Events
First Students Complete Unique Cybersecurity Bootcamp
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Anthony Lucas, head of Wake Tech's Cybersecurity program, speaks at a ceremony honoring the first cohort of students to complete the Sentinel Cybersecurity Bootcamp. -
Twelve students were in the first cohort to complete the Sentinel Cybersecurity Bootcamp at Wake Tech. -
Twelve students were in the first cohort to complete the Sentinel Cybersecurity Bootcamp at Wake Tech. -
Chaoying Chen in honored during a ceremony for the first cohort of students to complete the Sentinel Cybersecurity Bootcamp at Wake Tech. -
Remya Harikrishnan in honored during a ceremony for the first cohort of students to complete the Sentinel Cybersecurity Bootcamp at Wake Tech. -
A students is honored during a ceremony for the first cohort to complete the Sentinel Cybersecurity Bootcamp at Wake Tech. -
Chaoying Chen was among the first students to complete the Sentinel Cybersecurity Bootcamp at Wake Tech.
RALEIGH, N.C. (July 29, 2025) – The first 12 students in Wake Tech's unique Sentinel bootcamp are finished and are ready to pursue high-demand careers in cybersecurity and advanced networking. The college celebrated with a special ceremony at RTP Campus Tuesday.
Funded through a U.S. National Science Foundation grant, the inaugural bootcamp paid students $15 an hour over the past 33 weeks to take classes and learn from IT mentors at more than 20 industry partners. Halfway through the program, they transitioned from classroom instruction to on-the-job training as interns at one of several partner agencies and municipalities, Raleigh, Morrisville, Apex and the North Carolina Department of Public Safety.
Students earned five industry-recognized certifications during the program, including:
- CompTIA Security+
- Cisco Certified Service Technician
- Certified Wireless IoT (Internet of Things) Solutions Administrator
- IBM Explore Emerging Tech digital badge
- TracksCN, a digital badge covering robotics, automation and cybersecurity
The first students to finish the Sentinel bootcamp are:
- German Avila
- Chaoying Chen
- Remya Harikrishman
- Faisal Issah
- Mallory Jones
- Jaden Lassiter
- Jonathan Lohr
- Guiseppe Macon-Goudeau
- John Meadows
- Jennifer Medina
- Prasidy Ochi
- Devika Srinivasa
Lassiter said he hopes to take what's he learned to the next level and enter the health care technology field.
"This program changed my life, and I've grown so much," he said. "This program made me a provider and mature into a hard-working man. This program really showed me that cybersecurity professionals are really needed today and in the future."
Wake Tech will soon begin recruiting for the next cohort of students for the Sentinel bootcamp, which begins in November. Learn more and how to apply at sentinel.waketech.edu.
