Virtual Town Hall With Duo Who Worked On Lockeed Martin Project

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ — Rowan College at Burlington County valedictorian Shanni Prutchi and Information Technology professor Paul Warner will discuss their experiences working together and learning from one another in the college's next Facebook Live Town Hall event.

Prutchi eagerly embraced her cybersecurity course load during her first semester at the school. However, it was one class with Warner that challenged her to reach her full potential.

“It was amazing, and I’ve been fortunate enough to have him (Warner) for other classes, both in-person and online,” Prutchi said. “Conducting student research for Lockheed Martin under his guidance was an incredible experience — both academically and because it furthered my understanding of the professional terrain. He’s so dedicated to his students; he’s made us (cybersecurity students) what we are today.”

“One of the things I always say is if you create enthusiasm in your program, students will want to tackle your projects. I’m here to guide my students, and once I guide them, they can take that information and run with it,” Warner said. “The ultimate goal of our program is to produce students who can function in the real world.”

They will share their experiences during Rowan College at Burlington County's next Facebook Live Town Hall at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, the college announced Friday morning. Viewers can submit questions throughout the livestream and at rcbc.edu/coronavirus.

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Prutchi, a 3+1 Computing and Informatics major, often spent 10 hour days on campus adding finishing touches to the Lockheed Martin project. When Warner heard that she would be recognized as the 2020 class valedictorian, he was not at all surprised.

“She deserves it; she’s an exceptional student. Whether it’s during a class discussion or a lab, she stands out,” Warner said. “The thing I like about Shanni is that she challenges you as an instructor, and she’s eager to learn. She’ll research a topic and come back with questions that engage the entire class. She was actually the first student in the program to earn her Security+ certification.”

Many of the cutting edge projects Rowan College at Burlington County cybersecurity students tackle require the ability to adapt, while working with both old and new technology.

“When my friends who teach at other colleges and universities see the work our students produce, they’re amazed,” Warner said. “We can do wonders with our programs at RCBC, and we’ve seen so many students earn their Security+ certifications and successfully enter both the cybersecurity and IT fields.”

To learn more about Rowan College at Burlington County’s 3+1 program in Computing and Informatics, click here.

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