Fall_2022_Chronicle_Digital.pdf

C H R O N I C L E
C A P I T O L
HADEN LAND
Celebrating the legacy.
MAKE AN IMPACT
Giving back to make a difference.
FALL
2022
STEM CHALLENGE
Exploring the fun in STEM.
CAPITOL TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY’S BI-ANNUAL PUBLICATION FOR ALUMNI,
FACULTY, STAFF, STUDENTS, PARENTS, AND FRIENDS.

2 | Capitol Chronicle | Fall 2022 3 | Capitol Chronicle | Fall 2022
A Message from the President 02
A History of Dedication 04
Celebrating the legacy of Dr. Haden Land.
Capitol’s 12th Golf Tournament 06
Inaugural STEM Challenge 07
Donor Honor Roll 08
Making an Impact at Capitol 09
How you can make a real difference to the university
Capitol Tech On the Move 10
Over the Hurdle: Esports 12
Capitol Tech’s new esports team is nascent no more.
Faculty Spotlight: Prof. Fatou Sankare 13
Meet Professor Sankare and discover the path that led her to joining
our Capitol Tech community!
Alumni Features 14
Meet more of the talented women behind the Center for Women in
Cyber: Dr. Diane M. Janosek & Dr. Nikki Robbinson
Upcoming Events 15
From webinars to fairs, we’d love to see you at our upcoming events.
A MESSAGE
FROM THE
PRESIDENT
With the beginning of a new school year comes a wave
of new faces, fresh perspectives, and an eagerness to
learn! It has been a wonderful start as the university
welcomes back its students for the Fall 2022 semester.
To accommodate our growing student population and
the evolving employment paths in today’s world, we are
adding unique programs to our roster. This will ensure
that we can continue to provide a variety of degree
options to our students and that applicants from all
over the world can receive an education in a specialized,
relevant field. Capitol remains one of the leading
universities in technology education and continues
to gain international interest due to our cutting-edge
online programs.
This could not be accomplished, however, without the
generous support of our alumni, partners, and Board
of Trustees. On behalf of the university, I thank you.
Your commitment to this institution greatly benefits our
students and guarantees them the highest return on
their investment.
In this issue of the Capitol Chronicle, you will read
about these supporters of our university. The work
of Dr. Haden Land, Trustee Emeritus and retired
Chairman of the Board, as a featured leader of change
for the school; our Scholarship Golf Tournament, which
brought together our partners and supporters towards
raising funds for our students; new partnerships with
organizations that align with our commitment to expand
technology education and develop career professionals;
and many other people who have contributed to our
mission.
Capitol has also been actively recruiting by hosting and
attending several exciting events, including DEF CON for
its 30th anniversary convention, cybersecurity summits,
employment fairs, and more. Our first ever STEM
Challenge Day was a huge success, introducing young
STEM enthusiasts to their future careers in the industry.
We want to spread the word about our excellent
programs, award-winning faculty, and everything that
Capitol has to offer!
We look forward to the rest of this year and Spring 2023
as we have exciting plans for the university and a full
schedule of events on the horizon.
Bradford L. Sims, PhD
President
Bradford L. Sims, PhD
Senior Vice President for Enrollment
Management and Marketing
Dianne M. O’Neill
Director of Communications
Olivia M. Bathersfield
Assistant Director of Communications
Bridget Cook
Erica Decker
Sam Lipscomb
INQUIRIES
Capitol Chronicle:
chronicle@CapTechU.edu
Alumni Relations
advancement@CapTechU.edu
Career Services:
careers@CapTechU.edu
Admissions:
admissions@CapTechU.edu
gradadmit@CapTechU.edu
800.950.1992
Address Changes:
advancement@CapTechU.edu
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10
07
04

The mission of Capitol Technology
University could not be accomplished
without the generous support, strong
leadership, and true dedication of its
Board of Trustees. They help to facilitate
a very important goal—to deliver quality
education to our nation’s future leaders
and innovators. With this in mind, one
figure stands out: Dr. Haden Land. Capitol
Tech has been honored by the selfless
support of Dr. Land for many years and
the Board of Trustees has recognized that
support by naming him Trustee Emeritus,
a highly prestigious conferral.
Dr. Haden Land’s relationship with
Capitol Tech began while he was
Vice President (VP) of Technology for
Enterprise Solutions and Services
of the global security and aerospace
defense company Lockheed Martin. He
recognized Capitol Tech for its passion in
developing leaders who will contribute
to critical research, development, and
management of emerging STEM fields.
