Cybersecurity Faculty

Cyntria Bouknight-Lyons is an Instructor in the Computer Engineering Technology Department at Wake Technical Community College. She has been employed at Wake Technical Community College since August of 2010. Cyntria teaches a variety of different courses: Information Security/ Networking Fundamentals course, an Integrated Software course, along with some IT Business Courses. She is currently involved in our First in the World Grant initiative, which focuses on minority retention in online classes.

Cyntria holds an undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Campbell University and a Master of Information Science from NCCU. While at Wake Technical Community College, Cyntria has also earned several certifications including ITIL Foundations, MTA Security, and MOS Certifications. This past summer, Cyntria was awarded a Faculty Internship, which allowed her to go and work in the industry and gain experience to be used in the classroom.

Joan Copperthwaite is an instructor in the Network and Computer Technologies department at Wake Technical Community College (WTCC). She teaches a range of courses including Computer Hardware Support and Computer Software Support, both of which prepare students for the A+ certification exam. She also teaches Network Operating Systems Concepts, Linux/UNIX Single User, Introduction to Computers, and Security Concepts.  Additionally, Mrs. Copperthwaite has taught mathematics at WTCC.

Mrs. Copperthwaite holds a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University along with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering with a minor in mathematics from Utah State University.

Prior to teaching at WTCC, Mrs. Copperthwaite worked in the computer and networking communications industry holding various development roles. She worked at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab developing software for US Naval radar systems, as well as data reduction tools used to analyze the collected radar data.  Following that, she moved to IBM and was part of the development team for their first network controller and subsequent router. This work was followed by writing telecommunications applications, as voice over IP was being developed.  Her last job prior to WTCC was at Bell Northern Research implementing application and technologies for landline and wireless-based telephone switches.

Carolyn DeSimone is the Program Director for Cyber Security and Associate Professor in the Network and Computer Technologies department at Wake Technical Community College.  She also serves as the Director of the Wake Tech Cyber Security Center.  She has taught a variety of IT courses at the college since 2001 including Network +, Cisco Networking Academy, and Network and Security Fundamentals.  She is the Information Technology division Faculty Coordinator for all Work-Based Learning positions where she is responsible for coordinating with local employers to develop work-based learning opportunities for students to earn academic credit by working at local employers in their chosen fields.

She has an A.A.S. in Networking Technologies from Wake Technical Community College.

Patti Hathaway is an Instructor in the Network and Computer Technologies Department at Wake Tech Community College. She teaches Security Concepts, Network and Security Foundations, Operating System Concepts and Introduction to Computers. 

Prior to this role, she held positions at various organizations including two Virginia community colleges, a consulting company, and Eastman Kodak. In these positions her roles included: functional and technical support and lead for PeopleSoft (Campus Solutions, Financials, HRMS), Project Leader, Systems Analyst/Designer, Help Desk Support, Programmer/Analyst, faculty, trainer, Acting Director of a computer center, Application Development Manager and quality assurance.

Patti holds a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science and a Master of Science in Computer Information Systems. She has obtained the following certifications: CompTIA Security+ and Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT©).

Julie Martínez Hayes is an Instructor in the Network and Computer Technologies Department at Wake Tech Community College.  She teaches Security Concepts, Network and Security Foundations, Windows client, and Windows Server classes.   

Ms. Hayes is the coordinator of the Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) certification exam program for the Network and Computer Technologies department.  She is EPIC certified to teach online courses and has presented in Professional Development conferences for Wake Tech, as well as the Young Women in IT Conference held at Wake Tech.

Before teaching Ms. Hayes had a 20-year career in IT as a senior systems administrator for local government, as well as a government contractor for the Navy. She held a Top Secret (TS-SSBI) security clearance. Her focus has been system security malware prevention, building security and card access, email archiving, and database management. Ms. Hayes managed specialized applications for police including video evidence from patrol vehicles, remote network access from police vehicles, and K-9 GPS and evidence tracking.  She also managed a large database application for fire department mapping and dispatch, pre-plans, and fire inspections.

Ms. Hayes has a Master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh and a Bachelor’s degree from Bucknell University. She holds several Microsoft certifications including an MCSE, MCSA, 3 MTA’s, and two MOS certifications.

Matthew C. Henry is a Program Director at Wake Technical Community College, overseeing its Technical Support and Computer Engineering degrees. A teacher of seventeen years, he began teaching online in the early 2000s, working with Blackboard and WebCT and integrating evolving technologies in his classes over the years. His current research involves bridging the distance in distance learning with organic tools that bring online students together and create a sense of community in the online classroom.

Matthew C. Henry holds the following certifications:  MTA Networking Fundamentals, MTA Security Fundamentals, ITIL Foundations, HDI Support Center Analyst

Sandellyo Kauba is an instructor for Networking and Computer Technologies.  He is a Networking Technology professional with proven knowledge in Systems Administration and Project Management on an international level. Sandellyo has an Associates in Applied Science Information Systems Security degree from Wake Technical Community College and is a veteran of the United States Army. Sandellyo is a dedicated coordinator, leader, trainer and developer of minds interested in pursuing a career in Information Technology. 

