Aaron Degrave

Alexia Bowie

Favorite Class

Digital Forensic Analysis

Why does your field matter?

As technology and crime grows, the world needs and deserves a group of people to beable to properly analyze different incidents related to the digital world, and do it well. At Champlain, I can honestly say I have been set up for the best in terms of placing my foot in the door to professional experiences and helping others in the best way possible.

So far, what classes, projects, or experiences have been most impactful for you?

The classes that have been the most impactful, specifically, are my Core classes. In these classes, I have honestly learned some of the most eye-opening and interesting concepts such as the importance of culture, different kinds of sciences, and philosophy. I began to view the world differently and more positively upon completing the courses, and I genuinely appreciate those experiences so much.

What do you want to be ready for upon graduation, and how is Champlain helping you get there?

Upon graduation, I want to be ready to enter a professional environment and willing to take advantage of opportunities given to me. Champlain has helped and pushed me toward getting there by the various programs they have offered to me, dedicated to establishing a professional image and presenting new opportunities to people like me.

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Madi Brumbelow

Specialization

Threats & Mitigation

Internships

Capgemini Invent in Shanghai, China and Global Technology Summer Analyst with Bank of America, Charlotte, NC

Favorite Class

Malware Analysis

Post-Grad Job

Global Technology Analyst with Bank of America

What is your favorite class you’ve taken at Champlain?

My favorite class that I have taken at Champlain was the Malware Analysis course. In this class, we analyzed real pieces of malware in controlled environments and learned ways to detect, evaluate, and remove these malicious files from computers. My favorite part of this course was when we got to look at ransomware-this is a very common threat right now, and it is helpful to learn how these types of malware work!

What was your study-abroad experience like?

My study-abroad experience stemmed from the Freeman Foundation Grant in the summer of 2019. I completed an internship abroad with Capgemini Invent in Shanghai, China. In addition, I took a few courses on Chinese Language and Culture at East China Normal University.This experience was extremely valuable as part of my overall education because I experienced living and working in the biggest city in the world! I learned how to navigate a workplace at a large, international company and how to meet, interact with, and communicate with top-level executives. I also learned about China’s history, culture, language, and the importance they play in the world currently.

Can you tell us more about any other internships you’ve had?

I have also been a Global Technology Summer Analyst with Bank of America in Charlotte, North Carolina. During this internship, I collaborated virtually with team members, cohorts, and managers to complete projects dealing with data literacy, visualization, optimization, and environmental and social justice. I learned and developed cybersecurity attack and defense skills, including the usage of Kali Linux tools and Kibana, as well as developed skills in Microsoft Excel, Python, teamwork, and collaboration.

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Jonathan Castro

Specialization

Cyber Threats & Mitigation

Internship

Cyber Security Intern at Boingo Wireless in Los Angeles, CA

Post-Grad Job

Associate Consultant at The Crypsis Group in Los Angeles, CA

What made you choose the Computer & Digital Forensics major?

I realized that [Digital Forensics] was what I’ve always wanted to do, I just didn’t know it was an actual profession—as far as I knew, it was what detectives did. When it came time for the application process I emailed the Senior Analyzer for Digital Forensics at DirecTV and I asked him which school he recommended for Digital Forensics and he essentially told me that if I was really serious about the major to go to Champlain College. The interns he’s had in the past from Champlain have by far been the best. It was sort of a no-brainer. Go to Champlain College because it has a good reputation in the industry.

Can you tell us about your work with The Leahy Center for Digital Forensics & Cybersecurity?

The thing I love about the Leahy Center is that it’s an actual world-class laboratory that allows students to do ground-breaking research their first year there. Although they [classes and the Leahy Center] both teach real-world things, at the Leahy Center there are real-world consequences. In class, if I do something wrong I can just start over, but at the Leahy Center if I’m doing research and I mess something up, I have to start the whole project over because the evidence I had has been tampered with and it won’t be proper to analyze.

Have you had any internships in your field?

I was a security engineer at a small company called Boingo Wireless and what they do is that they distribute wifi for major venues like airports and military bases.When I got there, within the first week I was actually confronted by the director and he said, “Hey, I don’t know if you don’t feel comfortable or not, but always feel comfortable to ask questions during meetings,” because during the first week I essentially attended every meeting that they had. He was surprised when I told him, I actually understood everything—that was the reason I wasn’t asking any questions.
Towards the end of the internship they were trying to get me to get Champlain grads to work at Boingo because of the fact that they saw me as a sophomore and how experienced I’d been.

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Adam Ferrante

Specialization

Cybersecurity

Internship

Consulting Intern at Mandiant in New York, NY

Post-Grad Job

Associate Consultant at Mandiant in New York, NY

What do you like about your major?

I like that you need an investigative mindset to solve a crime or figure out what happened in a digital or technical realm. I can use my past experiences with tech and computing to build narratives on different crimes that may have occurred.

