ITI Faculty and Advising

MS, software engineering, University of St. Thomas; BS, electronics engineering, University of Nebraska

Mr. Axberg has worked in many roles in telecommunications and information technology, from architecture to system administration. He has experience with virtualization and cloud services including VMware, Amazon Web Services, and Azure. He is a cloud architect at Optum Technology, leading a team of developers transitioning virtual desktop services to a hybrid cloud solution. Prior to that, he worked at CenturyLink in telecommunications engineering and operations deploying voice and data services, where he managed the transition of a national 8XX call routing platform from Sybase to MySQL. Mr. Axberg is currently pursuing a BA in English at St. Catherine University.

• INET 4031 – Introduction to Systems
• INET 4041 - Networking II: Emerging Technologies

MBA with emphasis in technology delivery and marketing, Arizona State University W.P. Carey School of Business; BS, management information systems, University of Wisconsin

Ben is a management consultant with extensive experience in project management in the construction, technology, government, and health care industries. Ben's goal in teaching is to give back to a profession he loves by sharing his experience and helping to develop our next generation of leaders.

• INET 2001 – Fundamentals of IT
• INET 3102 – Web Infrastructure
• INET 4082W − IT Infrastructure Projects and Processes
• INET 4083W – Systems II: Analysis and Design

MBA, Cybersecurity Management, Saint Leo University; BAS, Cybersecurity and BS, Computer Science, Pasco-Hernando State College

Khari Clark has over seven years of experience in cybersecurity, specializing in vulnerability management, risk assessment, and enhancing security postures in enterprise environments. She has held roles ranging from analyst to cybersecurity program lead, successfully developing strategies to streamline processes and mitigate risks effectively. Khari holds industry-recognized certifications, including Network+, Security+, CySA+, GSEC, and Certified Scrum Master, and she has completed several advanced trainings with SANS Institute. With a passion for blending technical expertise with practical application, Khari is dedicated to educating and empowering the next generation of IT professionals.

• INET 4165 – Security I: Cybersecurity Essentials

MBA with emphasis in operations management and finance, University of Pittsburgh, Katz Graduate School of Business; BS, physics, University of Pittsburgh

Eric DeClouet is a seasoned IT professional with a diverse background and over two decades of experience leading IT initiatives across many sectors (retail, financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, and consulting) and leadership roles at companies like Medtronic, 3M, BestBuy, Ameriprise, Allianz, Inovalon, and UnitedHealth. With broad technical expertise (portfolio management, enterprise architecture, data management, integration, virtualiztion) and business acumen (finance, manufacturing, logistics, healthcare). Eric is adept at "teaching through analogy," i.e., tackling the challenge of embracing the new by using analogies to what's familiar in the learner's background.

• INET 4062 – Data Science II: Advanced Analytics and AI

MS, information security, Western Michigan University; BA, visual communications, Loyola University Chicago

Emily Deja is an ISC2 Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), and Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP). She has experience with Amazon Web Services (AWS), conducting vulnerability assessments, information systems security assessments, and managing teams. Previous experience also includes satellite communications and data transmission from time served in the Army National Guard. Emily is a motivated, optimistic, creative problem solver whose goal is to leverage technical capabilities to communicate effectively.

• INET 4007 – Security II: Cloud Security and Strategy

BS, computer science, Mankato State University

Carl Follstad began his IT career writing device drivers for VMS systems, moving to large systems management. In 2001, as senior systems engineer for EMC Corporation, he focused on the storage industry, advising on strategy in enterprise business continuity, data protection, classification of data, and resilient storage subsystem design. Beginning in 2004, he managed the University of Minnesota Data Management Services group, which is responsible for architecture of the centralized system backup and SAN storage. In 2007, he returned to EMC as a pre-sales technical consultant. He now works for Dell Technologies, post EMC acquisition, as an advisory storage architect.

• INET 2001 – Fundamentals of IT
• INET 4001 – Foundations of Operating Systems
• INET 4032 – Systems I: Storage
• INET 4033 – Cloud Essentials

BASc, Information Technology Infrastructure, University of Minnesota

Ian-Mathew's work focuses on the development of resilient big data infrastructure, large-scale data engineering, and its application in data science. His expertise includes infrastructure, software engineering, and risk management in the finance and retail sectors. He has also served as an enterprise technical manager of open-source software and platforms used for data science and analysis. Ian-Mathew values building effective engineering cultures in teams and foregrounding ethical considerations in the development and deployment of technology. He also has more than a decade of small-team leadership experience as a veteran of the US Army and is an active contributor to initiatives to make tech more inclusive and accessible for all.

