MEET OUR INSTRUCTORS
Expertise spans the team. See individual biographies for each person’s background; course assignments are listed on the academy pages.
Chief Operating Officer
Cybersecurity leadership · CMMC · Workforce development · Cloud security
Dr. Jackie Jakes is a cybersecurity executive, educator, workforce development leader, and retired U.S. Navy Cyber Warrant Officer with 26 years of military service and extensive experience across cybersecurity, risk management, governance, compliance, cloud security, and technical education.
Read professional biography ↗Senior Cybersecurity Leader & Educator
Cybersecurity governance · Risk management · Federal security
Carmeshia Miller is a senior cybersecurity leader, educator, and former United States Army Warrant Officer with more than 20 years of experience spanning cybersecurity, risk management, governance, compliance, federal security, program management, and cybersecurity education. She specializes in Risk Management Framework (RMF), Assessment and Authorization (A&A), cybersecurity governance, cloud and federal security, vulnerability management, and enterprise risk management.
Read professional biography ↗Senior Cybersecurity & Cloud Instructor
Cloud architecture · AI/ML · DevSecOps · Network security
Dr. Kusay Rukieh is an accomplished cybersecurity and technology professional with more than 25 years of experience spanning security architecture, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, network engineering, regulatory compliance, and enterprise technology. His career includes senior technical and architecture roles supporting government, commercial, financial, and research environments, with significant experience involving FAA systems, AWS cloud environments, SOC operations, NIST security standards, and FedRAMP.
Read professional biography ↗AI Engineer · AI Architect · GRC Auditor
AI governance · Security architecture · Regulatory compliance
Dr. Christopher Davis has experience as an AI Engineer and AI Architect GRC Auditor with more than eight years of leadership in designing, coordinating, and delivering complex, multiworkstream initiatives.
Read professional biography ↗Cybersecurity Educator & Security+ Facilitator
Security+ · Information warfare · Cyber threat intelligence
Jeremiah D. Johnson is a cybersecurity leader, educator, and Security+ facilitator with more than 30 years of U.S. Navy service and extensive experience translating complex cybersecurity concepts into clear, practical instruction. As a Course Instructor at Western Governors University, he supports 300 to 350 learners pursuing CompTIA Security+ and ISC2 SSCP certification, guiding them through risk management, security architecture, identity and access management, cryptography, network defense, incident response, and governance.
Read professional biography ↗Data Center & Technology Instructor
Data Center Fundamentals · Advanced data center · Linux · Cloud
Dr. Jorge Vega is an experienced technology leader, educator, and IT professional with extensive experience in Linux systems administration, cloud computing, cybersecurity, data center operations, and enterprise infrastructure. He brings real-world technical and leadership experience into the classroom, helping students connect foundational concepts with the challenges they will encounter in modern IT environments.
Read professional biography ↗Senior Cybersecurity Instructor
Cyber operations · Threat intelligence · Incident response
Shawn L. Dill is an accomplished cybersecurity professional and educator with more than 20 years of experience in cybersecurity operations, cyber threat intelligence, incident response, network defense, and information security. His career includes supporting mission-critical cybersecurity operations for organizations including U.S. Cyber Command, the Cyber National Mission Force, Navy Cyber Defense Operations Command, JFHQ-DODIN, and the U.S. Department of State.
Read professional biography ↗Senior Cybersecurity & CMMC Instructor
CMMC · NIST RMF · Enterprise security · Workforce development
Tyree Jackson is a seasoned cybersecurity and IT leader with 26 years of experience supporting enterprise technology, cybersecurity, information assurance, and communications across complex Department of Defense environments. His expertise includes CMMC, NIST, RMF, FISMA, cybersecurity risk management, enterprise security, and workforce development.
Read professional biography ↗Cybersecurity Leadership & CMMC Instructor
CMMC · GRC · Cybersecurity leadership · Curriculum development
Dr. Dwayne Hodges is a distinguished academic, industry leader, and entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in higher education, consulting, and curriculum development. He currently serves in a dual capacity at Wake Forest University School of Professional Studies as the Inaugural Academic Director for the Information Technology Leadership graduate program and a Professor of the Practice in Cybersecurity Leadership, and also serves as a Professor for the University of Maryland Global Campus.
Read professional biography ↗PROGRAM & CURRICULUM SUPPORT
Program management and curriculum development
support the JTS learning model.
Program Manager & Curriculum Developer
Curriculum development · Program management · Cybersecurity · Workforce development
Melissa Frank, PMP, is a program management, cybersecurity, and curriculum-development professional whose background includes nearly 23 years of active U.S. Navy service. She brings experience leading technical teams, coordinating complex programs, developing policy, and translating operational requirements into clear training and professional-development resources.
Read professional biography ↗Melissa Frank’s approved portrait and résumé-based biography are included. Her profile highlights PMP certification, program management, curriculum development, and cybersecurity experience. She is listed here for program and curriculum support — not as a teaching assignment.
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