Capitol Tech’s esteemed Cyber Lab was
of special interest, as this on-campus
lab is designed for building technical
experience in cyber fields of study, and
Dr. Land soon established a strategic
venture between Capitol Tech and
Lockheed Martin in support of this lab.
In 2010, Dr. Land was the university’s
honored Commencement Speaker,
where he expressed congratulations to
our graduates and the importance of a
quality education. During this event, he
was awarded an Honorary Doctorate
A History of
Dedication
Celebrating the Legacy
of Dr. Haden Land
Degree in appreciation of his numerous
efforts in support of higher education
and fostering partnerships to further
the school’s success. Two years later,
Dr. Land would become a member of
the Capitol Tech Board of Trustees.
His forward-thinking leadership and
innovative ideas for the future of the
university would secure his vote as the
new Chairman of the Board, which he
served honorably from July of 2018 to
June of 2022.
In his role as Chairman, Dr. Land
initiated innovative changes to explore
new avenues of financial growth and
Board member involvement. He sought
to expand Board membership with
a focus on diversity and inclusion to
ensure fully operational committees
by seeking candidates in the newer,
relevant markets in line with university
outreach initiatives. He aimed to
leverage members’ backgrounds
and successes to better promote
the university through their eclectic
networks. He also sought opportunities
for creative fundraising to drive interest
and outreach for the school, as is seen
with the Scholarship Golf Tournament,
in which he participated and generously
donated in memorial of his late father
and brother in-laws.
Dr. Land has had an esteemed career
serving both the public and private
sectors for almost forty years. He has
held many technical, engineering, and
architectural positions as Chief, Director,
and Executive. At Lockheed Martin, he
held roles such as Chief Information
Officer (CIO), Chief Technology Officer
(CTO), and several VP positions, and
spearheaded initiatives in complex
solutions, engineering delivery,
strategic partnerships, global innovation
centers, and sponsorship of R&D
projects. Former employers include
IBM, Loral, and he ran his own IT
security consulting business. Currently,
Dr. Land is the CTO/CISO/CIO for
Safely2Prosperity (S2P), a healthcare
infectious disease risk-management
innovations company with a mission to
keep organizations and their employees
safe and productive in the face of
potential infectious disease disasters
like the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Land received his Bachelor of
Science in Mathematics and Computer
Science from the State University of
New York at Potsdam (SUNY Potsdam).
He received a Master of Science in
Computer Science from Syracuse
University. He is the recipient of two
honorary doctoral degrees: Doctor of
Science from SUNY Potsdam and Doctor
of Humane Letters from Capitol College
(now Capitol Technology University).
He has also received many prestigious
awards over his successful career,
including the Minerva Award in 2009 for
professional lifetime achievement from
his alma mater, President’s Volunteer
Service Award, Global CIO Executive
Top 10 Breakaway Leader Award, and
thrice selected as a “Top Hispanic in
Business and Technology” by Hispanic
Engineer and Information Technology
magazine. He has also served several
other groups, such as a Board Trustee
of SUNY Potsdam, Board Director of
Hispanic IT Executive Council, and
Foundation Board Chairman of Prince
George’s Community College.
Dr. Land is a staunch supporter of higher
education and has been an ambassador
“I have worked with so many
great people at all levels of the
organization and I truly thank
everyone for the hard work,
dedication, and support.”
- Dr. Haden Land
for the university for over a decade. He
has championed many partnerships
in financial support of Capitol Tech
programs, labs, and students. As a
vital and invaluable member of the
Capitol Tech community who, time and
again, has gone above and beyond to
contribute to the university’s mission,
Dr. Land was unanimously selected for
the title of Trustee Emeritus, to celebrate
his steadfast leadership and lasting
legacy with the university. This is a
designation conveyed upon a trustee to
recognize exemplary service as one who
acts as a voluntary ambassador of the
institution, and only seven individuals
have received the honor of Emeriti status
in the history of the university.
A ceremony was held for Dr. Land in
November to celebrate his time with
the university. Members of the Board
offered their sincere gratitude for Dr.
Land’s devotion to Capitol Tech, the
leadership he showed, and the path he
set for continued success.
“There is a lot involved in receiving
Emeritus status; Dr. Land’s support
is not just his time, financial support,
and leadership; he was there for
every meeting, every graduation,
advocating for Capitol Tech and
dedicating his strongest efforts. We
appreciate everything he has done
for the university.” - Dr. Bradford L.
Sims, President of Capitol Technology
University
“The ‘Chairmanship’ title means so
much more than it ever did before,
in terms of your leadership and what
you have done for the university, and
we can’t appreciate you enough. Your
legacy will live on.” - Dr. Marianne
Meins, Board of Trustees
“We were very fortunate to have Dr.
