Dedicated to advancing education in the field, the Bellevue University Center for Cybersecurity Education (CCE) offers a wide variety of interdisciplinary degrees, student resources, and community outreach events. The Center brings together the best cybersecurity education programs and facilities with highly qualified faculty who possess the kind of real world experience you expect at Bellevue University.
Director
Douglas Rausch, MS, CISSP
Douglas Rausch, MS, CISSP, is the Maenner Endowed Chair, Assistant Professor, and Program Director for the Cybersecurity Program at Bellevue University. Professor Rausch was recently named the AIM 2019 College Tech Educator of the Year and has over 30 years of experience providing communications systems and cybersecurity expertise in both the defense and commercial sectors.
In addition to his teaching and academic leadership pursuits, Rausch is a sought after consultant on many cybersecurity efforts, Some of his recent projects include developing a security architecture and leading security accreditation efforts for the Air Force Research Laboratory allowing the use of commercial ground stations for United States Air Force satellite control; providing security assessment and authorization strategies for companies developing logistical control and civil defense information systems for DoD use; and advising the National Broadband Network of Australia on cybersecurity capabilities for a new ground control network supporting two new broadband satellites.
Rausch retired in 2013 as a Colonel in the United States Air Force after spending more than 25 years as a cyber operations officer leading risk management activities, assessing cybersecurity, and recommending cybersecurity policy and technologies for Department of Defense and Air Force terrestrial and space systems. He joined the Bellevue University faculty in 2014.
In the Air Force, he held key leadership positions with Air Force Space Command and U.S. Strategic Command, where he led cyberspace operations, cryptographic, and information assurance professionals in their efforts to assess and exercise cybersecurity capabilities, certify and accredit Air Force networks, and recommend cybersecurity technologies for Department of Defense and Air Force terrestrial and space systems.
A leader in advancing the implementation of cybersecurity and risk management principles, Rausch was selected to chair the Committee on National Security Systems Space Policy Working Group, which updated the national information assurance guidance for space systems supporting national security missions. Additionally, he led the development of policy and procedures to guide the transition of the Air Force certification and accreditation program from the Defense Information Assurance and Certification Process (DIACAP) to the NIST Risk Management Framework (RMF).
Cyber Faculty
Karla Carter
Associate Professor Karla Carter is interested in how information technology intersects with human relationships (especially social media), and also the legal and political developments that affect information technology.
Carter teaches Information Technology Ethics, Cybersecurity Social Engineering, Emerging Technologies and other courses for Bellevue University, and specializes in IT Ethics, E-Commerce, Web Development, and Microsoft.NET. She was honored with the Excellence in Online Teaching Award from Bellevue University in 2009.
Carter holds a Master of Arts and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, as well as certifications in Security+, MCSD.NET, MCSD, MCAD, MCP, and MCT.
Dr. Jason Ferguson
Dr. Jason Ferguson, Associate Professor and Program Director, has more than 15 years of combined experience as faculty and as an IT manager and consultant. Dr. Ferguson teaches Enterprise Database Management Systems, Human Computer Interaction, Programming; Systems Analysis and Design, Network/Information Security, Network Infrastructure, and Business Intelligence, among other courses. His research interests include IT curriculum, Human Computer Interaction, and Virtual Private Networks.
Dr. Ferguson received a Ph.D. in Information Systems as well as a Master of Science in Management Information Systems and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems (CIS). He is a Microsoft Certified Professional, Citrix Certified Administrator, and a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).
Zach Lawrence
Associate Professor M. Zach Lawrence is starting at Bellevue University in the Fall 2022. Professor Lawrence has over 10 years full time teaching experience in the following areas: Cybersecurity, Computer Networking, Cloud Computing and Operating Systems (Windows, MacOS and Linux.) He also has 13 years’ experience as an Adjunct Instructor in Industry Certifications Prep course. He also has two years teaching experience in EFL (English as a Foreign Language) in Yamaguchi, Japan for the JET Program.
In addition to teaching experience, Professor Lawrence has significant industry experience including Helpdesk, Desktop and Server Support, Patch Management, Radius Support, Technical Training (Public and Private,) Technical writing and Consulting. He has worked in the following industries: Financial Markets, Telecom, Higher Ed., Local Government and the Defense Industry.
Professor Lawrence holds the following credentials: BA in Economics from the University of Kansas and MS in Cyber and Information Security from Capitol Technology University. In addition, he holds numerous industry certification including: CompTIA A+CE, Network+CE, Security+CE, Cloud+CE, Linux+CE, CySA+CE, ITF+, Cloud Essentials+. Cisco CCNA and CyberOps. ISC2 SSCP. EC-Council CEH. Microsoft MCP and MTA
Professor Lawrence’s professional interests include the following:
-Rapid Skills Development in the IT and Cyber domains
-Cybersecurity competitions
-Industry Certification Exam Prep
-Gamification of Learning Objectives
His research interests include:
-OSINT
-Managed Attribution
-Gang Stalking
-Models for Flipped Classroom (Student focused learning)
John McGaha
As a full-time Assistant Professor, John McGaha has been teaching CIS, MIS, and cybersecurity courses for nearly 20 years, both at Bellevue University and as an adjunct professor with Liberty University. McGaha also has taught computer programming and technology courses at the community college and university level. Prior to starting a career in academia, he spent 22 years in the U.S. Navy. He worked as a Naval Intelligence Officer monitoring nuclear sites for NORAD and the U.S. Space Command. McGaha holds DACUM and SCID certifications.
McGaha earned his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Old Dominion University and a Master of Science in IT Management from the Naval Postgraduate School. He has finished doctoral coursework and comprehensive exams and is currently working on a dissertation to complete his Ph.D. in Information Security.
Advisory Board
Bruce Miller
Us Navy, Naval Surface Warfare Center
Manny Quevedo
OpsCompass
Terry Reinert
Redberry Innovations
Courtney Reinert
Redberry Innovations
Bryan Van Deun
Retired Law Enforcement
Jeff Weeks
First National of Nebraska