Dr. Yasmin Razack

Doctorate of Information Assurance

Class of ’21

““The modules included in the program help you to create a clear roadmap in terms of the paths and resources available to break into the field of cybersecurity; it gives you diverse options to move into once you complete the doctoral program. You could take on the role of a security consultant, architect, CISO, analyst, forensic specialist, researcher, or move into a teaching profession.” She also enjoyed the fact that our professors and peers brought their real-world experience to the classroom. “I felt this program helped me tremendously in improving my depth, breadth, and knowledge of cybersecurity.” Not only did her professors, Dr. Umesh Varma and Dr. Timothy Sorber, support her in her class, but they also jointly published an article with her, based on the work that she did for her dissertation on demystifying the security of blockchain. “I thought it would be good to research on blockchain implementation for the airline industry in the UAE… I’ve been living for 25 years in the UAE and wanted to give back to the country where I grew professionally as well as personally.””

Kruthi Jayakumar

Doctorate of Information Assurance

Current Student

“Kruthi worked for a number of years as a network engineer and wanted to make a switch to the cybersecurity department of her workplace. She first heard about University of Fairfax from a friend of hers that graduated from our MBA program. “I was surprised by how welcoming and detailed they were about all the information that was required.” Kruthi states that the DIA program exceeded her expectations. “Other programs were focused more on IT whereas this DIA program concentrated more on cybersecurity.” She also appreciated the expertise of our experienced instructors. They were able to teach her about important subjects she did not previously know about such as the legal aspects of cybersecurity. “That was something I had no idea about. [At my job] that is standard, you are supposed to know about that…That is something no one tells you when you work for a company, so that was very good to know.” In the future, Kruthi hopes to have more of a good standing in cybersecurity and wants to earn more certifications to advance her cybersecurity career.”

Dr. Frances Undelikwo

Doctorate of Information Assurance

Class of ’20

“Frances has 20+ years of experience working in information technology in Nigeria. After completing a large project at her last job, Frances did some research online to find doctorate programs to help her achieve her next goal. When she realized she had to go outside of Nigeria to find a program, she asked her friend, an American professor, which school she should commit to, he suggested University of Fairfax. From the time she applied to University of Fairfax to her last day of class, Frances’s experience had been completely online. For her online classes, she talks about how the initial shift from in-person to online classes was difficult at first, however she “got used to it” and enjoyed her classes. She loved that the classes were taught by professionals in the field and that everything she learned was relevant to what she would be doing in her future position. Now working as the Head of Systems Information Control, she hopes more women enter the cybersecurity field. To anyone who may be thinking about earning their DIA with University of Fairfax, Frances encourages you to invest in yourself and go for it.”

Dr. John Galliano

US Air Force veteran

Class of ’17

“John is a University of Fairfax graduate, a veteran, and now the program director for cybersecurity technology at University of Maryland Global Campus. Before attending UF, John worked in the federal sector in Honolulu, Hawaii. As an airman deployed in the Gulf during Desert Storm, he saw that a university offered classes to deployed service members, inspiring him to pursue a career in education. He, later, became an adjunct professor while deployed in Korea and he realized that he wanted to go further. “A strong motivator for me was the knowledge that, in higher education, I needed to have a terminal degree.” He researched schools, talked to his contacts, and found the University of Fairfax. John needed a school that was military friendly. He received the Blue Ribbon Grant twice and utilized other military benefits that University of Fairfax had to offer. Aside from the cost of John’s application fee, UF’s exclusive Blue Ribbon Grant was able to cover his out-of-pocket costs beyond costs covered by his G.I. Bill benefits. A couple years after graduating from University of Fairfax, John encountered a great job opportunity. “Because I had leaned forward and the University of Fairfax was there for me and provided me that great opportunity, I was able to capitalize on it.””

James Senger

US Air Force veteran, Chief Information Security Officer

Current Student

““The University of Fairfax doctorate program in Cybersecurity is exceeding my expectations. As a retired Air Force veteran and someone who has been working in security over 35 years, getting my master’s in cybersecurity was a completion of a career and educational goal I completed before coming to UF, however, getting a doctorate was also a long-time goal I never considered possible until coming across the University of Fairfax program. This will help reach my final goal of teaching classes one day to help shape future cybersecurity practitioners. I researched all the schools that offered online programs looking for the right fit for my work and home life. I searched for a program that was challenging, rewarding, and aligned with my professional goal and personal life commitments, UF met the requirements. The classes, professors, enrollment staff, and counselors have been outstanding in every aspect and all have exceeded my expectations. I spend several hours each day studying and have also found the content is relevant to my job and the corporate America. The online face-to-face meetings work well being able to see your professor and classmates providing an experience as if being in the classroom.””

Dr. Claude L. Jenkins II

Doctorate of Information Assurance

Class of ’16

“Dr. Claude L. Jenkins II currently serves as a Computer Science and Technology professional with the US Army Communications and Electronics Command, Software Engineer Center (CECOM SEC). “My journey started with the University of Fairfax back in 2006; I deployed in that particular month, and was able to continue to pursue my studies. There are so many people within the University of Fairfax that I’d like to thank.””