CONFERENCE PLANNING COMMITTEE

Cori Araza has been an educator for over twenty years, serving as a teacher-leader in high school, post-secondary, and university STEM education. From classroom teaching to launching new programs in support of K-12 education, she serves as the Executive Director for K-12 Services and Solutions at Grand Canyon University. In this role, she consistently leverages university programming to develop K-12 STEM initiatives in cybersecurity and beyond.

Susana Barraza is the NICE Program Manager and Lead for Communications and Engagement at NIST. She previously served as the Student Personnel Assistant for the HSI STEM Equity and Success Initiative (SESI) Project at Sacramento City College. She has also participated in a Political Management Seminar at The George Washington University as a component of a fellowship with the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute in Washington, DC. Additionally, Susana served as an intern for Ford Motor Company, the House of Representatives, and for the California State Assembly. She is currently pursuing a Master's in education, with a focus on organizational leadership and learning at The George Washington University.

Cathleen Barton consults on workforce and economic development, specializing in business/education partnerships and high tech apprenticeships. Current projects include developing and facilitating a youth apprenticeships in cyber security with The Center for the Future of Arizona’s Pathways to Prosperity early college and career high school initiative and supporting the ASU AZNEXT DOL grant to develop 1600 IT, Cyber and Data Analytics apprenticeships. Cathleen Chairs the Workforce Development and Education Committee for the Arizona Technology Council, serves on the Cybersecurity Committee and is on the Advisory Board for Opportunity for Youth.

BWith nearly two decades of teaching experience, Bobbie Bastian leads Computer Science and Cybersecurity instruction at FutureForward at Bollman within Adams 12 Five Star Schools. She holds several leadership roles, including President of the CACTE ETMA Division and member of the AP Cybersecurity Development Committee. Bobbie is a dedicated advocate for rigorous standards, having chaired the Colorado Computer Science Standards Revision and facilitated national workshops for fellow educators.

Dr. Shannon Beck is the Director of the Virginia and U.S. Cyber Ranges at Virginia Tech. She brings experience in cybersecurity education, outreach, and research from her previous roles as an Associate Professor in the Computer and Cyber Sciences department at the United States Air Force Academy, the Program Coordinator for the Secure and Trustworthy Cyberspace (SaTC) program at the National Science Foundation, and as a scientist and member of the cybersecurity incident response team at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Fran Bromley-Norwood is honored to be the President of the Engineering and Technology Education Division (ETED) within the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE). ETED has four areas of interest, Art, Media, and Entertainment, Esports, IT, and STEM. Fran has the privilege of sharing her knowledge of computer science and cybersecurity with students, teachers, administrators, and industry professionals.

Dwight Farris holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, a M.S. in Informational Technology, a M.S. in Educational Technology, and a Ph.D. in Psychology. He was employed as a systems engineer, programmer, systems analyst, database administrator (DBA), and engineering manager for almost 25 years. Dr. Farris has taught at GCU since 2016 and currently serves as the lead faculty for cybersecurity.

Amanda Fitzgerald serves as the Assistant Deputy Executive Director for the American School Counselor Association (ASCA). She has worked for the association since 2003 in various capacities. While she serves as a liaison for community partnerships, she primarily focuses on government relations efforts for the national office. Amanda earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education from Arizona State University, a Master of Arts in School Counseling from The George Washington University and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania.

Tim Freitas brings over 30 years of experience in education, beginning in athletic training and health before moving into instructional technology at Kamehameha Schools, where he has served since 1992. He holds a master’s degree in Educational Technology and founded Girls in Cyber HI to inspire young women in cybersecurity while coaching students in national competitions like CyberPatriot and the National Cyber League. Tim is passionate about advancing cyber education, fostering innovation, and promoting lifelong learning.

As Director of the Heartland Cyber Range at EnterpriseKC, Chuck develops immersive cybersecurity learning experiences and curriculum that equip learners with real-world defense skills and research capabilities. He plays a key role in identifying and nurturing high-potential cyber talent across the region.

Before joining EnterpriseKC, Chuck spent a decade in K-12 education, followed by nine years at CYBER.ORG, where he developed national cybersecurity curriculum and supported educators, school districts, state departments of education, and regional and federal partners in building cybersecurity capacity. Since 2016, he has also led a landmark initiative with Virginia’s Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired, delivering accessible cybersecurity education to more than 120 students statewide.

Janet Hartkopf is the Emerging Technologies Coordinator for Chandler Unified School District, where she leads the design and management of innovative programs that connect K–12 education with industry and higher education. She recently helped launch the district’s first CTE semiconductor program at Hamilton High School in partnership with the University of Arizona. A member of WiCyS Phoenix and InfraGard, Hartkopf is a 2022 Passport to Cybersecurity award recipient and the 2023 ACTE Region V Innovative CTE Program award winner. She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Cyber Operations at the University of Arizona, expected to graduate in May 2026.

