The participants in the Cybersecurity Talent Initiative’s inaugural class bring a variety of academic and professional experience to the federal government. These recent graduates will serve a two-year fellowship at seven federal agencies before applying for a job with one of the initiative’s corporate partners. Read their bios below to learn more about where each participant is placed, their experience and background and their motivation for working in the field of cybersecurity.

Adjua Lake
Graduating Academic Institution: University at Albany
Placement: Army Cyber Command
Degree: Cybersecurity

Akosua Nsowah
Graduating Academic Institution: George Washington University
Placement: State Department
Degree: Cybersecurity

Benjamin Quinn
Graduating Academic Institution: Florida Atlantic University
Placement: United States Secret Service
Degree: Computer Engineering

Cherrylita Turner
Graduating Academic Institution: George Washington University
Placement: United States Coast Guard
Degree: Cybersecurity Policy and Compliance

Daniel Embry
Graduating Academic Institution: George Washington University
Placement: United States Coast Guard
Degree: Cybersecurity

Emely Toledo Cruz
Graduating Academic Institution: George Washington University
Placement: Census Bureau, Office of Information Security
Degree: Cybersecurity

Frederico Colon
Graduating Academic Institution: George Washington University
Placement: State Department
Degree: Cybersecurity Policy and Compliance

Jayro Espino
Graduating Academic Institution: Metropolitan State University of Denver
Placement: Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
Degree: Cybersecurity

Jillene Vannostrand
Graduating Academic Institution: Western Governors University
Placement: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Degree: Cybersecurity and Information Assurance

Joseph Roesch
Graduating Academic Institution: George Mason University
Placement: United States Coast Guard
Degree: Information Technology

Laurence Pagan
Graduating Academic Institution: George Washington University
Placement: State Department
Degree: Cybersecurity Policy and Compliance

Marji Symonds
Graduating Academic Institution: Oregon State University- Cascades
Placement: United States Coast Guard
Degree: Computer Science

Maurice Prunty
Graduating Academic Institution: Walden University
Placement: State Department
Degree: Information System Security and Information System Management

Michael Austin
Graduating Academic Institution: West Virginia University
Placement: United States Coast Guard
Degree: Computer science- cybersecurity

Nicholas di Mauro
Graduating Academic Institution: William and Mary
Placement: Department of Health and Human Services
Degree: Computer science

Olivia Janssen
Graduating Academic Institution: Dakota State University
Placement: Federal Bureau of Investigation
Degree: Network Security and Cyber Leadership

Ramatu Mohammed
Graduating Academic Institution: Fordham University
Placement: State Department
Degree: Cybersecurity

Ryan Walsh
Graduating Academic Institution: Indiana University Bloomington
Placement: State Department
Degree: Cybersecurity Risk Management & Political Science

Sammy Noman
Graduating Academic Institution: George Mason University
Placement: State Department
Degree: Information Assurance and Security- Applied Cybersecurity

Sangeetha Ranadeeve
Graduating Academic Institution: University of Houston
Placement: State Department
Degree: Management Information Systems and Supply Chain Management

Lucinda Brooks
Graduating Academic Institution: Regent University
Placement: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Degree: Cybersecurity Management

Manpreet Duggal
Graduating Academic Institution: University of Albany, State University of New York
Placement: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Degree: Digital Forensics, Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security, and Cybersecurity

Kristin Miyoko Lockwood
Graduating Academic Institution: John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Placement: Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
Degree: Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity

Michelle Massarik
Graduating Academic Institution: University of Albany, State University of New York
Placement: Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
Degree: Cybersecurity Informatics

Steve Muthomi
Graduating Academic Institution: University of Maryland Global Campus
Placement: Environmental Protection Agency
Degree: Cybersecurity Technology

Carroll S. Rich
Graduating Academic Institution: Marymount University
Placement: Environmental Protection Agency
Degree: Cybersecurity

Joseph Salisbury
Graduating Academic Institution: Western Governors University
Placement: Federal Election Commission
Degree: Cybersecurity and Information Assurance

Kevin Smith
Graduating Academic Institution: Maryville University
Placement: US Army Cyber Command
Degree: Cybersecurity