Land chair the Board over the past
several years. His hands-on leadership,
enthusiasm, and commitment to
excellence were contagious and
significantly helped Capitol Technology
University grow and thrive while setting
a course for future excellence.”
- Eliot M. Shatzman, Board of Trustees
Dr. Land offers these words as he
transitions from his position as
Chairman after serving the university
for many successful years:
“I want to thank you all for working hard
and giving so much. This university is
doing great things with a real impact
on the world. When we hit the 100-
year anniversary in 2027, the changes
you see now are going to be elevated
tremendously. And already, look what
we have accomplished. Moving forward,
I will continue to be a committed
Emeritus, one who is always here to
help. I care about this university and am
dedicated to its continued success.”
Although Dr. Land has moved from the
Board, he does not plan on forgetting
Capitol Tech any time soon. Dr. Land will
be establishing an Endowed Scholarship
to assist students in achieving their
academic goals. Dr. Land has also
facilitated a strategic partnership
between the university and S2P for
a joint collaboration on the creation
of educational pathways related to
emergency preparedness and response,
and other strategic initiatives that will
greatly benefit students and alumni of
the university.
The future of Capitol Tech is brighter
for having Dr. Land as a key supporter
of its crucial mission, and on behalf of
the students, faculty, staff, and Board of
Trustees, we thank Dr. Haden Land for
his generous contributions and honor
his lasting legacy with the university.

12th Scholarship
Golf Tournament On Monday, October 15th, Capitol Tech held its debut “Capitol
STEM Challenge” event, hosting 181 local middle and high-
school aged students and their families for a day of hands-on
fun and learning on Capitol’s campus. The faculty-led event
featured multidisciplinary activities designed to engage a
younger crowd, and students enjoyed everything from flying
drones to building databases on a sunny fall Saturday in
Laurel.
The day began at 9am with check-in in McGowan, where
attendees enjoyed a light breakfast while socializing and
meeting the educators who would guide them through the
day’s events before breaking off into smaller groups and
dispersing across campus for the morning.
In the library, Computer Science professor Andrew Mehri
kicked off the festivities with a “Fun with Fixtures for Database
Applications” activity, where students used Microsoft Access
software to build digital inventories of basic items to get
experience with database creation and management.
Just outside, the sky was abuzz with drones as students
shakily practiced navigating the unmanned aerial vehicles
through various obstacles under the guidance of Dr. Rick
Hansen and professor Ryan Schrenk. Students giggled with
amusement as their parents ducked for cover at times when
the drones momentarily steered off-course, and they left the
session with some impressive new flight skills.
McGowan’s state-of-the-art labs got their time to shine during
the STEM Challenge as well, with professor Marcel Mabson
leading eager future satellite engineers through a simulated
launch scenario in the Space Flight Operations and Training
Center (SFOTC). Learners interacted with the same technology
used in real NASA flights as they collaborated to thrust a
virtual satellite into orbit.
Down the hall in the Cyber Lab, young hackers worked their
way through a virtual capture-the-flag (CTF), following clues
scattered across the internet and coding their way around
cyberspace in order to locate a virtual flag and win the game.
Dr. Hansen and members of Capitol Tech’s Signal-9 cyber
battle team assisted with this activity and helped students
understand the unique type of logic needed to crack the
various codes.
Later that afternoon, in collaboration with the National Society
of Black Engineers’ FIRE STEM program, rocketry-obsessed
students excitedly launched the model rockets that they
diligently spent nearly the entire morning building. With
Innovators’ Hall as a backdrop, the students lined up their
creations and blasted them into the atmosphere one-by-one.
Despite a few initial hiccups, every student was able to enjoy
watching the fruit of their labor soar into space and then
Inaugural STEM Challenge: A Soaring Success
Thank you to our
generous donors!
CONTEST SPONSOR
One Source Maintenance
18TH HOLE SPONSORS
AI Vets
SB & Company
HOLE SPONSORS
Allyson Reneau
Earl Beckwith & Co
First National Bank
Global Facility Solutions
Redhead Media
Dianne O’Neill
Safely2Prosperity
Elliance
Eliot Shatzman, Wells Fargo Advisors
SPONSORS OF HONOR &
MEMORIAL HOLES
Haden Land (2)
Ryan Higgins
Mike Plass
Allcare Facility System
Curtiss Steiner
On Monday, October 17th, Capitol Technology University
celebrated its Scholarship Golf Tournament, an event
held annually to help raise scholarship funds for Capitol
Tech students. The event drew the participation of several
generous sponsors, members of the Board of Trustees,
alumni, and staff. This year, the tournament was held at The
County Club at Woodmore in Mitchellville, MD. This beautiful,
sprawling venue is home to the only 18-hole Arnold Palmer-
designed court in Maryland and the day of wonderful, fall
weather and camaraderie provided much fun and entertainment
to the players.