How has Champlain prepared you for the professional world?

I transferred to Champlain with a degree in Cybersecurity, but I was interested in the Digital Forensics field, and that’s not something that’s commonly offered. I kept Cybersecurity as my specialization. Those skills combined prepared me for my internship and helped me thrive.

Can you tell us about your internship?

I was an Information Security intern at Boehringer Ingelheim. It’s a pharmaceutical company based out of Germany, and I worked in Division of Information Technology & Sciences Connecticut office doing an awareness project and a web security framework. I also have an internship lined up for this summer at a company called Mandiant, which does incident response. I’m looking to get as much experience as I can, especially with hands-on incident response, using the content I’ve learned in the classroom.

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Aaron Leonard

Specialization

Cyber Investigations

Internship

Cadet at the Vermont Army National Guard in South Burlington, VT

Post-Grad Job

Lieutenant at the Newark Volunteer Fire Department in Newark, VT

How did you decide on your Computer & Digital Forensics major?

I chose Champlain because of the Digital Forensics major, which interested me more than anything else I’d seen at other schools. I’ve always been interested in computers, and since I want to go into law enforcement after college, Computer & Digital Forensics was the logical move to make. I like Champlain’s program because I get to take my major-specific classes early with the Upside-Down Curriculum. I wanted to go to one of the best schools in the country for my degree.

So how did the Upside-Down Curriculum impact your education?

My major-specific classes and professors give me hands-on experience with topics I’ll need when I enter the field. I’ve already done practical reports in my cybercrime, forensic science, and digital forensics classes. Instead of just hearing about methods and ideas, I’m actually applying them.

Can you tell us about your experience with the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC)?

The University of Vermont’s United States Army ROTC hosts students from other area schools, such as Champlain. The partnership allows us to participate in the program and experience a lot of interesting classes and hands-on training. It also provides great scholarship opportunities. I get to do a lot of things most other college students won’t ever do, and I have the opportunity to serve my country in the military when I graduate.

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Mackenzie Marsocci

Internship

Intern at NuHarbor Security in Essex Junction, VT

What drew you to Champlain initially?

I attended the Cybersecurity & Digital Forensics Summer Academy before coming to college, and that gave me a lot of hands-on experience and allowed me to work for a few weeks in the Leahy Center for Digital Investigation before I was even a Champlain student. I met some professors I’m still close with, and having that kind of encouragement gave me the push I needed to pick a career path that wasn’t necessarily in the plan.

So how did you decide your double major?

I decided to declare in Cybersecurity because that’s what I enjoyed the most at the Summer Academy, and then I decided to add Digital Forensics. I knew it would be a lot more work, but I like being busy.

Have you studied abroad?

Yes! I studied abroad in Dublin, Ireland. We lived in a neighborhood called the Liberties. The great thing about living there is that you don’t feel like a tourist. You get connected right away to the local community, and you realize that there are people living their lives there. Shopping at the local shops and staying away from the big grocery stores is very important because it allows you to get to know people in the community.

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Laila Martinez

Minors

Conflict Management and Criminal Justice

Internships

Information Assurance Intern at NuHarbor Security

What drew you to your major?

Most people use computers in their daily lives. However, not many people understand the security implications of using that technology and inputting sensitive information. What if your computer gets hacked? What would you do if the store you bought products from was breached and your personal information was stolen? I want to help people understand what happened and what they could do to help themselves recover.

Why Champlain for studying Computer & Digital Forensics?

Champlain’s Digital Forensics program helps me build skills in investigating an incident, understanding what has happened, and communicating that information to others in order for them to understand what is at stake and how it could affect them. Along with the professional opportunities available, I was able to explore and gain hands-on experience from the very start of my freshman year within my field.

What opportunities have allowed you to apply classroom learning to real-world settings in your field?

My internship and eventual employment at the Leahy Center contributed a lot towards my development and understanding of cybersecurity concepts and how they can be applied in a real world setting. These experiences allowed me to apply what I learned in class to real simulations where I am able to make mistakes and learn from them. Coming from not having much technical knowledge prior to college, I was able to build my skills and see how these skills can be used in the industry.

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Anna Matich

Double Major

Computer Science & Innovation, and Computer & Digital Forensics

Internships

Software Engineer Application Developer Intern at Workday in Pleasanton, CA

Travel Courses

Tanzania and India

You’ve been on several Core travel courses. Can you tell us about those?

Champlain offers many Core travel courses, and I was fortunate enough to take two. My second year, I took an Aesthetic Expressions course in the fall semester. We learned about the artistic culture in Zanzibar. Then, over winter break, we spent two weeks in Zanzibar, which was amazing. We met with three schools on the island of Pemba, which inspired my work with Techdren. I took the second class in the series during the spring semester, where we debriefed the trip and learned more about the religious and secular aspects of the culture.My third year, I took a Core class with a travel component to India. We went for a week and saw the Taj Mahal and the Lotus temple. It was a really great experience, and we were able to see how different religions interacted together.

