TU Cyber Fellows

11/28/2023

Cyber Fellows is hosting an event for students interested in learning about the initiative. We will discuss Tulsa's excellent academic and entrepreneurial opportunities. The information session is Thursday, Dec 7 at 4:00 PM Central Time. Register Today!

TU has a long history of academic excellence in Cyber. Some highlights include:
- The National Security Agency included TU and 13 other universities in creating the Center for Academic Excellence (CAE) program in 1999.
- TU has consistently ranked as one of the top cyber programs in the US, currently ranked #23 by US News and World Report.
- TU has graduated more students in the Cyber Corps program that any other university.
- TU has launched the Oklahoma Cyber Innovation Institute with a projected $75M investment.

The Cyber Fellows initiative is one of the ways we continue to grow the impact of our expertise in cyber. Ph.D. students chosen to join Cyber Fellows enjoy the following benefits:
- Full tuition remission
- Competitive living stipend
- Opportunities for summer internships
- Experience working with TU faculty on transformative cyber projects

The information session is Thursday, Dec 7 at 4:00 PM Central Time. Speakers include:
Bob Blakley, Ph.D., Operating Partner, Team8
Abisoye Ajayi-Akinfolarin, Cyber & Analytics Manager, Tulsa Innovation Labs
Randall S Roberts, Cyber Innovation Strategy Manager, The University of Tulsa

Register today at

This is an information session to discuss the TU Cyber Fellows initiative.

11/03/2023

Cyber Fellows is hosting an event for HBCU students interested in learning about the initiative. We will discuss Tulsa's excellent academic and entrepreneurial opportunities.

Why Tulsa?

There is a Black Renaissance that harkens back to the rich history of the booming Greenwood district known as Black Wall Street. It is an exciting time to be in Tulsa, and a great time to build a business in cyber. Below are links to articles that provide details.

HP posted an article, "How a new Black-owned tech ecosystem is taking shape in Tulsa" https://garage.hp.com/us/en/impact/tulsa-black-owned-tech-ecosystem.html. The article describes the work of Tyrance Billingsley II, https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyrance-billingsley-ii-ab0683123/, Founder and Executive Director of Black Tech Street, https://www.blacktechstreet.com/. Tyrance and his team are facilitating investment in Black-owned startups, encouraging large tech companies to open local hubs and recruit remote employees in Tulsa, and connecting Black entrepreneurs with resources to build their businesses, emphasizing technology and long-term wealth creation. The article highlights the excellent work to create the business community needed for black-owned business success. The article also quotes Arthur Jackson, https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-jackson-mba-aa855275/, Senior Vice President of economic development at the Tulsa Regional Chamber of Commerce, who notes, "I've never seen this kind of intentionality around not only developing Black-owned businesses, but also Black tech talent."

Essence Magazine published an article titled "Microsoft Is Investing In The Historic Greenwood Neighborhood, Otherwise Known As Black Wall Street" https://www.essence.com/news/money-career/black-wall-street-tulsa-microsoft/. The article details the work of Tyrance Billingsley II and Black Tech Street to partner with Microsoft with the goal "hiring of at least 1000 Black Tulsans in cyber and adjacent fields by 2030."

Why TU?

An article about the 2022 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award https://utulsa.edu/tu-receives-2022-heed-award/ from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education. TU is honored to be recognized with the HEED Award, which recognizes U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. TU will be featured, along with other recipients, in the November 2022 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine.

TU has a long history of academic excellence in Cyber. Some highlights include:

- The National Security Agency included TU and 13 other universities in creating the Center for Academic Excellence (CAE) program in 1999.

- TU has consistently ranked as one of the top cyber programs in the US, currently ranked #23 by US News and World Report. https://utulsa.edu/the-university-of-tulsa-ranks-23-nationally-for-cyber-security-academics/

- TU has graduated more students in the Cyber Corps program than any other university.