• INET 2001 – Fundamentals of IT
• INET 4061 – Data Science I: Machine Learning Essentials
• INET 4062 – Data Science II: Advanced Analytics and AI

Executive Education Certification: Product Strategy, Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management; MS, security technologies, University of Minnesota; BA, international relations, University of Wisconsin; AA, liberal arts, Milwaukee Area Technical College

Mamady Konneh is a cybersecurity thought leader specializing in identity and access management (IAM), with over a decade of experience across industries such as software as a service (SaaS), healthcare, finance, and retail. He has led identity management programs in various organizations, including Okta, a global leader in IAM solutions. During his master’s degree program in security technologies, he authored a research paper on securing national digital identification for Guinea Conakry (West Africa), which he presented at an identity conference in Marseille, France in 2018. As the founder and executive director of WeNetworkNow, he empowers individuals of African descent through mentorship and professional development programs, earning the 2021 Minnesota Outstanding Refugee Award.

• INET 4007 – Security II: Cloud Security and Strategy

MS, computer science with specialization in data science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Bachelor of Engineering, with specialization in computer science and engineering, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India

Ashish Kumar is a senior enterprise architect in artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) at Amazon Web Services (AWS), a subsidiary of Amazon, where he assists customers to build cutting-edge generative AI-based solutions to solve business challenges. Ashish has held leadership roles at organizations such as Change Healthcare, McKesson, and UnitedHealth Group. He was part of a team at Change Healthcare that was awarded a patent and published a medical imaging-related research paper. He holds multiple certifications from AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure.

• INET 3102 – Web Infrastructure

BS, computer science, University of Minnesota

Mark Langanki has been working in the IT industry since 1989. His work centers on computing as it relates to telephony, networked applications, and distributed systems. Mark is the CTO of ConvergeOne and is leading innovation around the next model of IT and cloud services. He teaches at the University of Minnesota about operating systems, network programming, languages, and IT operations, and believes that learning doesn’t stop once a student graduates. Mark is dedicated to ensuring that students learn topics that will be applicable in the tech industry.

• INET 3101 – C Programming: Language and Applications
• INET 4001 – Introduction to Operating Systems
• INET 4021 – Dev Ops I: Network Programming
• INET 4707 – Introduction to Databases

PhD, information systems, Virginia Commonwealth University; MS and BS, computer and information science, University of North Florida

Dr. Lapke is an associate professor of information systems and cybersecurity at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA. Before that, he was an assistant professor and associate professor at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA. He has taught across the information systems and cybersecurity curricula at regional and large R1 universities. He has published research in many outlets, including Computers & Security, Health Policy and Technology, AIS Educator Journal, and The International Journal of Information Security and Privacy. Dr. Lapke is also active in industry as a cybersecurity consultant and software developer.

• INET 3011W – The Social Impact of Information Technology

PhD, leadership, Virginia Commonwealth University; MEd., instructional leadership, University of North Florida; BS, elementary education, Florida State University

Dr. Lapke’s background is a blend of leadership, business, and education. She is a visiting assistant professor of Leadership at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia. She was an associate dean and instructor of business administration at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA, and she has taught at other universities in the United States and internationally. Her research focuses on leadership as a means for securing information systems, power, and ethics in green technology and security policy implementation. As a lifelong learner, she is currently completing a postgraduate degree in accounting at the University of Virginia. Dr. Lapke is dedicated to the teaching profession and gives her students the most effective learning environment possible.

• INET 3011W – Social Impact of IT

MSDD, software design and development, University of Saint Thomas; BA, psychology, College of Saint Scholastica

Scott Lee-Eichenwald has diverse professional experience in social sciences and medical technology, with over 20+ years with medical devices companies including Guidant, Boston Scientific, Medtronic, and Smiths Medical. He also has experience providing enterprise interoperability software solutions for Infor's health care division. He has managed research and development and many global technology implementation projects. In addition, he has been teaching online for 15+ years. He is published in Healthcare Information Technology and received his Six Sigma Green Belt certification from the University of Saint Thomas in 2012. Scott holds an Information Systems Security Certificate from Colorado Technical University.

• HSM 4043 – Project and Program Management in Health Services Management
• HSM 4065 – Information Privacy and Security in Health Services Management
• INET 1001 – Survey of Information Technology
• INET 3011W – Social Impact of Information Technology
• INET 4051 – IT Infrastructure Operations

MBA in marketing management, University of St. Thomas; BA in sociology, University of Minnesota

Perry has been managing IT projects for some of the largest companies and organizations in the country for the last 15 years. He has worked in the finance and health care industries and with the federal government. Most recently Perry has been managing cybersecurity projects for large health care providers. He holds a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification through PMI and a Health Care Information Security and Privacy Practitioner (HCISPP) certification through ISC2.

• INET 2001 – Fundamentals of IT
• INET 4083W – Systems II: Analysis and Design
• INET 4709 – Data Management I: Data Systems Design

Master of Public Policy, Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota; BA, English, Eastern Illinois University.

Ben Marcy is very interested in supporting successful student experiences. His research focus as a doctoral candidate in Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development at the University of Minnesota looks at the intersections of whiteness and masculinity in various academic and professional contexts. Ben has over 15 years of teaching experience at St. Catherine University and the University of Minnesota, using pedagogies blending intentional emergence and performance arts. His teaching focus spans topics of leadership development, power and social change, career development, and diversity within the workplace. He has had a major role in the building of a writing-enriched curriculum in the ITI major and the development of INET 2001.

