Appalachian State University

  • Excellence in teaching, research and service.

    Appalachian State University is a long-established public institution that honors their founding commitment to educational access and excellence and their rural mountain heritage through teaching, research and service.

Computer Science Major, Cyber Security Minor, SVA Secretary, NCL Team Captain

After receiving my associates in science from Caldwell Technical Community College in 2021, I enrolled in App State University under the Computer Science program in the School of Art's and Sciences. After my second semester, the school began offering a minor in cyber security. I jumped at the opportunity to broaden my technical skills.

One of the first classes I took for my minor was a Cyber Security Auditing class which familiarized me with the complex world of internet privacy laws, and regulations surrounding information systems. My professor for this class was Dr. Haines who invited me to take part in App State's capture the flag competition which is a Cyber Security challenge where students compete to solve hacking related puzzles for points. I quickly jumped at the opportunity to be a team captain in my first semester participating in the National Cyber League (NCL). By my second semester I had earned myself the 1st place at App State for both the individual and team competitions. My Teammates nominated me for the outstanding leadership award. Not only was I the premier capture the flag competitor, but I was also elected to the governing body of my Student Veterans Associtation (SVA). I attended the SVA regional conference in Boston, MA where I learned how to successfully run an SVA chapter. Upon my return to school in the fall semester, I began work on a fundraising event that would bring together students, veterans, and local businesses. The First Annual SVA Chili-Cook-Off was going to be a huge fundraising opportunity for my chapter, but in late September, Hurricane Helene swept through western North Carolina which forced us to cancel the event.

In the wake of the hurricane, there were many members of the student body who felt inspired to lend a hand. I helped my community by handing out food and cleaning a few of the store fronts in Boone. As of writing this, there is still plenty of work to be done and my fiance and I spend whatever time we can cleaning up trails and around our immediate area. The SVA will be chopping wood this spring as it does every year to help those who find it hard to heat their homes in the winter, and I know this year that effort will be of paramount importance.