We had 30 outstanding graduates from our programs in Fall and Summer 2023! Eight earned their Ph.D.s, four got their Doctorate of Engineering, 16 received master’s degrees, and two obtained certificates.

 

Here’s a list of the graduates followed by select testimonials.

 

Congratulations graduates! We are excited to see what’s next for you! 

Michael Botyarov, Ph.D.
Mac Cabrera, Ph.D.
Set Crawford, Ph.D.
Amy Eddy, Ph.D.
David Heap, Ph.D.
Moe Huss, Ph.D.
Kenly Maldonado, Ph.D.
Aaron Rabinowtiz, Ph.D.

Kyle Blond, D.Eng.
Howard Kleinwaks, D.Eng.
Amanda Normand, D.Eng.
Art Villanueva, D.Eng.
 

Fancy Cheptonui, M.S.
James Copenhaver, M.S.
Adam Ebersole, M.S.
Tim Kemp, M.S.
Mercy Mbua, M.S.
James Nunley, M.S.
Shane Stan, M.S.

Don Barker, M.E.
Alain Diaz, M.E.
Dan Golovach, M.E.
Julian MacKenzie, M.E.
Jacob Mury, M.E.
Sawyer Pettit, M.E.
Louis Stein, M.E.
John Sutton, M.E.
Jovan Torres, M.E.

David Byington, Certificate
Jacob Harper, Certificate 

Man in a suit.

Kyle Blond, D.Eng.

Hometown

Atlanta, GA

 

Current Home

Atlanta, GA

 

Dissertation

An Enterprise Analysis of KC-46A Maintenance Program Decision Making

 

Advisor

Dr. Thomas Bradley

 

Favorite memory

“Finishing my dissertation to capture 2+ years of research on my topic in one document.” 

 

Post-graduation plans

"Continue to support digital engineering decision-making for military and commercial aircraft fleets."

 

Special thanks

“To my spouse, Lauren, for her endless love and support. Also, to my children, family, dissertation committee, and co-workers at Georgia Tech Research Institute for their unwavering support in this journey.” 

 

Anything else you’d like to share?
"CSU’s D.Eng. program and the amazing people involved with it made this a reality for me. Compared to other institutions I looked at for a doctorate, CSU embodies the future of higher education."   

An AI generated image of a man with a robot body.

Art Villanueva, D.Eng.

Hometown

Quezon City, Philippines

 

Current Home

San Diego, California

 

Dissertation

Optimizing Text Analytics and Document Automation with Meta-algorithmic Systems Engineering

 

Advisor

Prof. Steve Simske

 

Favorite memory

“Getting called back 30 minutes after my final presentation and defense and called 'Dr. Villanueva.'”

 

Post-graduation plans

“Besides continuing my career journey in artificial intelligence, now that my nights and weekends are free once again, I plan on volunteering in the community, starting a consulting business, and maybe taking on an adjunct professorship.”

 

Special thanks

“I would like to thank my beautiful wife, Mary, and my brilliant and hilarious son, Zachary.”

 

Anything else you’d like to share?

“My photo that you see has been AI-manipulated. Only the face is me. I am not an android.”

Man in a suit with the US flag and the NASA flag.

Michael A. Cabrera, Ph.D.

Hometown

Houston, TX

 

Current Home

Houston, TX

 

Dissertation or thesis title

The Next Generation Space Suit: A Case Study of the Systems Engineering Challenges in Space Suit Development

 

Advisor or faculty mentor

Dr. Simske

 

Favorite memory

"Passing my final exam and reflecting on the process"

 

Post-graduation plans

“Continue working at Johnson Space Center and taking my lessons learned at CSU to benefit the aerospace community, refinement of the tools I developed in my dissertation and to continue post graduate education.”

 

Thanks you’d like to give

“To my parents for their support throughout the process, my advisor for his patience and helping me understand the importance of being critical, to the engineers at NASA for their role in the development of my case study and supporting tools and to my company for their support and patience while allowing me to attend university and continue working simultaneously.”

A man in a suite.

David Heap, Ph.D.

Hometown

New Orleans, LA

 

Current Home

New Orleans, LA

 

Dissertation or Thesis title

Sediment Management Alternatives Analysis in the Lousiaian Deltaic Plain

 

Advisor

Dr. Peter Young

 

Favorite memory

“Strategy discussions with Dr. Young, Dan Zimmerle, and Dr. Grigg were always a fun learning experience.”

 

Post-graduation plans

"I plan to continue my consulting career, but with a better perspective to offer clients and development partners."

 

Special thanks

“Kudos to the SE Dept. for the ability to work with students from different backgrounds as well as geographic locations.  I appreciate the flexibility and attention the curriculum offered me.”

 

Anything else you’d like to share?

“For anyone considering the grad program, especially if you're a full-time professional and a part-time student.....it's a long haul, but so worth it.”

Image of a young man in a suit.

Moe Huss, Ph.D.

Hometown

Egypt

 

Current Home


Sacramento, CA

 

Dissertation or thesis title (if applicable): Development and Quasi-experimental Study of the Scrum Model-Based System Architecture Process (sMBSAP) for Agile Model-Based Software Engineering.

 

Advisor or faculty mentor: 


Dr. Dan Herber and Dr. Mike Borky

 

Favorite memory

 

“One of the standout memories during my academic journey was when I first employed architectural models for code generation and complex decision simulation. This experience served as a turning point, shedding light on exciting opportunities for collaboration between architects and developers. The potential of seamlessly integrating AI with architecture could be a game-changer in how we approach system design. Mastering the art of connecting numerous organizational and system elements within the model while highlighting their interdependencies and impact on organizational and system behavior has become a crucial skill that I confidently apply when approaching digital transformation initiatives.”

 

Post-graduation plans

 

“My post-graduation plans involve continuing my role as the Director of Technology and Transformation at Delegata Corporation, a leading technology consulting company. In addition, I am committed to remaining a perpetual learner, actively staying abreast of the rapidly evolving technological landscape to drive digital transformation in the government.”

 

Thanks you’d like to give 

 

“I would like to thank a few people who, without their roles, contributions, and guidance, I wouldn’t be writing these lines today. My first advisor, Dr. Butler. The members of my committee, Dr. Mallette and Dr. Miller. I don’t have enough words to say about Dr. Borky and the role he played in reshaping my thinking about mode-based architecture. I am so grateful to Dr. Herber. Without his guidance, support, and advice, I would not have reached this milestone. I am also thankful to Prof. Batchelor, Dr. Simske, and Dr. Cale. Last but not least, I would like to thank Ingrid Bridge, who has been extremely helpful, responsive, and supportive throughout my journey in the program.”

Image of a man in a suit.

Don Barker, ME

Hometown

Born, Fort Collins, grew up in Littleton.


Current Home

Houston, Texas


Favorite memory

"Reliving CSU undergraduate memories while doing this master program."


Post-graduation plans

“Complete the development of the next lunar spacesuit and support human settlement of the Moon.”


Thanks you’d like to give

“Father and Mother, Paul and Kathy Barker.”