15 students join cyber pre-apprenticeship program
Dec. 1, 2023
Fifteen students from six Virginia community colleges have been selected for the first cohort of the Cyber Pre-Apprenticeship, a program supported by a Commonwealth Cyber Initiative (CCI) experiential learning grant.
The program is an academy-industry partnership featuring an on-the-job experiential learning curriculum and practical experience for students interested in technology and cybersecurity careers
Principal investigator (PI) Stephanie Blackmon, an associate professor at William & Mary, and co-PI Leigh Armistead, president of Peregrine Technical Solutions, developed the program.
Pre-apprenticeship students will work with subject matter experts from Peregrine and gradually move through several stages of guided support.
The group includes students with varying degrees of experience in cybersecurity, with a particular focus on career changers.
“We are delighted about the wonderful group of students participating in this first iteration of the Cyber Pre-Apprenticeship program,” said Blackmon, the program lead.
Armistead added, “Peregrine is glad to support this CCI pre-apprenticeship opportunity with students from across the Commonwealth of Virginia.”
In 2016, Peregrine became the first company in the nation to have a Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship program. It’s continuing to grow cybersecurity talent across the region. The robust small business has current contracts that support both the Army and Air Force in cutting edge industrial control system cyber efforts.
“We are especially happy that this academy-industry partnership can help students gain the valuable experiences they will need to transition into apprenticeships or some of the many technology and cybersecurity jobs available in Virginia,” said Blackmon.
Cyber Pre-Apprenticeship Program participants include:
Ona Bettie is currently studying computer science at Germanna Community College. Ona is planning to pursue a career as a film editor or in computer science with emphasis on either networking or cybersecurity.
Che Boisseau is currently studying cybersecurity at Brightpoint Community College. Che is planning to pursue a career in cybersecurity and hopes to become a project manager in the field.
Yvonna Carpenter is currently studying information systems technology at Reynolds Community College. Yvonna is planning to pursue a career in cybersecurity.
Denise Cruz is currently studying cybersecurity at Tidewater Community College. Denise is planning to pursue a career in intelligence analysis.
Shannon Harris is currently studying cybersecurity and computer information systems at Tidewater Community College. Shannon is planning to pursue a career as an analyst in forensics or threat intelligence.
Sahaj Kaur is currently studying cybersecurity at Northern Virginia Community College. Sahaj is planning to pursue a career as a computer forensics specialist.
Joseph Lane is currently studying cybersecurity at Northern Virginia Community College. Joseph is planning to pursue a career as a cybersecurity analyst.
Shaniqua Law is currently studying cybersecurity at Germanna Community College. Shaniqua is planning to pursue a career as a compliance analyst or information security officer.
Ryan Murphy is currently a student at Virginia Peninsula Community College with career aspirations in offensive cybersecurity and red teaming.
Jasmine Obeng is currently pursuing a computer science degree at Germanna Community College. Jasmine is planning to pursue a career in data science and a potential aspiration career in cloud computing and risk management.
Lulya Ogbaghiorghis is currently studying information technology at Northern Virginia Community College. Lulya is planning to pursue a career in cybersecurity.
Duhane Sterling is currently studying Information System Technology at Germanna Community College. Duhane is planning to pursue a career in information system cybersecurity.
Hoang Ta is a student at Northern Virginia Community College, where he is pursuing an associates in cybersecurity. Hoang is committed to advancing his education by working towards a bachelor’s degree in the field.
Emilio L. Vides is completing his A.A.S. degree in cybersecurity at Northern Virginia Community College and aspires to a career in cyber computer forensics, focusing on counterterrorism to protect against digital threats.
Demetrius Walker is currently studying information systems technology: cybersecurity at Germanna Community College. Demetrius is planning to pursue a career as a security analyst.