Willie Henderson is the Business Development Manager at the Cyber Innovation Center, where he leads strategic partnerships and initiatives that expand access to cybersecurity education, workforce development, and advanced technical services. A doctoral candidate at LSU–Shreveport, he brings more than 25 years of experience in public education and national leadership in K–12 cybersecurity initiatives. He is married to the former Letetia Player, and together they have one son, Willie Henderson III (“Trey”).

Dr. Rob Honomichl is an Assistant Professor of Cyber Operations at the University of Arizona, where he focuses on expanding access to cybersecurity education. He has led and supported grant-funded initiatives centered on K–12 education, workforce development, and experiential learning, including national programs such as GenCyber, CTE CyberNet, and the Middle Grades Accelerator. He works closely with educators through initiatives like the National Cybersecurity Teachers Academy and the Arizona Cybersecurity Clinic. With more than 25 years of experience across secondary and higher education, his teaching, outreach, and research emphasize applied cybersecurity, strong community partnerships, and sustainable pathways from K–12 to higher education and the cybersecurity workforce. He also serves as the university’s point of contact for the Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations.

Tiffany N. Jones is a nationally recognized Computer Science and Cybersecurity educator at Global Impact Academy STEM Magnet High School in Fairburn, Georgia. A DoD STEM Ambassador alumna and current NSTA DSEC STEM Fellow, she serves on the CSTA Standards Writing Team and is a resource developer for the Georgia Department of Education Computer Science division. Tiffany bridges classroom instruction, industry partnerships, and advanced research experiences to align K–12 cybersecurity education with workforce needs. Through national competitions, real-world cybersecurity challenges, and standards-aligned curriculum design, she builds authentic, equity-centered learning experiences that prepare students for careers in cybersecurity and emerging technologies while strengthening sustainable pathways from classroom to career.

As Director and Operations and Programs for iKeepSafe, the host of the NICE K12 Cybersecurity Education Conference, Felicia has been the primary organizer of the event for the past eight years. She has extensive experience in marketing for education and education technology organizations. She is passionate about promoting digital citizenship, internet safety, and cybersecurity in education. She is also a proponent of developing trainings and resources for educators, leaders, and students that promote a healthy, safe and diversity inclusive organizational culture. Prior to entering the marketing and non-profit fields, Felicia taught a career and technical education graphic arts program for 8 years. Felicia holds an MBA in Marketing, an MSM in Organizational Leadership and Change, and Missouri Secondary and Post-secondary Teaching Certification in Graphic Design, Commercial Art and Illustration. She is also a Yoga Alliance YTT200 certified yoga instructor, mom, partner, dog mom, and keyboard and vocalist in her band, the Habaneros.

Amber has an extensive portfolio of strategic work with corporate partners, schools, and organizations to develop nationwide initiatives, launch national prevention programs, and design best practices for youth protection and privacy. With a strong background in organizational leadership, strategic planning and youth protection, her gift is the ability to bring together various stakeholders to successfully work toward a common goal.

Prior to working at iKeepSafe, Amber served as the Manager of Marketing and Outreach for the NetSmartz Workshop, a program for The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, and at The Constitution Project. Amber holds a B.A. in Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations.

Ed Mondragon is a CTE Coordinator over the Digital Technology program in Granite School District with a passion for cybersecurity education. He has been involved with the NICE K12 Community since his initial participation in the 2017 NICE K12 Conference (Nashville) and has served on the Planning Committee for many years.

Jereme Monette is a leader in educational technology with over 20 years of experience in K-12 teaching and learning. As Supervisor of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (CTAE) for Hillsborough County Public Schools, Jereme led district-wide technology initiatives that expanded CTAE course offerings and improved student learning and performance. Jereme now supports cybersecurity education across Florida as a Cybersecurity and CTE Program Specialist with Cyber Florida at the University of South Florida, where he helps facilitate professional development for educators, engaging learning experiences for students, and programmatic support for school district leaders.

Dr. Davina Pruitt-Mentle serves as Lead for Academic Engagement of the NICE Program at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Prior to joining NICE, she was a senior researcher and policy analyst for Educational Technology Policy, Research and Outreach (ETPRO) and served as the Co-PI for the National Science Foundation (NSF) supported National Cyberwatch Center (NCC). Previous to NCC leadership, she served as faculty within the College of Education at the University of Maryland, College Park, and served as Director of Educational Technology Outreach within the College of Education at UMCP from 2001-2008. She has spent over 20 years conducting research on student and educator cyberawareness, and developing programs to help increase the STEM and cybersecurity workforce pipeline. She received her Ph.D. in Educational Technology Policy from the University of Maryland, her M.Ed from Lynchburg College, and her B.S. from Virginia Tech.

