Roadtrip Nation and University of Maryland University College to Premiere Cybersecurity Documentary “Life Hackers”

Roadtrip Nation, renowned for its New York Times best-selling career guide and award-winning documentary television series, announced today that its new one-hour cybersecurity documentary "Life Hackers" will air on American Public Television stations nationally starting on June 15, 2017. Distributed through KQED, the film was made possible through a collaboration with the University of Maryland University College (UMUC).

Recent headlines about global cyberattacks, cybercrime, and cyberespionage demonstrate the need for qualified professionals with the skills to succeed in cybersecurity-a field that is growing 12 times faster than the average American industry.

"Cybersecurity is becoming an even more relevant field to each of our daily lives. We collaborated with UMUC on this film to highlight stories of real-world leaders who continue to challenge misunderstood stereotypical images in the cybersecurity sector, and further reveal the many opportunities available to individuals in this career space," said Mike Marriner, cofounder of Roadtrip Nation.

UMUC has enrolled and graduated thousands of cybersecurity students in the past five years, answering a call from military and business leaders for a new generation of specialists to protect vital digital resources. The university serves more than 85,000 students worldwide each year (more than half of whom are active duty military personnel, dependents and veterans) and is one of the largest distance-learning institutions in the world.

"Cybersecurity is one of the 21st century's most exciting, challenging and important career fields, and UMUC was pleased and proud to partner with Roadtrip Nation on the 'Life Hackers' project," said UMUC President Javier Miyares.

The road-trippers featured in the film have unique backgrounds and challenges, but all possess a passion for cybersecurity. Mansi Thakar is pursuing a master's degree in cybersecurity operations and leadership, Emily Cox recently discovered a love for the field after attending an immersive coding bootcamp, and Antwan King is enrolled in a master's program in digital forensics and cyber investigation.

The "Life Hackers" road-trippers began their journey in New York City and traveled across the country with highlighted stops in Maryland, New Orleans, Austin, and Los Angeles, meeting with people working in various specializations within the cybersecurity field all along the way. From interviews with Stuart McClure, the founder and CEO of Cylance, to Window Snyder, chief security officer at Fastly, as well as a guided tour of the National Cryptologic Museum, the month-long trip introduced them to all types of cybersecurity careers they never knew existed, or had previously considered to be out of reach. As Founder and CEO of Women's Society of Cyberjutsu Lisa Jiggetts tells the road-trippers in the film, "Just go for-what's the worst thing that can happen?"

To watch "Life Hackers" or to find local broadcast airtimes, visit: rtn.is/cybersecurity

To learn more about the project on social media channels, follow @RoadtripNation, @UMUC, and #CybersecurityRoadtrip on Twitter.

About Roadtrip Nation
Roadtrip Nation, renowned for its New York Times best-selling career guide, award-winning documentary television series, and acclaimed classroom curriculum, is a career exploration organization that creates content, products, and experiences to help individuals pursue fulfilling careers. Combining self-reflection with real-world exposure, Roadtrip Nation's tools enable youth to connect their interests to relevant life pathways and stay engaged with their futures. For more information, visit roadtripnation.com and roadtripnation.org.

About University of Maryland University College
UMUC is a world leader in innovative educational models, with award-winning online programs in disciplines including biotechnology, cybersecurity, data analytics, and information technology that are in high demand in today's increasingly technical, global workplace. Now celebrating its 70th anniversary, UMUC offers open access with a global footprint and a specific mission-to meet the learning needs of adult students whose responsibilities may include jobs, family and military service. For more information about UMUC, visit umuc.edu

About KQED Public Television
KQED Public Television, the PBS affiliate that serves Northern California, is one of the country's most popular public television stations. It brings the values of public media to homes around the Bay Area with Emmy Award-winning programming that inspires, informs and entertains, including Masterpiece Classic: Downton Abbey, Masterpiece Mystery: Sherlock, American Experience, American Masters, Great Performances, POV, Independent Lens, NOVA and Nature. KQED produces local series like Check, Please! Bay Area, KQED NEWSROOM, San Francisco Opera, Truly CA and ImageMakers, as well as popular programs for national broadcast such as Film School Shorts, Essential Pépin and QUEST. KQED also distributes programming to public media stations across the country including The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!, Roadtrip Nation and Joanne Weir's Gets Fresh. For more information, please visit kqed.org/tv.

About American Public Television
American Public Television (APT) has been a leading distributor of high-quality, top-rated programming to America's public television stations since 1961. Since 2004, APT has distributed approximately half of the top 100 highest-rated public television titles. Among its 300 new program titles per year are prominent documentaries, news and current affairs programs, dramatic series, how-to programs, children's series and classic movies, including For Love of Liberty: The Story of America's Black Patriots, A Ripple of Hope, Rick Steves' Europe, Newsline, Globe Trekker, Simply Ming, Joseph Rosendo's Travelscope, America's Test Kitchen From Cook's Illustrated, Lidia's Italy, P. Allen Smith's Garden Home, Midsomer Murders, Moyers & Company, Doc Martin, Rosemary & Thyme, BBC World News, The Rat Pack: Live and Swingin', Johnny Mathis: Wonderful, Wonderful! and John Denver: The Wildlife Concert. APT also licenses programs internationally through its APT Worldwide service. In 2006, APT launched and nationally distributed Create - the TV channel featuring the best of public television's lifestyle programming. APT is also a partner in the WORLD channel expansion project including its web presence at WORLDchannel.org. For more information about APT's programs and services, visit APTonline.org. For more information on Create, visit CreateTV.com.

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