CBC Foundation Newsletter – Spring 2023

CBC FOUNDATION

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

David Billetdeaux, Chair

Port of Benton

Melda Velasquez, Vice Chair & Board Development Chair

Kadlec Regional Medical Center

Matt Backlund, Treasurer & Finance

Chair

Community First Bank

Douglas Christensen, Secretary Kennewick School District

Matthew Petersen, Immediate Past Chair

Petersen Hastings

Rebekah Dobbs, Gift, Estate and Planned Giving Chair STCU

Marsha Halverson, Fund Development Chair - Educator, Retired

Lynn Tegeler, Scholarship Chair Central Plateau Cleanup Company

Rebekah Woods

Columbia Basin College President

Andrew Chung

Gesa Credit Union

Tina Clouston

Local Union 598

Stephanie Green

Washington River Protection Solutions

Shaina Griffitts

ASCBC Representative

Ann Harper Artist

Kedrich Jackson

Columbia Basin College Trustee

Moses Jaraysi

Whitney LaMarche

Hadron Intinsic Consulting, LLC

Shawn Nyman

CBC Faculty Representative

Mitch Peterson CompuNet

Edgardo Quiroz-Moreno

Keller Williams

Scott Sax

Shirley Simmons

CG Public House

Tayler Welch

Monte Nail, CPA

CBC FOUNDATION STAFF

Erin Fishburn

Executive Director

Devon Holze

Sarah Murphy

Cala Truitt

Creating a Pipeline of CYBERSECURITY TALENT

The cybersecurity landscape is constantly changing, and cyber professionals are in high demand. But the United States is facing a cybersecurity workforce gap of more than 400,000, according to (ISC)2, an international cybersecurity professional organization. Worldwide the shortfall is over 3.4 million.

To help address this challenge, Columbia Basin College, Washington State University, Central Washington University, University of Idaho and Montana State University partnered to establish the Northwest Virtual Institute for Cybersecurity Education and Research or CySER, funded by a Department of Defense grant.

CySER’s training program merges classroom lessons with hands-on, experiential learning opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to prepare the next generation of Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (ROTC) and civilian cybersecurity professionals.

CBC leads the training for Junior ROTC students at area high schools to reach underrepresented populations in the industry.

“The CySER program opens the door for students who often don’t

have these opportunities or think they have to leave home to pursue a career in cybersecurity,” said CySER Program Manager and CBC Cyber Security Professor Matt Boehnke. “This program provides a clear path to pursue a career in cybersecurity locally from high school through college.”

Melissa Patterson, a CBC Cyber Security program student and CySER advisor mentors Kennewick High School Junior ROTC students and helps them prepare for cybersecurity competitions. Under her guidance, the students won first place in the state and second in the nation in the AllService Division at a recent Air Force Association CyberPatriot competition.

“It’s inspiring to work with these students and see them get excited for future careers in computer science or cybersecurity,” she said.

Training the Next Generation of Military Cyber Sleuths: CBC Cyber Security program student Melissa Patterson (third from right) mentors area high school students.

WHERE THEY ARE NOW CBC School of Computer Science Alum

Paul Francik didn’t have a straight path to his career as a Cyber Security Analyst & Team Lead at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. It was a scholarship from the CBC Foundation that completely changed the trajectory of his life.

PAUL FRANCIK CANDIE ESTRADA

“At 18, I started my studies at CBC in the Music program. I performed in the community and opened a photography studio,” said Paul. “Then I worked at Hanford as a Chemical Technologist for nine months where a spark for working in a lab environment was ignited.”

Paul wanted to return to school, but it was difficult with a wife and two children, so he started a career as a hairstylist.

“Ten years later, I discovered that CBC had a new degree in Cyber Security,” he said. “With the financial support I received, I could finally pursue my dream.”

Today, Paul helps provide a pathway for others to succeed.

“I am so grateful for the help I received,” he said. “I am now a donor, so my family can help others pursue their dreams when it seems impossible.”

Candie Estrada found her passion for the Information Technology industry while sitting in a project management class at CBC.

“That requirement was the first non-IT class I had to complete for my bachelor’s degree, and it made me realize, ‘I can do this,’” she said.

Project Management Professor Melissa Slater made everything click for Candie.

“I realized I could bridge my planning and management skills with the technical skills I was learning in my IT classes to focus my career on project planning and coordination,” said Candie.

Candie graduated from CBC with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Cyber Security in 2021 and is now pursuing her master’s in Information Technology Management at WGU.

Her career aspiration is to become a Chief Technology Officer.

“The IT industry is ever-changing, and using tech to better the world appeals to me,” said Candie.

59 Student CyberHawks Competing in 2023 State & National Cyber Defense Competitions

Why We Give

“Individuals who serve in the military give so much and sometimes need just a little bit of help to complete their degree or certificate. That’s why my wife and I dedicate an annual CBC Foundation scholarship to support veterans. A scholarship helps ease the burden, fan the flame of the student’s success, and allows students to continue to give. It is so rewarding to be a part of that process!”

2014

CBC was Designated as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) by the National Security Agency (NSA)

SCHOLARSHIP

14 Faculty With Real-World Experience Who Teach in CBC’s School of Computer Science

LEARN MORE About CBC's School of Computer Science Programs

Ashley & Lee Williams AMENE ANNUAL

2023 RECIPIENT OF THE AMENE ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP

From Hawks to Hanford!

HMIS donated $150,000 to support the Pathways to Hanford Program. This generous donation will help CBC strengthen and diversify Hanford’s workforce pipeline.

CBC FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS Thank you for supporting

“When I graduate with my bachelor’s in cybersecurity, I’ll be the first in my family to earn a college degree. The path has not been easy, but I’m proof that anyone can achieve their goals and aspirations with hard work, dedication and support from caring people like you.”

Alejandro