Rick Lopez, an Associate Professor at Northeast Lakeview College (NLC) and former IT consultant.Lopez explains he moved from industry to academia to “transfer skills,” using his Fortune 500 consulting background to teach students not just technical skills but also business communication and big-picture thinking. Northeast Lakeview’s NSA Center of Academic Excellence designation drives a hands-on, workforce-ready curriculum, reinforced by labs, virtual environments, and the highly ranked NightHax competition team. Students gain experience through capture-the-flag–style competitions, conferences (like Texas Cyber Summit and BSides San Antonio), and Tech Talks with industry leaders, which also help them network and understand hiring trends. Looking ahead, Lopez emphasizes that students should build skills in cloud computing, data analytics, and AI/automation, as these areas are increasingly central to cybersecurity careers.Find more on this episode on Cybersecurity Guide.
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Justin Williams | Mount Aloysius College
Justin Williams, is an instructor and chairperson of the Information Technology Department at Mount Aloysius College.Williams shares his personal journey into cybersecurity, starting as a student passionate about understanding cyber threats and now guiding the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.He discusses the hands-on learning opportunities available in Mount Aloysius’ NSA and DHS-recognized cybersecurity programs, including digital forensics, ethical hacking, and more.Williams also provides advice for students considering a career in cybersecurity and discusses emerging trends like AI and quantum computing that will shape the future of the field.Find the full episode on Cybersecurity Guide.
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Shane Allen | OSU-OKC
Shane Allen, an assistant professor of Information Systems and Technologies at Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma City.Shane discussed his academic and professional journey, including his early experiences with cybersecurity at Electronic Data Systems. He described the student-centric approach at OSU-OKC, which offers an Associate of Applied Science in IT with a cybersecurity track and a Bachelor of Technology in IT with a cybersecurity concentration. These programs provide a progressive learning pathway with a focus on hands-on, asynchronous online learning. Shane emphasized the importance of a well-rounded education combined with industry certifications to prepare students for diverse careers in the rapidly evolving cybersecurity field.Find more details about this episode.
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An Interview with Albena Asenova-Belal | Gwinnett Technical College
Albena Asenova-Belal is a cybersecurity instructor at Gwinnett Technical College with a diverse background in engineering, data analysis, and education.This episode focuses on how the college’s award-winning cybersecurity program is empowering the next generation of cyber defenders. The program is NSA and DHS-accredited, ensuring the curriculum aligns with the skills needed to succeed in the field. Students gain hands-on experience through simulation labs and competitions, with Gwinnett Tech students recently winning gold medals at SkillsUSA.FInd more info on Cybersecurity Guide.
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Don Easton | Lane Community College
Don Easton is the faculty lead for the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Cybersecurity program at Lane Community College. He has extensive experience in information security, cloud computing, digital forensics, and other technical areas.Find complete episode details on Cybersecurity Guide.
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