DoW Cyber Service Academy

// ATTN: Audio Description Video Available // The DoD CSA’s greatest impact and most cherished achievement is the legacy of scholars that have graduated from our program. Today’s spotlighted alumna is Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic (NIWC LANT) IT Specialist, Ms. Tychinna Corpening. Tychinna is a graduate of Montreat College (B.S. – Cybersecurity Governance, Risk Management, & Compliance [GRC]) and Fayetteville Technical Community College (A.S. – Information Technology: Systems Security & Analysis) where she served as Vice President (VP) for her chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society International as well as VP for the FTCC Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP). Motivated by a personal circumstance that sparked her initial interest in cybersecurity, Tychinna sought answers at her local community college, which led her to discover the DoD CSA program. Empowered by the opportunity to retake her power and the security of her personal networks, Tychinna made cybersecurity her lifelong career. After graduating from the DoD CSA program, Tychinna began working for NIWC LANT in Charleston, SC where she serves as an IT specialist and powerful advocate for the DoD CSA program. DVIDS Video Link: https://lnkd.in/esQdrBvG DVIDS Audio Description Video Link: https://lnkd.in/e6aHkf5U #DoDCIO #Cybersecurity #DoDCSA

// ATTN: Audio Description Video Available // The DoD CSA’s greatest impact and most cherished achievement is the legacy of scholars that have graduated from our program. Today’s spotlighted alumna is Department of the Navy Principal Cyber Advisor (DON PCA) Cyber Policy Analyst, Ms. Kathleen Gallagher. Kathleen is a graduate of Penn State University (B.S - Security and Risk Analysis, (Information Sciences and Technology) & Master of International Affairs, International Cybersecurity Concentration) and a John S. McCain Strategic Defense Fellow. Following graduation, she began her career working for the Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP)’s Business Systems Center (NAVSUP Business Systems Center) where she gained experience as an IT Systems Analyst before transitioning to her current role at DON PCA. At DON PCA, Kathleen remains a strong advocate for the DoD CSA scholarship program, reaching the next generation of cyber leaders as evidenced by her very own brother’s participation in the program! Hear more from Kathleen via her video spotlight. DVIDS Video Link: https://lnkd.in/eZH7yJH9 DVIDS Audio Description Video Link: https://lnkd.in/eKYUCyBY #DoDCIO #DoDCSA #Cybersecurity #ZeroTrust

Cheers to a successful Scholar Bootcamp! From Sunday, 20 July to Tuesday, 22 July, the DoD CSA, supported by The George Washington University, welcomed scholarship recipients from across the country to join us for a three-day event-filled agenda that provided new DoD CSA scholars with a deep-dive overview of the Department of Defense, the ins-and-outs of federal service, and a comprehensive understanding of the commitment they’re about to undertake. Scholars heard from guest speakers like Mr. Mark Gorak, Director of the Cyber Academic Engagement Office (CAEO) and Principal Director for Resources & Analysis (R&A) within the DoD CIO, as well as members of the DoD CSA team who helped our incoming scholars throughout the application process by answering their questions and managing the DoD CSA’s program operations. Mr. Gorak reminded incoming scholars of the importance of the nation’s cyber mission and stressed a commitment to service as the cornerstone of the DoD CSA’s mission and purpose. https://lnkd.in/eRsPesAi #DoDCSA #DoDCyberWorkforce #DoDCIO #ZeroTrust #Cybersecurity

Bridging cybersecurity gaps through educational opportunities is precisely the mission 🙂↕️ 😎 👏 NOTE: Liking, sharing, replying does not equal endorsement #DoDCIO #DoDCSA #cybersecurity #ZeroTrust #cloud

The DoD CSA’s greatest impact and most cherished achievement is the legacy of scholars that have graduated from our program throughout its many iterations! Whether you knew us as the DoD Cyber Scholarship Program (DoD CySP) or the DoD Information Assurance Scholarship Program (DoD IASP), the rebranded DoD CSA is still committed to providing the necessary resources required to develop the next generation of cyber talent to serve our country. In that vein, we want to spotlight some of the DoD CSA alumni that have made our program the success it is today. When we reached out to DoD CSA & Champlain College alumna, and Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic (NIWC LANT) CSSP Director, Ms. Cecilia Pohlar Dallier, she had the following to say: - There are many scholarship programs available – what made you choose the DoD CSA Program? “The CSA Program is one of the most beneficial, secure, and empowering scholarships I have heard of. I was encouraged to apply as a rising junior during my undergraduate because I met the pre-requisites and believed it would be good practice as I started interviewing for jobs. When I received the selection notice, I was surprised and honored. I always wanted to accomplish something in service of my country. The CSA Program granted that opportunity in a way that aligned with my future goals.” - What was the most impactful part of your experience in the DoD CSA Program? “The most impactful part of my experience with the DoD CSA program was how every opportunity was structured with the intent to grow the students’ skills. I felt so supported throughout the 4-5 years committed to the program. The internship at NIWC Atlantic between my junior and senior years taught me extremely valuable skills including how to focus on real-world impacts during research projects, how cost and availability impact risk management decisions, and how the government ensures cybersecurity across diverse networks and systems.” #DoDCIO #Cybersecurity #ZeroTrust #cloud