In addition, he has more than 26 IT certifications including ITIL Foundation, CCNA Wireless, CCNA Security and CCNA Data Center. 

Sandellyo has appeared on WRAL news as a subject matter expert to discuss options for enhancing WiFi capabilities in the home. He also recently participated in an interview with EdNC to discuss his dedication and commitment to the Continuing Education department at Wake Technical Community College to play a critical role as an instructor in the TechHire Program.

Mark Marand is a Network and Computer Technology Instructor at Wake Technical Community College.

Mr.  Marand has a BS in Electrical Engineering and MS in Computer Engineering and have been teaching Computer Hardware, Programming, Operating Systems, Networking, and Security courses for 32 years as Assistant Professor, Assistant department chair, Lead Instructor and individual contributor with 14 years in North Carolina College systems and 18 years in Massachusetts College Systems.

Mr. Marand was instrumental in creating Computer Engineering Department curriculum at Merrimack College in North Andover Massachusetts. He has obtained a Unix Certificate from RTI Ultrix Focused College.

Prior to teaching Mark Marand worked for 22 years as a Principal Design Engineer in fortune 500 companies such as Honeywell, Intel, Nortel Networks, 3 Com Networks, Digital Equipment Corporation designing Hardware, and Diagnostic and Driver Software for Computer Systems, Networking, Storage Controllers and devices.  Some of these positions required Security Clearance.

Pamela Paul is an Associate Professor in the Network and Computer Technology Department at Wake Technical Community College.

Pamela has educated students in the networking field for over 15 years. During her time teaching, SEC110 (security) NOS130 Microsoft Windows 10 and NOS 230 Microsoft Windows server 2012 R2 and 2016, she has continued to learn earning certifications. Pamela is certified in Cisco CCNA and Microsoft MCP. Her responsibilities at the college include teaching as well as defining the design and operation of several labs on Wake Tech's RTP and South and North campus as well as many satellite locations.

Pamela has an A.A.S. in Networking Technologies from Wake Technical Community College.

Dr. John D Sheuring is the IT Cybersecurity Instructor at Wake Technical Community College. He also is also an instructor for Introduction into Computers and Network and Security Fundamentals. He has spoken with various groups within the Raleigh-Durham Area on Cybersecurity and Security. He has also attended conferences in the last 6 years and has given presentations on Information Technology and Computer Security. He has also presented at Professional Development with Wake Technical Community College in the last 3 years giving presentations on Nontraditional Students.

Dr. Sheuring has numerous published articles on the unrelated field. He has published articles on the Nontraditional Student in Higher Education. He is currently working on a book Cybersecurity and is due for publishing in March 2019. He obtained his DM (Doctorate of Management) in Homeland Security and a Master’s of Science in Information Technology Management and Security Management.

Leon Henry Squire is an Assistant Professor in the Networking and Computer Technologies department at Wake Technical Community College with interests and specialties in Virtualization and Cloud Computing.  Concurrently as a student in Wake Tech’s Data Storage and Virtualization, and Network Management degrees, Leon has been able to use his cooperative experiences with local Partners to advise and improve the curriculum.  Furthermore, his past experiences in software development has allowed him to incorporate concepts of the development and deployment life cycles into his courses.

Leon’s teaching expertise includes networking and security fundamentals, enterprise hardware and operating systems, and virtualization administration.

Larry Strain is an instructor for Networking and Computer Technologies department at Wake Technical Community College. Larry teaches a variety of courses including Network & Security fundamentals, and all four courses in the Cisco Networking Academy.  Prior to Wake Tech, Mr. Strain was an Associate Professor teaching computer/networking classes full-time for 27 years at Ivy Tech Community College (Bloomington, IN). Starting around 2001, his teaching focus changed from programming languages to networking classes, using the curriculum developed by the Cisco Networking Academy. In 2010 he was the recipient of the President’s Award for Excellence in Instruction (Bloomington). Larry earned B.S. in Education (General Science) with High Distinction from Indiana University.

Barbara Warner is an instructor for the Digital Forensics and Ethical Hacking classes taught as part of the Cybersecurity Degree Program at Wake Technical Community College. She came to Wake Tech after concluding her career at the IBM Corporation where she last served as the Vice President of Global Cyber Security. Her responsibilities at IBM included overseeing the development and deployment of cybersecurity initiatives aimed at protecting the IBM services division and its clients. She was also a member of the IBM core team which worked with Federal Banking Regulators from the FFIEC (Federal Financial Institution Examination Council) throughout IBM examinations. At Wake Tech she has been responsible for building the Digital Forensics courses, assisting in the design of the RTP campus forensics lab, and developing the Ethical Hacking curriculum of study. Mrs. Warner hold a Bachelor of Science from Cornell University in Ithaca and a Master’s Certificate from The George Washington University. She is certified with CompTIA in Security+ and is a Certified Computer Forensic Examiner. She is a Project Management Professional with the Project Management Institute since 2000.