Join us for the College of Computing Speaker Series. All events are free to attend and will include speakers from Illinois Tech, industry, and other universities. The series will be offered in-person and live online. Below are details about the next session.
No events are scheduled
Are you ready to take your next step in cybersecurity? Join an engaging panel discussion where industry experts and leaders share their insights on mentorship, career growth, and emerging opportunities in the cybersecurity field. Whether you’re an undergraduate exploring your path or a graduate student planning your next move, this conversation will offer valuable guidance and connections to help you succeed.
Learn more about these topics:
Erika C. Burt
Assistant Dean of Professional and Academic Programs
Illinois Institute of Technology, College of Computing
Nicole Beebe
Dean and Professor of Information Technology and Management
Illinois Institute of Technology, College of Computing
Laszlo Gonc
Chief Executive Officer
Next Era Transformation Group
Adam Lewis
Deputy Chief Information Security Officer
Alliant Credit Union
Board Member, ChiBrrCon
Fred Kwong
Vice President, Chief Information Security Officer
Devry University
Bruce Coffing
Chief Information Security Officer
City of Chicago
Explore Your Future in AI: Mentorship, Careers, and Next Steps
Curious about where a career in artificial intelligence can take you? Join an inspiring panel discussion where AI experts and industry leaders share their experiences, advice, and insights on mentorship, professional growth, and the future of work in AI. Whether you’re an undergraduate discovering your interests or a graduate student mapping your career path, this session will help you connect your academic experience to real-world opportunities.
Topics will include:
Erika C. Burt
Assistant Dean of Professional and Academic Programs
Illinois Tech, College of Computing
Nicole Beebe
Dean and Professor of Information Technology and Management
Illinois Tech, College of Computing
Justin Greis
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Acceligence
Paige Kinsley
Argonne Leadership Computing Facility Education Outreach Lead
Argonne National Laboratory
Arpit Gangrade
Director of Data & AI Engineering
CCC Intelligent Solutions
Starting a technology-related career requires an understanding of the benefits and risks of artificial intelligence and how it is rapidly changing cybersecurity. AI can strengthen defenses by enabling faster threat detection, predictive analysis, automated responses, and fraud prevention. It also introduces new challenges, as cybercriminals use AI for advanced phishing attacks, deepfakes, adaptive malware, and adversarial manipulation.
Join Ph.D. candidates from Illinois Tech’s College of Computing for a thought-provoking, virtual discussion on how AI protects and threatens our digital world, and the steps future tech professionals, businesses, and institutions must take to navigate its ethical and strategic challenges.
Join the discussion on the following topics:
MODERATOR:
Steve Rubinow, associate teaching professor of Information Technology and Management, College of Computing, Illinois Tech
PANELISTS:
Maria Soto
Ph.D. candidate – Information Technology and Management, College of Computing, Illinois Tech
Puya Pakshad
Ph.D. candidate - Information Technology and Management, College of Computing, Illinois Tech
Binghui Zhang
Ph.D. candidate– Computer Science, College of Computing, Illinois Tech
Illinois Institute of Technology’s College of Computing presents “Artificial Intelligence (AI): The Good, the Bad, and the Amazing Opportunities” as panelists discuss the following topics:
Lance Fortnow, dean of Illinois Tech's College of Computing moderates the discussion featuring panelists
Hannah Ringler, Illinois Tech assistant teaching professor and director of communication across the curriculum; Jennifer deWinter, dean of Illinois Tech's Lewis College of Science and Letters; Bich-Thuy Le, global AI and technology innovation executive; and Kai Shu, Gladwin Development Chair Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Illinois Tech.
The online panel discussion “Cybersecurity Awareness: Trends of AI, Blockchain, and Cybersecurity” as we discuss the following topics:
Moderator Ray Trugstad, Associate Chair, Department of Information Technology and Management, leads the discussion with the following panelists:
Marwan Omar, associate professor of information technology and management/cybersecurity, Illinois Institute of Technology
Binghui Wang, assistant professor of computer science, Illinois Institute of Technology
Sajad Meisami, Ph.D. candidate and instructor in computer science, Illinois Institute of Technology
Puya Pakshad, Ph.D. candidate, information technology and management, Illinois Institute of Technology
Women in Tech: Thriving in Tech Careers, Advocating for Advancement, and Navigating Non-Tech Roles in Tech Spaces covers the following topics:
Allecia Harley, founder and chief executive officer of Prevention Advisory Group, moderates the panel. Panelists include Nichole Pinkard, Alice Hamilton Professor of Education and the social policy faculty director of the Office of Community Education Partnerships at Northwestern University; Erika C. Burt, director of professional and academic programs at Illinois Institute of Technology’s College of Computing; Kimberly D. Brown, senior program manager at Microsoft; April Welch, associate vice president for strategic initiatives and director of esports and the Digital Arts Center at Illinois Institute of Technology; and Armanda D. Killingham senior IT systems analyst at Exelon.
"What is Tech? The Impact of Tech on Careers, Connection, Consumership, and Creatorship in the Black Community," is a joint presentation with Illinois Tech's College of Computing and the DuSable Museum Black History and Education Center. This panel discussion features members of tech industry and education leaders of the Divine Nine historically Black Greek organizations for a discussion on the impact on careers, connection, consumership, and creatorship within the Black community.
James T. Bridges (Omega Psi Phi), an information technology management expert, moderates the panel discussion. Panelists include Blair Migonis (Alpha Kappa Alpha), a marketing services and brand and product strategy consultant; Mark Beamon (Alpha Phi Alpha), a senior system engineer for Dell Technologies; Mark Campbell (Omega Psi Phi), the senior director of information technology for the Chicago White Sox; Patty Winston-Johnson (Delta Sigma Theta), the director of academic writing and curricula at Illinois Tech; and Paul Stokes (Kappa Alpha Psi), a technical services manager for team logic IT. Erika C. Burt (Alpha Kappa Alpha), the director of professional and academic programs for the College of Computing, will provide a welcome and introduction of panelists. Closing remarks will be provided by Kim Dulaney, the vice president of education and programs for the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center.
Thy Nguyen, associate vice provost for student engagement and career services at Illinois Institute of Technology, moderates a panel of tech executives including Jonathan Mizel, senior manager at Intuit, Nikita Cheron-Mizel, communication strategist/program manager at Meta/Facebook, and Yessie Susanto, senior manager at Baxter International.
The panel discusses the following topics covering the tech job interview:
Women in Tech: Navigating Industry, Education, Identity in Tech Spaces featuring:
-Technology Project Manager, Feeding America
-TecHive Inc., NFP, Chair of the Board of Directors
- Illinois Institute of Technology -Information Technology & Management Student
focusing on Data Analytics
-Vice President of Information Technology & Management Organization (ITMO)
and student chapter advisor for Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS)
-Founder/CEO Papaya Tutor (Ed/Tech Start Up)
-Executive Advisor