The golfers were grouped into teams of 4 players where,
with the encouragement of their teammates, they took their
best swings towards the green. Participants were given an
opportunity to sponsor one of the 18 holes, where a display
sign was featured indicating their name, their company’s
name, or a name in memoriam. We saw a total of 18 donors!
President of Capitol Tech Dr. Bradford Sims joined the fun as well,
offering these words about student support and alumni outreach:
“By helping students financially and by joining our community
together through events like these, we ensure that all
students receive an opportunity in pursuing their career goals
through a degree program at Capitol Tech, as well as provide
a fun way for alumni and partners to network and reconnect
with the university.”
The day concluded with a reception ceremony and dinner
to honor the winners of the competition and to thank our
sponsors for their generous support of this important cause.
FIRST PLACE TEAM: Motorola Solutions - Mike Plass, Junious
Wilson, Mark Liberatore, Russ Bales
CLOSEST TO THE PIN: Greg Kaple
WOMEN’S LONGEST DRIVE: Missy Sites
MEN’S LONGEST DRIVE: Russ Bales
gently float down, carried by a miniature parachute.
“The FIRE Rocket Challenge team was excited to collaborate
with Capitol Technology University for the rocket portion of
their program! Hosting community build and launch sessions
is a surefire way of igniting passion in young people, which
may launch them in the trajectory of a future in an aerospace
career,” said Robin Houston, the founder and director of the
FIRE Rocket Challenge.
Keeping in line with the space theme, Capitol’s ALPHA
Observatory intern, Ainsley Fitzhugh, led several afternoon
tours of the newly established observatory, teaching students
the names of different constellations and watching their
eyes light up with wonder as she explained how to point the
telescope toward different stars and planets. Several students
were even lucky enough to peer through the eyepiece themselves!
To round out the day, Construction and Critical Infrastructure
program manager Gary Burke taught a group of students how
to accurately measure and plan for large-scale construction
projects. Using mathematical equations such as the
Pythagorean Theorem, students calculated the area needed
for various size buildings and structures and then used flags to
map out spaces that the theoretical structures would occupy.
Capitol’s faculty were pleased with the turnout of this first
STEM Challenge event, and are already planning ways to
enhance the challenge for next year.
“Events like this are important for many different reasons,”
remarked Acting Dean of Academics, Dr. Jamie Teeple. “They
connect the University to our community, teach important,
21st century skills to prospective students, and allow our
incredible faculty to shine at what they do best.”
Dr. William Butler, Vice President of Academic Affairs, had
the following to say about the challenge, “The objective of the
Capitol STEM Challenge was to provide students with a full
day of exciting interactive STEM activities in a safe and fun
environment. The secondary objective was for students to
explore exciting career opportunities in STEM with Cap Tech’s
top-tier faculty and professional alumni. Capitol exceeded
both objectives as evidenced by the glowing comments from
both parents and students thanking our faculty, staff, and
students for the challenges and the prizes for the winners.
The students now have a better understanding of what
interests they would like to pursue in the STEM fields and
more importantly, how to pursue their dreams.”
The event successfully showed the endless ways in which
technology can make life exciting for the next generation of
young learners. The university will now conduct the Capitol
STEM Challenge annually as a part of the greater Maryland
STEM festival held each October.

Trustees’ Society ($10,000 and up)
John E. Dettra
Haden A. Land
Thomas H. Scholl and William H.F.
Scholl
President’s Society ($5,000 to $9,999)
Anthony & Anna L. Carozza Foundation
General Dynamics
Susan Kushnir
Craig Otto
Tamara Capshaw Salmon
Leadership Society ($1,000 to $4,999)
Donald A. Bracher
Joseph K. Brown
Charles Dexter
Bernie Gagnon
James Garrant
Ryan Higgins
Mahesh Kalva
Andre V. Mendes
Jonathan Patrick
Norman C. Peterson
Michael F. Plass
Jennifer L. Rietzke
Eliot M. Shatzman
Earl Simms
Bradford L. Sims
Sterling National Bank Foundation
The Elvoid Lakes III Foundation
The Radio Club of America, Inc.
G. W. Troxler
Webster Bank Charitable Foundation
Vennard Wright
Honors Society ($500 to $999)
Christine Baldwin
Stephen Ken Dolan
Earl Beckwith and Associates, Inc.
