I graduated from Old Dominion University with a B.S. in Human Services. I used this degree to assist those placed in foster care, the homeless, those with mentally ill, intellectual disabilities, and/or substance use disorders gain stability in the community. I have worked with various non-profit and government agencies for over 10 years to improve the community for those in need. I have assisted persons with obtaining government entitlements such as housing, disability, SNAP, Medicaid and Medicare. I have also ensured I maintained compliance with HIPAA and Sarbanes-Oxley while assisting these persons.

Working as a case manager for homeless families, foster care youth, seriously mentally ill adults, and Medicaid recipients provided an opportunity to make a significant and positive impact in the lives of vulnerable populations. By helping individuals and families access the resources and support they needed, I was able to help improve their quality of life and promote their overall well-being.

By working with diverse populations and addressing complex needs and issues I developed a deep understanding of the challenges facing clients and the systems that were in place to support them. This experience also helped me to build a strong network of professional relationships and to develop a deep sense of empathy and compassion.

Working with vulnerable populations was personally rewarding and fulfilling. These experiences taught me to constantly learn and adapt to new situations and challenges. Overall, working as a case manager was a meaningful and transformative experience that left a lasting impact on the lives of both clients and case managers alike. It allowed me to develop important skills and competencies, such as communication, problem-solving, and resourcefulness. These skills have allowed me to gain several promotions culminating in a management position in a national healthcare organization. 

During this time I discovered I also had a passion for technology that I had been neglecting. This led me to pursue a second B.S. in CyberSecurity at Old Dominion University. Human Services has given me a great foundation for various aspects of cybersecurity as a front-end user, a compliance agent, and as someone confronted with maintaining ethical obligations on a daily basis.

Here are some accomplishments I was able to pursue in the cybersecurity field while working full-time:

• Old Dominion Cyber Security Student Association
  • Student Member
  • Attended bi-weekly meetings that assisted with skill-building
  • Networking through Discord
• MetaCTF 2020
  • Team Placed 16th in the JH Discord Scoreboard & 287th Overall