Tiffany Reeves is a high school CTE Networking and Cybersecurity educator in South Carolina with over 20 years of prior experience as a systems engineer. She prepares students for industry certifications and national competitions through hands-on, workforce-aligned learning and is passionate about expanding equitable access to K–12 computer science education, especially for girls pursuing careers in cybersecurity and technology.

Kristi Rice is a cybersecurity educator at Spotsylvania High School and a national leader advancing cybersecurity education. She is serving her ninth year on the NICE K12 Cybersecurity Education Conference Planning Committee, helping shape initiatives that strengthen the national cyber education ecosystem. Kristi contributes to curriculum development at both state and national levels and collaborates with educators across the country to expand sustainable cybersecurity programs. Beyond the classroom, she serves as Chair of the Virginia Cyber Range K–12 Advisory Committee and Co-Chair of the NICE K12 Community of Interest. A dedicated mentor and coach, Kristi is a U.S. Cyber Team Coach, preparing student cyber athletes for national and international competition. She received the 2021 Presidential Cybersecurity Education Award for excellence in teaching and leadership nationwide.

Grant Stoebner is a cybersecurity educator and practitioner with advanced academic training, holding a Master of Science in Cybersecurity and a Master of Science in Software Engineering. He brings extensive industry and military experience from his work as a Senior Offensive Cyber Planner with U.S. Army Cyber Command, along with 23 years of leadership experience, and currently works in K–12 cybersecurity education. He also holds multiple CompTIA certifications, including Security+, PenTest+, and additional credentials supporting industry-aligned instruction.

Ryan Straight is an Assistant Professor of Cyber Operations at the University of Arizona's College of Information Science. His research centers on cybersecurity education and human-AI collaboration, with multiple publications analyzing the NICE Workforce Framework. He is the author of Cyber Dimensions, an open educational resource for cyber ethics, and has developed GenCyber-aligned curricula bridging K-12 and postsecondary cybersecurity education.

Ben Syn, CISSP, is the Education Sector Director at KnowBe4, where he combines his background as a former special education teacher and university instructor to secure the entire educational spectrum. He spearheads the Student Edition to help schools prepare students aged 16+ for modern threats like AI-driven social engineering, while actively championing early-age safety through the free Children's Interactive Cybersecurity Activity Kit. Ben is committed to supporting educators by releasing fresh content—including modules on AI safety and cyberbullying—for both programs every quarter in 2026.

Former technology director who enjoys cybersecurity and CTF's. Strong advocate of building the next generation of tech talent. I have worked in multiple roles in education and have a unique perspective of education and what direction I hope it moves to.

Dr. Paul Wagner is a Professor of Practice in the College of Information Science at the University of Arizona (U of A). Paul is the director of U of A’s Arizona Cybersecurity Academy which focuses on K-20+ education initiatives, workforce development, and cybersecurity and AI research and is also the director of the Arizona Cybersecurity Clinic which provides student experiential learning and cybersecurity services to government and community partners. Prior to working with the University of Arizona, Paul spent 20 years in the Army. In addition to his Ph.D. in Cyber Defense from Dakota State University, Paul holds over twenty technical certifications.

Amber C. Williamson is a passionate cybersecurity doctoral candidate and educator in Atlanta, Georgia. She advocates for exposure to minorities in cybersecurity and computer science education through secondary education and historically black colleges and universities. Amber is a valuable resource to the community to provide insight into cybersecurity resiliency.

Sylvia began her teaching career pre-internet. In her 30+ years as a teacher, she has witnessed the evolution of computing devices and how the world communicates. In 1997, she taught her first CS course in Pascal. Bitten by the CS Bug, she has taught courses in C++, Java, JavaScript – not to mention HTML, Adobe, and Robot C. In 2018, Sylvia was tasked with teaching a Digital Forensics course. With limited resources, the class morphed into a cybersecurity course. Since then, she has taught a cybersecurity course or courses with a cyber component. She is currently on staff at St. Dominic Savio Catholic High School where teaches AP Computer Science and AP Cybersecurity. She mentors the Iron Eagles FTC Robotics and CyberPatriot teams

Donna Woods is a nationally recognized Cybersecurity Educator and program leader with a proven track record in curriculum development, grant acquisition, and innovative educational program design. Currently serving as the Head of Cyber | AI Partnerships for Work ED, she is committed to a collaborative mission of reaching underserved student populations through the National Initiative of Cyber Education (NICEK12) in providing strong guided pathways to students K-20, collaborating with educators across the county with a unified goal of shaping rigorous and relevant pathways for students pursuing careers in cybersecurity. With over $7.5 million secured in Strong Workforce Program Grants, Middle School Foundation Grants, and College & Career Readiness Partnership Grants, Donna has expanded student and educator access to high-quality, career-focused education.