- TU has launched the Oklahoma Cyber Innovation Institute with a projected $75M investment. https://utulsa.edu/tu-launches-cyber-research-commercialization-institute/

The Cyber Fellows initiative is one of the ways we continue to grow the impact of our expertise in cyber. Ph.D. students chosen to join Cyber Fellows enjoy the following benefits:

- Full tuition remission
- Competitive living stipend
- Opportunities for summer internships
- Experience working with TU faculty on transformative cyber projects

The information session is Wednesday, Nov 15 at 4:00 PM Central Time to discuss the Cyber Fellows initiative. Speakers include:

- Kelli McLoud-Schingen, Vice President for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at The University of Tulsa https://utulsa.edu/diversity-equity-inclusion-mcloud-schingen/

- Tyrance Billingsley II, Founder and Executive Director of Black Tech Street https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyrance-billingsley-ii-ab0683123/

- Abisoye Ajayi, Cyber & Analytics Manager, Tulsa Innovation Labs https://www.linkedin.com/in/abisoyeajayiakinfolarin/

Register today at https://utulsa.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAodOyprj4oEtPdSpOR_qN46YYxNYv-iJVv

This is an information session to discuss the TU-Team8 Cyber Fellows initiative. Kelli McLoud-Schingen, Vice President for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at TU, Tyrance Billingsley II, Founder and Executive Director of Black Tech Street, and Cyber Fellows leadership team members will join the discuss...

10/10/2023

Crystal Lister, Program Manager, Google Cloud Threat and Adversary Operations, is an expert on the intersection of human and cybersecurity risk management in the private and public sectors. She leverages her background in advanced cyber adversaries and insider risk to help protect intellectual property, data, and other critical assets from theft, industrial espionage, and information technology sabotage. Ms. Lister is a Program Manager in the Google Cloud Threat and Adversary Operations, helping secure technology for the world.

Ms. Lister talked with the Cyber Fellows about her career spanning government, small business, and large multi-national businesses. In each arena, she reiterated that cyber security requires a team mindset, is intellectually challenging, and provides a lifetime development journey.

The Cyber Fellows thank Ms. Lister for taking time for an engaging conversation!

09/21/2023

Reuben Kabantiyok is a Cyber Fellow and a Ph.D. student in Mechanical Engineering at The University of Tulsa. He has been elected as a Senator representing the Mechanical Engineering discipline in the Graduate Student Association for the 2023-2024 academic year. This election underscores Reuben's commitment to representing and furthering the interests of his peers in the Mechanical Engineering field.

Join us in congratulating Mr. Kabantiyok on this achievement and wishing him success in representing the Mechanical Engineering community with dedication and passion.

09/21/2023

Rosa Hathaway, Principal with Atento Capital, joined the Cyber Fellows to discuss how venture capital works.

Rosa reviewed her journey from aerospace engineer to venture capital investor. Rosa's talk excited the Cyber Fellows as she provided a clear pathway for entrepreneurs to grow their ideas into thriving businesses.

The Cyber Fellows engaged in a lengthy Q&A session with Rosa, indicative of the talk's quality and the Cyber Fellows' interest in building profitable businesses in Tulsa.

The Cyber Fellows thank Rosa for taking time to speak with them!

09/14/2023

Cyber Fellows are advancing towards their Ph.D. degrees and sharpening their entrepreneurial talents. We were privileged to host two intellectual property experts who deepened their insights and elevated their entrepreneurial aspirations.

Bill Lawson, Ph.D., is the Director of Technology Commercialization in the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs at The University of Tulsa. Dr. Lawson has an extensive background in patent management for the university. Dr. Lawson helped the students understand the processes for moving from a novel idea to a patent and the resources the university provides to support that activity.

Bob Blakley, Ph.D., is an Operating Partner at Team8. Dr. Blakley has extensive experience with cyber security and holds numerous patents. Bob provided a review of different types of IP, IP protection, and why it is vital to use the IP systems available to our students.

Cyber Fellows appreciate the support and guidance Dr. Lawson and Dr. Blakley provide to the initiative!