TSYS Cybersecurity Lecturer Elke Brumbaugh Provides Students with Next-Level Experiential Learning Opportunities

Based on a teaching philosophy is centered on creating transformative learning experiences that actively engage students, foster confidence, and prepare them for success in the cybersecurity workforce, TSYYS School cybersecurity lecturer Elke Brumbaugh immerses her students in authentic, hands-on environments, supported through mentorship, in order to expose them to real world applications of their studies. For example, students in her CPSC 1301 course had the option to design and program a robot as their final project. Brumbaugh found that this hands-on approach concepts in a practical context. In other courses she integrated extensive industry engagement by hosting over 50 guest speakers from the cybersecurity field. These professionals provided students with authentic insights into the realities of cybersecurity practice, including workplace expectations, required technical and professional competencies, and the dynamic nature of real-world problem-solving. Through practice Brumbaugh has also found that mock interviews are an effective pedagogical tool that bridges theoretical learning with real-world application. By simulating authentic interview scenarios, they provide students with experiential learning opportunities that reinforce course concepts such as communication, professionalism, and critical thinking. Brumbaugh's CYNX 2159 students are also exposed to an experiential learning opportunity wherein the CSU Network Engineer leads a guided tour of CSU’s server and networking infrastructure. During this engagement, students are introduced to the design, implementation, and management of an enterprise-level network environment, while also having the opportunity to engage directly with a practicing professional in the field. Lastly, Brumbaugh's CYNX 2160 students encounter a field-based experiential learning opportunity through a visit to the FIS Security Operations Center (SOC). This experience provides students with direct exposure to an enterprise-level SOC environment, where they observe real-time security operations and engage with cybersecurity professionals. As Brumbaugh explains, "These experiences provide students with tangible connections between classroom instruction and operational environments, reinforcing their understanding and inspiring career pathways."