Susan Fahrbach
Vince Grimaldi
Ana S. Gutierrez
Meredith A. LeCourt-Sanders
Ronald S. Novak
Dianne M. O’Neill
Raytheon Systems Company
Rockwell Collins, Incorporated
John S. Smutko
Charles A. Vergers
Loyalty Society ($100 to $499)
Joseph L. Adams
Leif H. Anderson
David C. Bertell
Bradleigh Applications, Inc.
Otis S. Brown
William H. Butler
Patrick J. Calpin
Michael A. Chmielewski
Dennis M. Clum
William T. Conlon
David L. Durgin
Mark D. Fearer
Jaylan A. Garrick
Jorome T. Gibbon
Myron J. Grubaugh
Marilyn Heiman
Stephen J. Hudson
Francis D. Jenkins
Christopher M. Jones
Kenneth E. Kassing
Michael J. Kennedy
Anthony Konstant
Karmaveer Koonjbearry
Vincent J. Leahy
Vin S. Lee
Cheuk C. Lee
Randall Magiera
Ron L. Martin
James F. McArthur
Marianne M. Meins
Thomas E. Mobley
Gregory N. Mummert
Jeffrey Pullen
Adrian Reese
Howard W. Reynolds
Gail L. Rosenblum
John M. Ryan
Seyed M. Shojaat
Hashem Tabrizi
Richard C. Todd
John C. Uggla
Alfred J. Valyou
Verizon Foundation C/O CyberGrants
VMware
Charles V. Wendal
Kathleen M. Werner
Charles W. Wilkerson
Dwight D. Yoder
Friends Society (Gifts up to $99)
Christa M. Willett
Devon Hinton
Donte McDaniel
Jacqueline Ross
John M. Schiele
Justin Williams
Natalie S. Marini-Wear
Patricia Buske-Zainal
Sherri L. Miller
William P. Zoli
Jacky Wershbale
Dolores Hartshorn
Kenneth Johnson
Ramon Cordies
Rhonda O. Muhammad
Joseph A. Haney
Gloria Cassidy
Gregory M. Hall
Neil C. Cooper
Tania R. Bonsall
Quentin J. Crocheron
HONORARY AND MEMORIAL GIFTS
In memory of Patrick Gibbon
Jerome Gibbon
In memory of Thomas E. and Barbara
Gentle Capshaw
Tamara Capshaw Salmon
Donor Honor Roll
July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022
Capitol Technology University recognizes the support of the following alumni, families, foundations, businesses, and
organizations during our last fiscal year. We deeply appreciate your generosity.
David Ward
Remember and/or honor loved ones by
supporting Capitol Tech. Each honoree
or next of kin will receive a personalized
card letting them know of your thoughtful
gift.
Make a tribute gift at,
www.captechu.edu/tribute
Ask your Human Resources department
for details.
Go to smile.amazon.com and click Get
Started to start supporting Capitol Tech.
For further information contact,
Melinda Bunnell-Rhyne
mabunnell-rhyne@captechu.edu
For further information contact,
Melinda Bunnell-Rhyne
Discover the charitable gift that’s right for
you by contacting Melinda Bunnell-Rhyne
Matching Gifts Program
Many of our region’s employers
participate in a matching gift program
so your company will match the
contributions that you donate to Capitol
Tech.
Gift of Securities
You may choose to support Capitol Tech
by donating gifts of stock or appreciated
securities. In addition to providing Capitol
Tech with vital financial support, you can
save on capital gains taxation on your
appreciated securities.
Shop on AmazonSmile
It’s the same Amazon.com you know –
same products, same prices – and 0.5%
of each purchase price is donated back to
Capitol Tech.
IRA Rollover/Distribution
You can make a direct transfer to Capitol
Tech of a Qualified Charitable Distribution
from your IRA – a great way to get tax-
deferred IRA savings while supporting
Capitol Technology University.
Leave a Legacy
With your continued support, we can
ensure the best education for students for
years to come.
Looking for Ways to Make an Impact?
Make a direct gift at www.captechu.edu/support
There are many ways you can help Capitol Tech give students the best possible start to their career. However you choose to
support the university—through a direct gift, tribute gift, or leaving a bequest in your will—you will be making a real difference to
the university and in the lives of our students.

