Applied Research Institutes (NUARI) to present day. Senator Leahy’s determined efforts successfully secured federal funding for the Cyber Fusion Research and Development Center, marking yet another achievement in his committed journey. This multidisciplinary space promises to yield substantial benefits for numerous Norwich students, the state of Vermont, and globally, through the accomplishments of Norwich alumni.” – LtGen Broadmeadow 

Among his final actions as the Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Leahy allocated funding for projects throughout Vermont, including $16.4 million in Congressionally Directed Spending for the multidisciplinary Cyber Fusion Research and Development Center. The key investment will foster educational and workforce training opportunities in cybersecurity, informational learning, computing, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and real-time decision-making. 

Senator Leahy has been instrumental in supporting the vision of the Cyber Fusion Center, a multidisciplinary hub created to facilitate collaboration among students, faculty, and industry partners. The Center aims to proactively address emerging issues in the cyber landscape through an integrated approach, allocating space to projects for research and experiential education. Senator Leahy, who has been warning about the need for action to respond to cyber threats for years, championed the vision of a cyber corridor from Central Vermont to Burlington. Both Norwich University and Champlain College, recognized as National Center of Academic Excellence – Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) institutions, have consistently collaborated to bolster the cyber community in Vermont.