College of Computing Speaker Series

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The online panel discussion “Cybersecurity Awareness: Trends of AI, Blockchain, and Cybersecurity” as we discuss the following topics: 

• The Future of AI and Cybersecurity 
• Ethical considerations of using AI in cybersecurity 
• Combining blockchain and AI to enhance cybersecurity 
• The role of AI in modern malware detection 
• Safeguarding AI systems against adversarial attacks 

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

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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:

• The Future of AI
• Potential AI Harms and Biases
• ChatGPT and Real-World Decision Making
• Enhancing Human Trust on AI Models
• The Challenges of Using AI as an Educational Tool

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.

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Women in Tech: Thriving in Tech Careers, Advocating for Advancement, and Navigating Non-Tech Roles in Tech Spaces covers the following topics:

• Thriving as a woman in tech 
• Leveraging personal power  
• Non-traditional tech and non-tech leadership roles 
• Insight for pursuing careers in tech
• Imposter syndrome
• Career advancement and self-advocacy

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.

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"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.

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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 discuss the following topics covering the tech job interview:

• Tips and advice on preparing for the interview
• What companies look for in a candidate
• The most important qualities interviewers seek
• How to get your first job when you lack experience
• Advice for interviewing via Zoom
• Tips to enhance your résumé and cover letter 
• Questions to ask the interviewer
• Researching the company and the interviewer

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Women in Tech: Navigating Industry, Education, Identity in Tech Spaces featuring:

• Moderator Kimberly (Weisenee) Brown, senior marketing director of W.S. Darley & Co. and founder/CEO of TecHive Inc., NFP
• Angela Reed

-Technology Project Manager, Feeding America 

-TecHive Inc., NFP, Chair of the Board of Directors

• Fizza Arif

- 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) 

• Sandra LaPlante

-Founder/CEO Papaya Tutor (Ed/Tech Start Up) 

• Bich-Thuy Le

-Executive Advisor