Coastline Community College

Sat, 15 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Associates in Cybersecurity

In Fall 2022, as the world was emerging from the pandemic, I found myself at a crossroads. I had changed majors several times—Psychology, Health & Fitness, and even Firefighting—searching for a field that truly fit me. During a family gathering, I spoke with my uncle, a Marine Corps veteran who had served for more than two decades. He told me that cybersecurity was “like a giant puzzle,” something that rewards curiosity, analytical thinking, and persistence. That single conversation gave me the direction I had been searching for.

Dakota State University

Sat, 15 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Masters in Cyber Defense

In Spring 2025, I was accepted into the 4+1 Cyber Defense program at Dakota State University, allowing me to simultaneously complete my undergraduate and graduate coursework. Beginning this fall, I started my first master’s-level course, INFA 713, which focuses on managing security risks at an enterprise level. This course emphasizes advanced methodologies in threat assessment, risk management, and the development of formal security documentation. Through real-world case studies and hands-on assignments, I am learning how to properly evaluate organizational vulnerabilities, identify threats, and construct professional security plans and business-level deliverables that align with industry standards and best practices. This program is strengthening both my technical foundation and my ability to communicate risk in a structured, actionable way for stakeholders and leadership teams.

Educations on AJ Garrett

Coastline Community College

Associates in Cybersecurity

Dakota State University

Masters in Cyber Defense