// ATTN: Audio Description Video Available // The Department of Defense Cyber Service Academy's (DoD CSA’s) greatest impact and most cherished achievement is the legacy of scholars that have graduated from our program. In that vein, we want to spotlight some of the DoD CSA alumni that have made our program a success. Today’s spotlighted alumna is Naval Information Warfare Center, Atlantic (NIWC LANT) Software Developer, Ms. Cathryn Allen. Cathryn Allen is a graduate of the University of North Georgia and Kennesaw State University. Following graduation, she began her career with NIWC LANT where she remains committed to supporting national defense through advanced research and development. During her academic career, Cathryn conducted and published research on deepfake technology, authoring a paper titled “What You See is Not What You Know: Studying Deception in Deepfake Video Manipulation.” She had the honor of presenting her work at multiple research conferences, including the Cyber Summer Immersion Program hosted by the six Senior Military Colleges. Her research earned recognition for its innovation and impact. In her current role as a researcher at NIWC LANT, Cathryn applies the technical expertise she gained in academia to advance cybersecurity capabilities in support of the warfighter. She continues to expand her skills in cybersecurity and remains passionate about her work. She is deeply grateful for the opportunities provided by the DoD CSA and is committed to making meaningful contributions to the field. About his experience going through the DoD CSA, Cathryn had the following to say: DVIDS Video Link: https://lnkd.in/eXk665Yt DVIDS Audio Description Video Link: https://lnkd.in/eT2iekFf #DoDCIO #DoDCSA #scholarshipforservice

// ATTN: Audio Description Video Available // The DoD CSA’s greatest impact and most cherished achievement is the legacy of scholars that have graduated from our program. In that vein, we want to spotlight some of the DoD CSA alumni that have made our program a success. Today’s spotlighted alumnus is Miami Dade College professor, Dr. Diego Tibaquirá, CISSP. Dr. Tibaquirá is an eight-year U.S. Marine Corps veteran. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte & North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. His experience in cybersecurity includes federal service as an information security specialist and industry experience at companies like PEPSICO where he worked as a Data Analyst. As a computer science professor, Dr. Tibaquirá has spent the past couple of years developing Miami Dade College’s cybersecurity and cloud computing curriculum. Through grants acquisition, he has developed campus programs that are providing professional development opportunities to the next generation of cybersecurity talent including his relationship with the DoD CSA and the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C). Dr. Tibaquirá is a 2017 and 2021 recipient of the Endowed Teaching Chair Award and a 2021 nominee to the Ethical Hacker Hall of Fame. In 2021, he was both elected to the grade of Senior Member by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and received the Academic Instructor Circle of Excellence Award. That same year, Dr. Tibaquirá was selected as a Fulbright Specialist and is now a 2025 finalist for the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Faculty Innovation Award. About his experience going through the DoD CSA, Dr. Diego Tibaquirá had the following to say: DVIDS Video Link: https://lnkd.in/eDDftdrg DVIDS Audio Description Video Link: https://lnkd.in/enPCKq83 #DoDCIO #DoDCAEO #DoDCSA #cybersecurity

The DoD Cyber Service Academy's (DoD CSA’s) greatest impact and most cherished achievement is the legacy of scholars that have graduated from our program throughout its many iterations! Whether you knew us as the DoD Cyber Scholarship Program (DoD CySP) or the DoD Information Assurance Scholarship Program (DoD IASP), the rebranded DoD CSA is still committed to providing the necessary resources required to develop the next generation of cyber talent to serve our country. In that vein, we want to spotlight some of the DoD CSA alumni that have made our program the success it is today. When we reached out to DoD CSA & Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University alumnus, Garett A., he had the following to say: - There are many scholarship programs available – what made you choose the DoD CSA Program? “I chose the DoD CSA Program primarily because it offered both a guaranteed internship with the sponsoring agency and a full-time job upon graduation. Coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, the job market was uncertain, and knowing I had a secure position lined up greatly reduced the stress of completing my degree. Additionally, the DoD CSA Program provided generous benefits, including a laptop allowance, book allowance, and a flexible stipend—perks that were more comprehensive and less restrictive than those offered by other scholarship programs.” - What advice or lessons learned would you give to students who are considering this program? “My advice to students considering the DoD CSA Program would be to start the application process early and make sure to thoroughly review all requirements. Planning ahead will help you stay organized and ensure you can meet all the deadlines. I would also encourage students to reflect deeply on their personal and professional experiences to effectively address the core competencies section of the application. Beyond the application process itself, I’d emphasize that this program offers much more than financial support—it provides an incredible opportunity to serve your country, gain hands-on experience, and build a network with professionals across various sectors. If you’re looking for a way to secure your future while making a meaningful impact, this is a program worth considering.” #DoDCIO #DoDCSA #cybersecurity #scholarship

