UA Little Rock first graduates of cybersecurity program
June 23-29, 2025
By Angelita Faller
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock marked a major milestone this spring as it celebrated the graduation of its first cohort of students to earn a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity.
The inaugural class of nine graduates includes Kenneth Barnett, Bryce Ebsen, Isaac Gonzalez, Courtney Ingram, Cameron Jackson, Cameron Johnson, David Leitnaker, Emily McClenahan, and Brandon Orender.
These students represent a diverse range of backgrounds, including traditional students, military veterans, working professionals, and student-athletes, who are all united in their mission to enter a high-demand profession and protect critical systems from cyber threats.
“Watching our first class of cybersecurity graduates walk across that stage is beyond exciting—it’s deeply rewarding,” said Rebecca Passmore, an assistant professor of cybersecurity. “They came in as students full of curiosity and potential and are leaving as confident professionals ready to make a difference.”
UA Little Rock launched its bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity in 2021 in response to growing national and statewide demand for skilled professionals. Since then, the program has rapidly expanded in scope, student enrollment, and national recognition, recently being named to national lists for both Top Cybersecurity Programs and Most Affordable Bachelor’s Degrees.
“It’s incredibly rewarding—like reaching the summit after a long climb,” said Dr. Philip Huff, associate professor of cybersecurity and director of cybersecurity research. “We laid the groundwork for this program about six years ago, and to now see our students stepping into meaningful careers is a moment of real joy and pride.”
The program now includes a growing number of certifications and specialized tracks in areas like digital forensics, software security, and cybersecurity operations. With new graduate programs in artificial intelligence security and cybersecurity operations on the horizon, UA Little Rock is solidifying its role as a statewide leader in cybersecurity education.
“It’s a profession for every organization,” Huff said. “We’ve barely begun to supply the cybersecurity workforce needed in Arkansas. There are thousands of job openings right now, and we’re committed to preparing students to fill them.”
The success stories among the first graduates reflect the program’s accessibility and flexibility. Courtney Ingram, a North Little Rock native, began college in 2004 but paused her education to focus on work and raising a family. After discovering the new degree program through a 2021 newspaper article, she enrolled and completed her degree while working full time.
“I never thought I would be in the category of being one of the first to do what I’m doing,” Ingram said. “The journey that I took to get here is something I’ll never take for granted. I put myself in a very uncomfortable position for four years, but I made it. This program sharpened me. It made me more organized and gave me something to strive for. I’ve changed since I started. I’ve become more confident, and it’s helped my mental health. If I can do this, I’m ready for what’s next.”
Ingram recently began a new role as an information security analyst associate at Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield. She was also the winner of the university’s Spring 2025 Grad Cap Contest. A picture of her grad cap earned more than 1,900 likes on Facebook.
Cameron Jackson, a student-athlete from Kilgore, Texas, balanced his passion for track and field with rigorous cybersecurity coursework.
“As I learned more about cybersecurity and how important it is in today’s world, I knew it was the field I wanted to pursue,” Jackson said. “UA Little Rock offered a strong program and the chance to grow in both athletics and academics, so it was the right fit for me. It’s been a great experience. The program is hands-on and constantly evolving, and I’ve had the chance to work on real world projects that have challenged me and helped me grow.”
He now plans to pursue a master’s degree in information science while working in cybersecurity as well as training as a professional athlete.
“It’s exciting and humbling to be part of the first graduating class,” Jackson said. “We’re setting the tone for future students and helping build the reputation of the program. It feels like I’m part of something bigger than just my own education. Long term, I’m interested in combining my cybersecurity knowledge with legal studies to help organizations stay secure and compliant. I’m excited for what comes next and to represent UA Little Rock wherever I go.”
Emily McClenahan, a former chef and sales professional from Malvern, saw cybersecurity as a chance to pursue a more intellectually challenging career.
“I’ve always been curious about how things work—especially in tech—and after a decade in the culinary and sales industries, I was ready for a career that would challenge me intellectually and keep me learning,” she said. “Cybersecurity checked all the boxes, and the program at UA Little Rock felt like the perfect fit.”
McClenahan returned to school after reading about the new program in an article and graduated this spring with honors.
“My experience was challenging, rewarding, and hands-on,” she said. “I’ve learned so much and gained confidence in areas like digital forensics, incident response, and compliance. The faculty support has been outstanding, and I’m proud to be graduating with honors.
“It’s incredibly emotional and rewarding,” said Dr. Sandra Leiterman, cybersecurity education research professor. “We launched this program during the uncertainty of COVID, when we had just a handful of students. These graduates took a chance on a new program. They believed in us, and we believed in them.”
Graduates are stepping into roles such as security operations center analysts, threat hunters, and incident response specialists across government, healthcare, and private sectors.
“The stakes are high when it comes to cybersecurity,” Passmore said. “From safeguarding patient records to protecting infrastructure, these students are entering careers that truly matter.”
As cyber threats grow in complexity and frequency, the demand for trained professionals continues to climb.
“The market is robust and expanding,” Passmore said. “We need more students to step into this field prepared to protect what matters most.”
Photo Caption:
UA Little Rock cybersecurity students celebrate their graduation on May 17 at the Jack Stephens Center. Pictured from left to right are Cameron Jackson, Isaac Gonzalez, Kenneth Barnett, Emily McClenahan, Courtney Ingram, and Cameron Johnson.
Photo Credit:
Photo by Rebecca Passmore.