How a learner鈥揻aculty connection became a professional partnership
In October 2018, Jesse Varsalone, collegiate associate professor of cybersecurity at University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC), led a Capture the Flag (CTF) cybersecurity competition at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia, designed to give military-affiliated learners hands-on, skills-based experience.
Chris Haller 鈥17, 鈥20, then a U.S. Navy information systems technician and UMGC student, attended to explore cybersecurity competitions and build practical skills.
鈥淲e first met when I was still active duty down in Virginia,鈥 Haller said. 鈥淭hat was my first real exposure to doing a CTF, and I just fell in love with it.鈥
Today, eight years later, Haller holds both a BS in Computer Networks and Cybersecurity and an MS in Cybersecurity Management & Policy from UMGC. He and Varsalone are now co-authors of , a guide for aspiring cybersecurity professionals to identify and assess system vulnerabilities.
Where it started: learning by doing
For many UMGC learners, experiential learning can deepen mentorship, accelerate skills, and open career pathways earlier.
For Haller, competing was transformative. 鈥淚t offered something traditional coursework couldn鈥檛鈥攕olving complex problems in a dynamic, applied environment,鈥 he said, noting that participating in competitions built muscle memory that translates into real-world career skills. 鈥淵ou can just immediately start making an impact.鈥
CTF competitions introduced Haller to open-ended challenges requiring persistence and creativity. Varsalone noticed immediately. 鈥淗e worked through challenges rather than getting discouraged,鈥 he said. 鈥淭hat level of engagement showed strong potential.鈥
From learner to collaborator
Haller鈥檚 progression wasn鈥檛 driven by a single moment, but by sustained effort. He continued competing, joined UMGC鈥檚 cybersecurity team, which Varsalone coaches, and built skills beyond course requirements.
鈥淲e later competed together remotely on the same team and won a competition together,鈥 Varsalone said. Those experiences translated into real-world capability, strengthening both Haller鈥檚 instincts and technical depth. Over time, Varsalone saw not just improvement, but commitment鈥攁nd their professional partnership began to evolve.
By the time Varsalone invited Haller to co-author a book, the shift was clear.听
鈥淲hat impressed me was that Chris had already completed his assigned chapters before I had even started mine,鈥 Varsalone said. 鈥淭hat initiative reinforced my confidence in him as a collaborator.鈥
During the writing process, Haller worked independently and quickly, leveraging his technical ability and industry experience, and complementing Varsalone鈥檚 teaching and writing expertise.
鈥淚t took almost a year and a half for us to complete writing the book,鈥 Haller said. 鈥淚 learned a lot going through that process.鈥
Mentorship that lasts
Both describe their relationship as grounded in mutual respect, consistency, and shared investment in growth.
鈥淢entorship is more than teaching course material,鈥 said Varsalone. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about identifying potential, creating opportunities, and building confidence.鈥
鈥淪ometimes students are capable of far more than they initially believe,鈥 he added.
Haller sees it through the lens of experience. 鈥淎 mentor provides insight that isn鈥檛 easily taught鈥攈ow skills apply in real-world environments and how to navigate a rapidly changing field,鈥 he said.
Chris Haller 鈥17, 鈥20 Navy veteran and cybersecurity professional
Their partnership also reflects mentorship as reciprocal.
鈥淚n cybersecurity, instructors continue learning from students as well,鈥 Varsalone said. 鈥淲orking with talented students and alumni helps educators stay connected to modern tools, operational realities, and new approaches.鈥
For Haller, what began as extracurricular involvement became foundational to his career. 鈥淭he combination of mentorship and hands-on experience accelerated my development,鈥 he said.
Both he and Varsalone emphasize mentorship as essential in a constantly evolving field, where connecting academic learning to real-world applications remains a critical advantage for career-focused learners.听
鈥淪tudents benefit most from guidance translating knowledge into practical skills,鈥 said Varsalone.
Asked about his advice to other learners, Haller encourages them to take initiative. 鈥淢any hesitate to reach out,鈥 he said. 鈥淏ut professionals are often willing to share their time and open doors. You would be so surprised by how many people would be willing to be mentors if you just ask.鈥
Varsalone and Haller鈥檚 story offers a practical example of what sustained, experiential mentorship can achieve, as a single competition evolved into an ongoing collaboration built on persistence, curiosity, and trust.
鈥淪ometimes a single opportunity, competition, or encouraging relationship can significantly influence a student鈥檚 confidence, career path, and future success,鈥 said Varsalone.听
Their book is one outcome. More broadly, their partnership reflects the long-term impact of mentorship that extends beyond the classroom鈥攕haping careers and strengthening the future of cybersecurity.
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Learn more about the 色情直播软件大全 cybersecurity competition team and its recent wins, or listen to a July 2026 podcast Hack the Madness: Building a Worldclass Cyber Team Online.听