Dr. Ayad Barsoum is the interim chair of computer science and graduate programs director for cybersecurity at St. Mary's University in San Antonio. 

In this episode, Barsoum discusses how the school’s NSA/DHS Center of Academic Excellence designation translates into real value for students, rigorous standards, shared resources, grants, and internship opportunities, while preparing graduates for both private-sector and government roles.

Barsoum describes building a comprehensive cybersecurity master’s program with a strong technical core plus business/management and law/ethics, and explains the stackable pathway: a 12-credit graduate certificate (four courses) that can be tailored to goals (e.g., cloud, wireless, cryptography, forensics, risk, policy, AI/cyber, CISSP prep) and then fully applied toward the 33-credit MS.

He also outlines prerequisites for non-tech majors, the MS capstone choice between project or research thesis (especially for PhD-bound students), and how the curriculum emphasizes hands-on competence through course projects, demos/defenses, and career supports like internships-for-credit, career fairs, and industry seminars.

More details on Cybersecurity Guide.

Douglas Rausch is and associate professor and program director of cybersecurity at Bellevue University.

Rausch shared his nontraditional path from software and military communications into Air Force cyber operations, and how that experience shapes Bellevue’s workforce-focused cybersecurity program.

He emphasizes mastering the systems you defend, prioritizing risk management and business context, and building adaptable, career-ready skills through flexible online/on-campus options, hands-on cyber range scenarios, and a curriculum aligned with national standards and continuously updated with industry input.

Find more details about this episode at Cybersecurity Guide.

Dr. Lance Fiondella is a professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and the director of the UMass Dartmouth Cybersecurity Center.

Fiondella says cybersecurity is about being reliable and tough: plan, handle problems, bounce back, and adjust. It needs strong tech skills, teamwork across subjects like engineering and policy, and good talking skills. He says to do this work to help make the world safer, steadier, and more peaceful.

Learn more about this episode at 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.

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.

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.