11 | Capitol Chronicle | Fall 2022
DEF CON 30
Capitol Technology University has
had an exciting year in recruitment,
finding new ways to attract prospective
students, as well as increased
representation by attending prominent,
public events. Over the summer, a
select few of our faculty, staff, and
students attended DEF CON during
its 30th anniversary event at the
Caesars Forum in Las Vegas. DEF
CON is the world’s largest annual
hacking convention and draws cyber
professionals and enthusiasts from
around the world interested in the
areas of cybersecurity, computer
Capitol Tech On The Move
Our University at Off-Campus Events
While at DEF CON 30, Capitol Tech students and staff pose at our university’s booth.
College & University Day at
FedEx Field
Capitol Tech joined Employ Prince George’s (EPG), a
nonprofit organization based in Prince George’s County,
Maryland that provides workforce development services for
job seekers and businesses, at their College & University
Day at the Washington Commanders vs Green Bay Packers
football game in Washington, D.C. this past October. The
purpose of the event was to celebrate the launch of a new
in-school initiative called “College 2 Careers” which will help
bolster current in-school youth programs and place local
graduates with Prince George’s County businesses within
90 days of their graduation. Capitol Tech’s own program
“The Capitol Commitment” guarantees that students who
graduate with a qualified bachelor’s degree will find a
position in engineering, engineering technology, computer
science, information technology, or business within 90 days
of graduation, or Capitol will provide up to 36 additional
undergraduate credits, tuition free, during their continued
job search. The event hosted staff, alumni, and partners from
the state’s top colleges who support this important initiative,
including members of the Capitol Tech staff who gave the
university face time at a national football game!
ACT-IAC Cybersecurity
Summit 2022
Capitol Tech had the honor of being represented at the
ACT-IAC Cybersecurity Summit 2022 in Washington, D.C.
in October. This year’s theme was centered on offensive
cybersecurity, shifting focus from the threats of the past
and planning for the more sophisticated threats of the near
future. Dr. William Butler, Vice President of Academic Affairs
and Cybersecurity professional, participated in a panel of
fellow academics and cyber leaders discussing the topic
of “How Colleges and Universities are Setting the Stage
for the Future of Cybersecurity.” He shared the innovative
approaches that are being used to address the nation’s
insatiable need for more cyber professionals and faculty to
teach them, and shared information on our university’s many
cyber-focused programs.
science, and information technology.
Our DEF CON team represented the
university this year, with President
Dr. Bradford Sims, Vice President of
Academic Affairs Dr. William Butler,
and Chair of Cybersecurity programs
Dr. Kellep Charles, as well as student
members of our prominent Signal-9
cyber team, greeting attendees who
visited our booth on the convention
floor. Dr. Butler also spoke on a panel
discussion at the event, hosted by
the Military Cyber Professionals
Association (MCPA) and the National
Service Panel (NSP) in partnership
with Blacks in Cybersecurity (BIC). The
convention featured several tracks
of speakers, panels, demonstrations,
hacking simulations, workshops, and
networking opportunities in their full
lineup for the event. Capitol Tech had a
lot of fun networking with prospective
students, cyber professionals, and tech
enthusiasts while introducing them to
the many exciting opportunities in cyber
education that our university has to
offer. And we will be returning to DEF
CON next year!
Career Fair
Collaboration
This fall, members of Capitol Tech’s Department of Academic
Affairs were proud to support colleagues in the Department
of Admissions by visiting approximately 50 Career Fairs
throughout Maryland and Pennsylvania. Professors Dr.
William Butler, Dr. Kellep Charles, Dr. Charles Conner, Dr.
Richard Hansen, Andrew Mehri, Fatoumata Sankare, Ryan
Schrenk, Dr. Mohamed Shehata, and Dr. Jamie Teeple had
the privilege of speaking to high school students and their
guardians as well as community college students about
Capitol and the life-changing education we provide. While
the initiative supported the recruitment drive this fall, it also
enriched our colleagues’ understanding of and appreciation
for the critical work that Admissions does to connect to
our learning communities in the DMV corridor and beyond.
Going forward, Academic Affairs will continue to collaborate
with Admissions toward a team-approach to recruitment,
ensuring that content experts, including Department Chairs
and Professors of Practice, will have opportunities to
communicate the richness of their programs to the public.

Faculty Spotlight:
Professor Fatou Sankare
Over the Hurdle: Esports
Our amazing faculty members are
one of the many great aspects of our
university, providing their mentorship,
industry experiences, and specialized
education to our future workforce. In our
interview with Director of Cyber Labs
and Professor Fatou Sankare, we learn
more about an important member of our
faculty, her contributions to her field,
and the path that led her to joining our
Capitol Tech community!
What do you feel is unique about Capitol
Tech? What interests you about the
university?
