Cybersecurity Guide

Dr. Todd R. Andel is the Dean of the School of Computing at the University of South Alabama, a former U.S. Air Force officer with 23 years of service.In this episode he explains how industry and government partnerships help keep coursework aligned with real-world threats, highlights hands-on learning through labs like digital forensics and hardware security, and shares internship pathways that connect students to regional defense and technology employers. He closes the episode by encouraging students to see cybersecurity’s fast pace as an advantage and to stay curious, adaptable, and committed to continual learning.

Dr. Fan Wu is the head of Computer Science at Tuskegee University and director of the National Center of Information Assurance Education, with a WPI PhD and over 20 years of leadership advancing hands-on cybersecurity education and research.Dr. Wu discusses how Tuskegee University prepares cybersecurity students through a full BS–MS–PhD pathway, strong hands-on learning (labs, research, internships), and support programs that can reduce student debt. He also highlights key trends like the growing overlap of cybersecurity with AI/data science and other emerging technologies, and advises students to build solid coding and teamwork skills.Read more on CybersecurityGuide.

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.

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.

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.