PostNewsWeek Q&A

Found this Q&A session on the on the Government Computer News site GCN.com. Provocative questions were raised regarding diploma mills and the "types" of people who were attending and obtaining these degrees. Obviously many people are manipulated and unaware that they are being scammed; however, there are those who are completely aware and make the unethical decision to pursue such degrees. How are the institutions held accountable? Are these students/employees really less qualified than those with legit degrees? Should a person be fired if an employer finds out that their degree is from a diploma mill?

There are a number of questions regarding Laura Callahan, the deputy CIO of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), who was placed on paid administrative leave after questions surfaced about her academic qualifications. See article for full story on Callahan. The Q&A session begins below:

Question and Answer

Tom Temin, executive editor and moderator:
Welcome to the PostNewsweek Tech Media Forum on diploma mills and federal employment.

The government is grappling with a shortage of human capital, especially in the information technology field. Therefore we feel claims of college and post-graduate degrees from bogus or unaccredited institutions is central to the quality, credibility and trustworthiness of the federal workforce--a group of people we respect and in many cases admire.

Because of the volume of feedback we have received on our coverage, we wanted to hold this forum to further air your views and answer whatever questions we are qualified to answer.

Most of your questions will be answered by Patience Wait and Wilson Dizard III, the Washington Technology and GCN reporters who have been on this beat. Click here for the rest.