What is Techdren?

Techdren, Technology for Children, is officially a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and I’m the CEO and co-founder. We first started on a Core travel course, and since then we’ve grown into a full nonprofit and run two successful trips delivering technology to students and primary schools on the Island of Pemba. We focus on providing technology for children with the goal of furthering education and technology literacy, as well as empowering girls and women.

Can you tell us about your double major?

When I first came to college as a Computer Networking & Digital Forensics student, I was really excited about everything I was learning in class, but I was missing computer programming. When I talked to employers about what kind of opportunities they had, they said how great digital forensics is, but they also needed someone with a programming background. Since then, Champlain has added programming classes to the Digital Forensics major, but I decided I was going to try some on my own before they did. I realized I really enjoyed my computer science classes, so I added my second major of Computer Science & Innovation. Even with a double major, I’m able to graduate in four years, which is amazing.

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Dylan Navarro

Concentration

Cybersecurity Operations

Internships

The Leahy Center at Champlain College, Department of Defense in San Diego, CA

Favorite Class

Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing

Post-Grad Job

Department of Defense

What drew you to your major?

I’ve always found technology fascinating. Growing up playing multiplayer games with my friends is what got me interested in a career in some IT discipline. I really enjoyed learning how to set up game servers and keep them running so I could play with my friends. As time progressed, I wanted to take my technical knowledge and use that to help people. Digital forensics seemed like a great way to do that. Once I arrived at Champlain I started working at the Leahy Center. The work I did there made me realize I really enjoy the topics covered in the Cybersecurity major. For that reason, I decided to double major my sophomore year.The world is more digital than ever, and every day more and more items are connected to the internet. With this growth of technology has also come cybercrime. These cybercriminals conduct operations that can target individuals or large scale organizations that impact hundreds to millions of people across the globe. The cybersecurity industry and law enforcement have been working hard to stop these cybercriminals but there is a shortage of skilled professionals.

What opportunities have allowed you to apply classroom learning to real-world experience in your field?

The Northeastern Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (NECCDC) was a great opportunity I participated in that allowed me to apply my classroom learning to real-world settings. NECCDC is a competition in which students from institutions across the Northeast defend simulated company networks against professional ethical hackers. Working on a team of eight, students have to defend a network over multiple days while also completing business objectives to ensure that the fictitious company is still operational during cyber-attacks. I have been fortunate enough to have participated in this event for the past three years moving my way up to our team’s Linux lead.

How do you think your experiences will give you a competitive advantage post-grad?

Through the hands-on learning at Champlain and the work I’ve done at the Leahy Center I have experience with many industry standard technologies. This is something that a lot of people my age don’t have. Since starting at Champlain I have been working in positions that are directly relevant to my field. This means that when I graduate, I will have about four years of relevant work experience.

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Cecilia Pohlar

Internships

Leahy Center for Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity in Burlington, VT; Vermont Mutual Insurance Group in Berlin, VT; and Department of Defense in Charleston, SC

Favorite Class

Malware Analysis

Post-Grad Job

Department of Defense in a Digital Forensics & Cybersecurity

What do you like about your program?

The biggest thing I love about my program is the candid relationship we all have with each other. Professors don’t hold back in telling you when you haven’t done good work, but they also take every opportunity to congratulate and build you up when you do well. My classmates and I all cheer each other on so much when we get that job we wanted or get to speak at a big conference. I think that family aspect is something a lot of other schools miss out on.

What projects have you worked on in classes that you’ve found particularly rewarding or useful?

The open-ended projects I’ve worked on in my Digital Forensics classes have been the most beneficial to me. Professors will often give us full investigations to perform, which have increased in difficulty throughout the years. They hand us an image of a system and tell us to figure out what’s there and write a report on it. They don’t hold your hand through it. This is what real life will look like for us as Digital Forensics Analysts, and I’m so thankful I’ve already had so much experience with it just at Champlain.

What are your plans after graduation?

After graduation, I will be moving to South Carolina to work with the Department of Defense in a Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity position. I actually received the offer for this position as part of the Department of Defense Cybersecurity scholarship program at the end of my sophomore year, so I’ve known my after-graduation plans for almost two years now.Champlain is one of a limited number of colleges and universities across the US which offer this scholarship to students in our field. I’m beyond thankful to have been chosen for this scholarship along with a few of my classmates, and am really looking forward to starting my career in federal service.

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Keegan Thomas

Piece of advice to students?

Having set a plan is better than not planning for anything as you can at least be aware of what you need to do.

What's your favorite book or movie?

Movie: Spirited Away

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