51��

Advisory Council

2020 - 2022

Phillip Nierodzik, Manager,
IBM Security (chair 2019-2022)

Gold Sponsors

Shannon Whiting*, SVP,
Business Information Security Manager,
Truist (formerly SunTrust)
Charlton Barker, Business Systems Manager,
Georgia Power

Government Seats

Ian Thomas, NSA-Georgia
[vacant] Project Manager GA Dept Economic Development

Non Sponsor Members

Flavio Villanustre, VP Technology & CISO,
LexisNexis Risk Solutions
Dale Jordan, Director of Cyber Security,
DataPath/MaxDefense
Jim Crupi*, Alumnus/Trustee
Shannon Vaughn*, Chief Innovation Officer,
Aveshka
Brian Murray*, Manager Cyber Security Audit,
Equifax
Kyle Johnson*, Information Systems Administrator,
Amicalola EMC
Steven Herring*,Senior Cybersecurity Analyst,
Dell SecureWorks
Cornel du Preez*, Principal Security Architect,
Honeywell
Shawn Brown, President and COO,
SnapTechIT
Doug Britton, CTO and Director,
RunSafe Security
Lydia du Preez*, Cyber Security Analyst III,
COUNTRY Financial
James Azar, CyberHub USA
Grady Johnson, DeepInstinct

* Alumni are indicated by an asterisk

Agenda

Time	Topic	Speaker
8:30 - 9:00 a.m.	Breakfast
9:00 - 9:10 a.m.	Welcome	Phillip Nierodzik, Sr. Manager, IBM Security & Chair, 51�� Cyber Advisory Board
9:10 - 9:15 a.m.	Update on the Mike Cottrell College of Business	Dr. Mary Gowan, Dean Mike Cottrell College of Business
9:15 - 9:45 a.m.	Student Programming & Competition News	Dr. Bryson Payne, Professor of Computer Science
9:45 - 10:00 a.m.	Continuation pf MCCB Update and Introduction of COL Chris Mitchiner (USA, Ret.), Executive Director of the Institute for Cyber Operations	Mary Gowan
10:00 - 10:45 a.m.	Overview of Institute for Cyber Operations Plans and Discussion	COL Chris Mitchiner (USA, Ret.)
10:45 - 11:00 a.m.	Wrap-Up	Chris Mitchiner & Phillip Nierodzik

Meeting Materials

Statement on concerns about textbook

Recently, questions have been raised about a passage in a course textbook. After fully reviewing the concern, we want to be clear: the reference in question was not describing Christians or Christianity. The passage refers to an extremist group that misuses Christian symbols to promote hate.

In today’s world, misunderstandings can travel quickly. But our foundation at the University of North Georgia remains steady. We respect people of all beliefs. We reject hate. And we are committed to preparing students to think critically, lead with integrity, and serve in communities across our state, nation, and world.

Education is not about avoiding difficult words or ideas — it is about teaching students to navigate them with context, discernment, and respect. The world is complex, and we are developing students to lead in both these times and what lies ahead. That is what this course, and this university, are about.

We also recognize that learning and scholarship sometimes touch on sensitive, complex, or controversial ideas. That is not a weakness of higher education — it is its strength. Our responsibility is to provide the context, freedom, and support that allow both students and faculty to engage with these ideas thoughtfully. Academic freedom allows us to remain true to our values: protecting freedoms, honoring all beliefs, rejecting hate in every form, and preparing leaders who can meet a complex world with courage and integrity.

While one line in a textbook can get lost in translation, our values have never wavered. For 152 years, the University of North Georgia remains committed to building leaders through debate, dialogue, and learning. That is who we are. And that is what we will continue to do.