Western Governors University’s graduate program in Information Security and Assurance has been certified by the NSA’s Information Assurance Courseware Evaluation (IACE) Program. The certification verifies that WGU’s courseware meets the requirements established by the Committee on National Security Systems National Training Standards No. 4011 (Information Systems Security Professionals) and 4012 (Senior Systems Managers).

WGU’s Information Technology degree programs are online and competency-based, allowing students to meet their work and family obligations while they complete their studies. In addition to being fully accredited, WGU’s IT programs include a number of industry-recognized certifications such as CIW, CCNA, MCITP, OCA, CEH, CHFI, GIAC 7799, CCNA – Security and CompTIA. WGU, www.wgu.edu, is also a member of the Microsoft IT Academy, and all Information Technology bachelor’s degree programs include at least one Microsoft certification. The cost of these certification exams is included in WGU tuition.

WGU is continuing our free Information Security and Assurance bloginar series in April! Careers involving Cybersecurity and Information Assurance is slated for April 16. If you're interested in a career that involves Information Assurance, you should be there!

Visit http://www.wgu.edu/securityblogs to access transcripts from previous events and get the details for April 16th.

Keep a lookout for more events and free interactive opportunities from WGU faculty, alumni and high-level industry professionals.

Where are you from? I am originally from Florida, though I was a military dependent and moved quite a bit.

When did you start at WGU? I started my current WGU program (BS IT) in March 2010. I originally began at WGU in March 2008. I completed a BS in Business Management in August 2009, and immediately began MBA coursework in September 2009. I completed my MBA in February 2010.

Your program of study: My current program of study is Information Technology.

Your favorite aspect of being a WGU student: Learning!!! A close second is the flexibility to complete coursework on a schedule of my choosing.

What are your plans after you finish your degree? My current duties and responsibilities include managing a number of projects. My intent is to gain the skills, competencies, and certifications to advance my career as a Program Manager.

Outside of work and WGU, what do you like to do? I enjoy spending time with my wife, daughter, and granddaughter and when time permits I golf, fish, and exercise.

More on John: I spent 30 years in aviation maintenance in the U.S. Air Force (USAF) before retiring 3 ½ years ago. During my time in the military, I had the opportunity to manage large organizations and lead groups of people ranging in size from a handful to thousands. I served in many foreign countries during times of peace and conflict. My foreign service exposed me to many diverse cultures and broadened my perspective of life. Throughout my military service, I was blessed to have a wife that willingly sacrificed much so that I could serve my country. Words alone cannot convey the importance and value of her support. Immediately upon retirement from the USAF, I began my civilian career in business. For nearly the past 3 years, I have been a site director and business development manager for a small aerospace engineering services firm. I am geographically separated from the main hub of the company and am the company’s sole representative in Utah. Because of the latter, I have been entrusted with a great deal of responsibility and authority for carrying out my duties. I enjoy what I do, and my wife and I are at a point in our lives where we feel we are reaping the rewards for a lifetime of sacrifice...and it’s a very good feeling!

Where are you from? I have a military background and am from all over the world - Finland, Germany, Saudi Arabia, but I now call Saint George, Utah, my home. My family goes back five generations in the Northern Utah area of Ogden.

When did you join WGU? Five years ago, March 2005. I was the fifth full-time mentor hired in the IT program. We had less than 200 students then.

What do you enjoy about WGU? Talking with students and helping them succeed. I have assisted nearly 75 students graduate over the past five years. Seeing them complete the program is such a rush! It has literally changed lives. I am grateful to be a part of that journey.

What are your leisure activities?
Hiking, camping, scuba diving and most of all going to out-of-the-way places looking for evidence of the past (amateur archaeology). I explored northwest Saudi Arabia for nearly two years. I am considered the co-discoverer of several places specific to the Mormon church and the Book of Mormon. I am also one of only a few non-Saudis who have visited the ancient ruins considered by many to be the actual site of Mount Sinai. This was a number of years ago. I recently found evidence and artifacts in an area west of Kamas, Utah with relics from ancient Spanish mines. I love to just be out where few others have traveled.

Favorite vacation spot: Outside US – New Zealand and Finland. I particularly like the south island of New Zealand. If you don’t like the weather on the east coast, just travel for a few hours to the west coast! In Finland, the country with thousands of islands, I enjoy staying with friends and visiting the sauna with them, sharing the saunamakkara (sausage) with hot mustard!

Inside the US – Southern Utah. There is so much ground  yet to be explored.

Here is my symbol – Part of my name Thor – sted – Thors Hammer in Southern Utah's Bryce Canyon.

Click here to read an article about Craig and life of a DBA in Certification Magazine, Dec 2009.