Capitol Technology University allows
students to not only take a theoretical
approach to cybersecurity, but also a
practical approach. Capitol Tech has
student-run cyber labs that enable
students to participate in various
hands-on activities including Capture
the Flag competitions. Within the Cyber
Lab, there is also a Security Operations
Center (SOC) in conjunction with our
Digital Forensics Lab, which is also
student-led. For students who want
to learn more about the Internet of
Things, IoT devices, and physical access
controls, Capitol Tech offers the Identity,
Credentialing and Access Management
(ICAM) lab.
What are some of your goals for the
university as Director of Cyber Labs?
One of my main goals for the university
as Director of Cyber Labs is to increase
student engagement. I want students to
participate in various activities hosted
by the labs regardless of their major.
I also want to increase the number of
minorities in the cyber department. As
it stands, there are not many women or
people of color in the cybersecurity field.
Why is cyber education so important in
today’s world?
Cyber education is important in today’s
world because cyber is in every field. As
we move to a technology-driven world,
everything we do is becoming digital.
It is important to keep track of the
information we give out online, but also
to be able to secure that information and
have a clean digital footprint.
What has been your career path towards
working in cybersecurity education?
I went to Howard University where I
studied Political Science with the goal
of going to law school. While I was an
undergrad, I had a few internships and
one of my internships introduced me
to cybersecurity. I immediately began
to research ways to pivot into the field.
After graduation, I enrolled at Fordham
University where I received my Master
of Science in Cybersecurity. Currently, I
am a doctoral candidate in Cybersecurity
at Marymount University.
We are excited for the announcement
of the new Center for Women in Cyber
(CWC) at Capitol Tech! Can you tell us
more about it?
I am currently the Assistant Director of
the Center for Women in Cyber here at
Capitol Tech. I plan to host more events
to include meet-and-greets and panels.
I also would like to do a yearly reception
for women in cyber. The CWC will offer
its members mentoring, networking
and other educational/career growth
opportunities.
What opportunities await our cyber
program graduates?
There are so many opportunities for
those in cyber. As mentioned before,
cybersecurity is in every industry,
including government, healthcare,
finance, entertainment, and much more.
Because cybersecurity is so broad,
people can take so many different routes
in the field.
Is there any advice you can offer our
alumni who are seeking opportunities in
the cyber profession, or for continuing
their education with Capitol Tech?
I would say do your research. Capitol
Tech is a great school and offers tons
of resources. Do your research to see
exactly what interests you and how
Capitol Tech can help you fulfill that
goal. If you’re unsure, reach out to me
or anyone at the university and we
will connect you to the right people to
answer your questions.
Capitol Tech’s new esports team is nascent no more. The
Capitol Tech Chargers recently completed their first full
competitive season and now appear in the rankings for the
Fall 2022 semester. The university fielded teams for Rocket
League, Call of Duty, Valorant, and Overwatch, representing
some of the industry’s most popular titles.
It’s been a fast boot-up for the squad. Barely a year ago,
an esports arena was first carved out of Capitol’s former IT
classroom space. With a raised floor, electrical upgrades, and
lightning-fast connectivity, the gaming area’s 23 PC stations
drew an immediate student response. Professional-grade
equipment allowed students to gain experience playing in
a real world environment, and our varsity esports teams
were born. Capitol Tech is an official member of the National
Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE), which advocates for
the sport among its 170 member schools, and this semester
students enjoyed packed competition schedules with multiple
matches each week.
More recently, under the leadership of Assistant Director of
Esports and Competitive Activities, Jack Harrison, the esports
arena hired student workers, which allowed for expanded
hours of operation. Upgrades to the physical space include a
large flat screen TV set-up, with comfortable oversized bean
bag seating for console gaming.
“We’ve got a great group of students in our program,” says
Harrison. “It’s clear that both our casual and competitive
gamers have a pure love of the game, and watching them
grow both in skill and camaraderie is really rewarding to see
as a program manager.”
The current teams’ strengths may be augmented by new
blood. Capitol is now offering esports scholarships to
incoming students with experience on their high school teams.
Participation in esports is increasing among the general
student population, as prize purses grow into the multi-
millions. Professional recruiters also keep watch for student
players with the potential to go pro.
For those students who choose professional careers outside
of esports, their time spent playing back in college may be
more valuable than they realize. Increasingly, employers view
the experience in developing teamwork and problem-solving,
as well as the hyper focus required of serious gamers, to be
useful workplace attributes.

Dr. Diane M. Janosek is an accomplished cybersecurity
professional who has dedicated her career to defending the
integrity of online information through the intersection of
technology and law. Dr. Janosek holds a master’s degree in
Strategic Intelligence from National Intelligence University, a Juris
Doctor from The Catholic University Columbus School of Law, and
a PhD in Cyber Leadership from Capitol Technology University.
