Alumnus Shares Top Five Places on Prescott Campus
In 2019, Alan Tomyaszycki (’19) graduated from Embry Riddle’s Prescott Campus, the #1 Best Regional College in the West according to “U.S. News and World Report.” He completed his degree with a double major in Cyber Intelligence and Security and Aeronautics along with a minor in helicopter flight.
The Embry‑Riddle Advantage
When reflecting on his time at Embry‑Riddle, Tomyaszycki talked about how interacting with and learning from industry-experienced professors was extremely helpful in growing his own knowledge within his field. Hands-on skill development is essential in much of the coursework offered at Embry‑Riddle, hence why many professors will emphasize student participation in real-life applicable research and offer a guiding hand throughout the process.
“Embry‑Riddle hires professors and staff that have been in the industry and have years of experience,” explained Tomaszycki. “The college has a small class [size] and I found it very easy to connect to my professor and other staff around the campus. This really motivated me to be successful and gave me a lasting positive experience with the university.”
Small class sizes are often labeled as a favorite feature of the university for students. Due to its relatively small class sizes, Embry‑Riddle offers students unique opportunities to make meaningful connections among fellow students and professors alike. Often within a program, students will find their classes filled with familiar faces and like-minded peers. This sense of comradery leads to more successful teamwork, which can be helpful in virtually any field of study.
Working for The Boeing Company
Tomaszycki began his career at Boeing as a Product Cybersecurity Analyst for Boeing Commercial Airplanes in product development. Today, Tomaszycki serves as a member of The Boeing Company’s Security Vulnerability Management team and credits his promotion to the position to his professors and the cybersecurity knowledge he gained during his undergraduate coursework at Embry‑Riddle.
In his position at Boeing, Tomaszycki analyzes various cyber security threats, including analyzing emerging cyber vulnerabilities in the industry and determining what course of action is necessary to prevent them.
Top Five Places Embry‑Riddle's Prescott Campus
While thinking back on the time he spent at Embry‑Riddle, Tomaszycki recalled his favorite five places on Prescott’s campus to relax, study, stay active and connect with peers and faculty between classes:
Jack R. Hunt Student Union: “I think this is where I had some of my favorite memories. Playing pool, Nintendo switch and eating lunch were always a great time with friends.”
Christine & Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Library & Learning Center: “If I needed to get work done, I [sat] in the quiet area in the back listening to electric dance music and drinking coffee. I attribute the library to me getting my work done on time and the staff for helping me tremendously with writing.”
Glen A. Doherty Center of Security & Intelligence Studies: “I spent a lot of time in the Cyber lab. From clubs to study sessions, this room was a place of educational entertaining.”
The Athletics Center: “Strength training and cardio [was] a good way to clear the mind.”
Academic Complex I (AC-1): “I would meet with professors for professional and sometimes personal advice. It was nice to have most of them in one place.”
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