In an effort to cultivate and capitalize on meaningful relationships with its partners at the nation’s Senior Military Colleges (SMCs), DoD Cyber Academic Engagement Office (DoD CAEO) leadership took advantage of their attendance at the 2025 Centers of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Cybersecurity (CAE-C) Symposium in Charleston, SC, to visit and speak with stakeholders and university leadership at The Citadel on 11APR. During this event, DoD CAEO Director, Mr. Mark Gorak, and DoD CAEO Principal Director, Dr. Diba Hadi, sat alongside the university’s Dean and Provost, Dr. Selden, Sally, to further understand The Citadel’s key role, both as a SMC and a National CAE-C, in producing exceptional cyber talent for the DoD. Dr. Selden underscored the excellent caliber of graduates exiting The Citadel, crediting the university’s military lifestyle for creating disciplined and high-achieving graduates who often prioritize public service as a hallmark of their lives outside of The Citadel. In this vein, the DoD CAEO sees The Citadel as a top-tier institution for graduating the nation’s future generation of highly trained and exceptionally qualified cyber professionals to meet the federal government’s demand. Throughout their interactions with university leadership and students, Mr. Gorak and Dr. Hadi stressed the importance of curriculum that emphasizes artificial intelligence (AI) and competency-based projects and exams that test students in real-time, under realistic cyber range conditions. As an added bonus to their visit, DoD CAEO & Cyber Service Academy (DoD CSA) leadership participated in a luncheon with distinguished cyber scholars at The Citadel, some of whom were recipients of the DoD CSA scholarship. This occasion gave leadership the opportunity to witness the impact of the DoD’s investment in future cyber talent and allowed cadets to highlight their capstone projects in recognition of the real-world implications and threats that their studies expose. Students or universities wanting to learn more or with questions for the DoD CAEO or DoD CSA are encouraged to interact with this post, direct message, or send inquiries to the following address: osd.mc-alex.dod-cio.mbx.dod-csa@mail.mil

As part of the DoD Cyber Academic Engagement Office’s (DoD CAEO’s) ongoing commitment to targeted and meaningful coordination with academic partners, leadership and team members from the Office traveled to Charleston, SC on Tuesday, 08APR to Thursday, 10APR, where they attended the 2025 Centers of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Cybersecurity (CAE-C) Symposium. During this event, DoD CAEO Director, Mr. Mark Gorak, and DoD CAEO Principal Director, Dr. Diba Hadi, briefed audiences on the future of the DoD CAEO and how they plan to expand the Office’s programs, efforts, and collaborations with academic partners by promoting actions and authorities that empower institutions of higher education to more easily recruit, train, develop, and graduate cyber talent to meet the federal government’s demand for highly trained and exceptionally qualified cyber professionals. Mr. Gorak and Dr. Hadi stressed the importance of early cyber education and the nation’s need to shift its focus on artificial intelligence’s (AI’s) overwhelming growth in recent years. Alongside this messaging, Ms. Alice Smitley, Program Manager for the DoD Cyber Service Academy (DoD CSA) – the DoD CAEO’s flagship scholarship-for-service program – engaged in an open forum with CAE-C university representatives who expressed their growing concerns for the federal government’s ongoing era of change and its effect on DoD CSA scholars. Ms. Smitley reassured representatives that her program is doing everything possible to secure seamless transitions for current and future cyber scholars from their studies to careers in federal service. Mr. Gorak echoed Ms. Smitley’s reassurances underscoring the DoD’s commitment to a robust cyber workforce and the ongoing need for cyber talent within the Department. Students or universities wanting to learn more or with questions for the DoD CAEO or DoD CSA are encouraged to interact with this post, direct message, or send inquiries to the following address: osd.mc-alex.dod-cio.mbx.dod-csa@mail.mil