She began her work over two decades ago as a law clerk with
the U.S. Department of Justice and now holds the position
of Deputy Director of Compliance at the National Security
Agency, along with a multitude of advisory and volunteer
positions with organizations relevant to the furtherance of
the cybersecurity industry. Throughout her long career, Dr.
Janosek has authored over 3 dozen articles and publications,
and has been decorated with numerous awards and honors,
most recently being named the 2021 Woman Cybersecurity
Leader of the Year by the United Cybersecurity Alliance for
her work to increase diversity and inclusion through cyber
education, mentoring, and public outreach.
Dr. Janosek is highly passionate about giving back to the
community, and finds empowerment especially in helping
women find their place in a traditionally male-dominated
industry. She spearheaded the creation of the Women in
Cybersecurity’s (WiCyS) Mid-Atlantic and WiCyS Critical
Infrastructure Affiliate (where she now serves as senior
legal advisor), identifying the need for strong leadership,
camaraderie, and support both personally and professionally
for women in the cyber and critical infrastructure fields.
Alumni Features:
Dr. Nikki Robinson, an experienced security architect
who has flourished in her industry, has an extensive
background in cyber engineering, statistical data analysis, and
information technology. She is an accomplished and well-
educated individual, having earned a Bachelor’s of Science
in Information Technology and Software Engineering from
the University of Phoenix, along with a Master of Science in
Information and Telecommunications Systems Management,
a Doctorate of Science in Cybersecurity, and a PhD in Human
Factors, all from Capitol Technology University, making her a
stellar and high-achieving alumna.
Upcoming Events
Masters Virtual Open Houses:
Sunday, Jan. 22, 1:00 p.m. EST
Doctoral Virtual Open Houses:
Sunday, Jan. 22, 3:00 p.m. EST
Cap Tech Talks: Webinars
Thursday, Jan 19, 12:00 p.m. EST
Transformational Leadership: Leading
and Following from the Front
Thursday, Feb. 16, 12:00 p.m. EST
The Occupational Safety and Health
Emphasis on Mental Well-Being
Center for Women in Cyber:
Check our website for upcoming events
at capl.ink/capitol-cwc
Coming in Fall 2023:
“I always tell people, if you just want to do the same-
old, same-old, cybersecurity isn’t the field for you…” said
Dr. Janosek during a recent “Fireside Chat” panel event
celebrating the opening of Capitol Technology University’s
new Center for Women in Cyber (CWC)*, of which Janosek
is the executive director. “If you’re the person who wants to
keep learning and know why things are changing, know what
is happening with particular ransomware or data breaches
or companies that go out of business so that you can do
research and be prepared… cybersecurity is for you!” Janosek
emphasized that she loves being in such a dynamic field as
it stays so interesting and provides so many opportunities to
learn and collaborate with others. And with the birth of the
new CWC, Janosek is eager to see the continued evolution of
the field through the mentorship and development of the next
generation of cyber leaders.
Dr. Robinson’s expertise with managing multiple
information systems and their vulnerabilities helped her
make the transition from strictly information technology to
cybersecurity. As she pursued her Cybersecurity Doctorate
from Capitol, she developed a more focused specialization
which opened up further opportunities for her to grow her
career. She holds numerous certifications and licenses
related to digital security and IT infrastructure, including
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP),
Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP), Master Certified
Architect, and Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH). Her research for
her recently-earned PhD in Human Factors investigated the
ways in which cybersecurity and psychology intertwine. And
in addition to her achievements as an alumna, Dr. Robinson
currently works as an adjunct professor and doctoral chair at
Capitol Tech.
One of Robinson’s latest endeavors is her work alongside a
group of accomplished cyber professionals on the advisory
board of the Center for Women in Cyber (CWC)* at Capitol.
She is passionate about fostering diversity in the cyber
field and was excited for the opportunity to help pioneer the
program. She recognizes the importance of networking and
outreach in the cyber field in today’s digital job market, and
hopes her role in this new center will allow her to impart her
wisdom on young professionals looking to find their first job
in the industry. “Meeting people and talking to them is a great
way for you to get an idea of what you’d like to do in cyber,”
she shared while giving advice during the CWC’s recent
Fireside Chat virtual panel discussion, “doing things such as
volunteering at local conferences is a great way to learn new
things and get tons of networking experience.”
*The Center for Women in Cyber (CWC) empowers women of all ages to
pursue cyber careers. Through presentations, hands-on activities and
mentoring, the CWC community provides direction, encouragement,
and support to the next generation of cyber leaders.
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