• INET 2001 – Fundamentals of IT

EdD, Educational Leadership and Organizational Leadership, and MA, Organizational Management, Concordia University-St Paul; BA, natural science, St. John’s University.

Dr. Masterman has been a technology leader delivering value for over 25 years to organizations like Target, Wells Fargo, Rollerblade, UCare, and Deepwatch. He has been teaching and designing courses for over 15 years for all levels of higher ed. He is the vice chair of the District Planning Advisory Council helping lead the effort to advise on programs and services for K–12 students and families in District 279. He is passionate about helping prepare students to thrive in the future workforce.

• INET 4001 – Foundations of Operating Systems
• INET 4032 – Systems I: Enterprise Storage and Protection
• INET 4709 – Data Management I: Data Systems Design
• INET 4711 – Data Management II: Distributed Database Architecture

PhD, information technology, Capella University; MBA, information technology management, University of St. Thomas; BA, management information systems, Augsburg University

As a seasoned IT professional with over 20 years of experience leading strategic projects, Dr. Nyariki is a recognized leader in information technology management. His research, driven by a passion for innovative solutions to real-world challenges, focuses on information security and advancing technology. He is committed to empowering students with the knowledge, skills, and inspiration needed to thrive in the dynamic field of information technology management. Through his teaching and research, he aims to cultivate the next generation of IT leaders who will drive positive change and innovation.

• INET 2001 – Fundamentals of IT
• INET 3011W – The Social Impact of Information Technology

BS, business administration, University of Wisconsin-River Falls

John Raabe currently leads the internal IT audit function at a major health care provider. Previously, he led IT systems administration staff, and he has designed and supported enterprise-class networks and systems. As a certified information systems auditor (CISA), he is particularly interested in IT controls, risk management, compliance, and network design and enterprise IT management issues. He also consults privately on system administration and network management.

• INET 4002 Foundations of Networking
• INET 4153 Introduction to Security: Policy and Regulation

PhD in organizational leadership, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota; MBA and Master of Information Technology, University of Texas; Master of Health Informatics, University of Minnesota; BS in engineering, NED Engineering University of Pakistan

Dr. Saeed’s background is a blend of engineering, information technology, and education, with more than 15 years of related experience at Westinghouse, General Nanosystems, General Dynamics C4 Systems, Samsung, and others in managing and delivering various IT projects. Her experience includes leadership roles in application and web development, database design, IT infrastructure system modifications, process and product development, and operational improvements. She has worked as a program director of information technology and assistant adjunct professor of ITIS at the Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, where she designed and managed three degree programs in areas such as information technology, business administration, and accounting.

• INET 4007 – Security II: Cloud Security and Strategy
• INET 4041 – Networking II: Emerging Technologies
• INET 4061 – Data Science I: Machine Learning Essentials
• INET 4165 – Security I: Cybersecurity Essentials

MS, business analytics and BISyE, industrial and systems engineering, University of Minnesota

Kyle Stahl is a senior data science supervisor at Cargill Inc, where he leads a team of data science specialists in solving complex machine learning and optimization problems across the agriculture industry. He has applied advanced analytics techniques to various industry groups within Cargill, including global supply chain, animal growth modeling, biochemistry, sales, agronomy, and production scheduling. Kyle works across the entire machine learning process, from defining the problem and collecting data to integrating mathematical models into software and helping people adapt their business processes to new technology.

• INET 4061 – Data Science I: Machine Learning Essentials
• INET 4062 – Data Science II: Advanced Analytics and AI

BA, history, with a minor in management information systems, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Daniel Stocker is senior director of infrastructure and production for the University of Minnesota, where he leads the backbone technologies that enable the University’s mission and strategic imperatives. His primary focus is the development of leaders and the creation of partnerships that support modernization of security, technology, and process, including site reliability engineering, DevOps, PAM, scaled Lean/Agile delivery, cybersecurity, hybrid cloud strategy, platforms, storage, databases, and PeopleSoft. Dan has held significant technology leadership roles at organizations such as Cargill and United Health Group, where his focuses included global IT resiliency, mission-critical lifecycle service, rollout of application server platforms, and technical resource development.

• INET 3102 – Web Infrastructure

MBA, Carlson School of Management; BS, business administration and computer information systems, Missouri State University

Nathan Tymeson has over 10 years experience in designing and building secure enterprise networks in corporate, Internet-facing, mobile, and extranet environments. He’s held roles ranging from tech support to network architecture, from network security to network manager--all within a variety of industries. A significant accomplishment of Nathan’s includes the design of complex wide area interconnect strategies for multinational corporations. He also has experience creating network and security strategies for manufacturing environments, network quality of service implementations, and mobile network design. He holds industry-recognized certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, and other vendor-neutral organizations.

• INET 4011 - Networking I: Networking Administration
• INET 4165 - Security I: Principles