In Episode S7E23 of the Brilliance Security Magazine Podcast, host Steven Bowcut sits down with Linda Calvin, the new Dean of the School of Technology at Western Governors University (WGU). Since stepping into the role in September, Linda has brought her deep experience in technology education, workforce development, and community impact to one of the nation’s largest and most innovative online technology programs. Their conversation explores how cybersecurity education must evolve to meet the needs of a rapidly shifting digital landscape—and how WGU is preparing thousands of learners for meaningful, in-demand careers.
Summary
Linda Calvin shares insights drawn from more than two decades working at the intersection of education, industry, and technology. Growing up professionally in IT and later leading major initiatives focused on digital literacy and upskilling underrepresented communities, Linda brings a uniquely human-centered approach to her leadership at WGU.
A major theme of the discussion is competency-based education (CBE)—WGU’s signature model that measures mastery rather than time spent in the classroom. Linda explains how CBE allows students to leverage the skills they already possess, whether from prior tech roles, customer service, caregiving, or management, and transform them into meaningful academic and career pathways. This approach, she emphasizes, helps unlock both confidence and capability.
The conversation also explores:
- How cybersecurity curriculum must continually evolve—and why WGU relies on industry advisory boards, NIST/NICE collaboration, and real-time employer feedback to stay ahead of threats and technological shifts.
- The growing influence of AI in cyber defense and cyber offense, and how WGU is integrating generative AI, prompt engineering, and offensive/defensive AI concepts across its cybersecurity programs.
- Hands-on learning in an online environment, including virtual internships, embedded labs, Capture-the-Flag competitions, hackathons, and a 9,000-member cyber club that routinely places in the top 10% nationwide.
- Why industry-recognized certifications remain essential for getting “in the door”—and how WGU embeds these certifications directly into coursework, covering exam vouchers for students.
- The importance of diversity and inclusion in technology, and why representation, mentorship, and community partnerships are critical to bringing more women and people of color into cybersecurity and sustaining their long-term success.
- The strong post-graduation outcomes for WGU students include high employer satisfaction and significant salary boosts for graduates entering or advancing in cyber roles.
Throughout the conversation, Linda balances practical insights with compelling personal anecdotes—highlighting how education not only changes careers, but changes people.
About our Guest
Linda Calvin is the Dean of the School of Technology at Western Governors University, where she leads one of the nation’s most scalable, competency-based technology programs serving tens of thousands of learners pursuing careers in cybersecurity, cloud computing, software development, IT, and emerging technologies.
Before joining WGU, Linda spent more than 20 years in technology leadership roles, including positions focused on bridging the gap between education and industry, expanding digital literacy, and supporting underrepresented communities in tech. Her experience includes serving as Vice President of the School of IT at Ivy Tech Community College and as Chief Impact Officer at Reboot Representation, a nonprofit dedicated to increasing the number of Black, Latina, and Native American women earning computing degrees.
Linda is widely recognized for her expertise in workforce development, her advocacy for diversity and inclusion in technology, and her commitment to building accessible pathways into high-growth tech careers.
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Additional Resource
Video Overview
Steven Bowcut is an award-winning journalist covering cyber and physical security. He is an editor and writer for Brilliance Security Magazine as well as other security and non-security online publications. Follow and connect with Steve on LinkedIn.
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