RW2 Career and Technical Education is proud to welcome Cybersecurity Instructor Dr. Cheryl Cooper, an accomplished expert whose career bridges technology, leadership, and advocacy.
With more than 25 years of experience in the cybersecurity and technology industries, Dr. Cooper brings deep expertise and lived experience to RW2’s fast-growing cybersecurity program.
She holds a Doctorate in Computer Science (Information Assurance), a Master of Science in Criminal Justice (Cybercrime Specialization), and prestigious industry credentials including CISSP, CDPSE, and CISSA.
But beyond credentials, Dr. Cooper represents something bigger—a vision of belonging, mentorship, and opportunity for people facing barriers to tech careers.
This blog introduces her story, her mission, and how she’ll help shape the next generation of cybersecurity professionals at RW2.
The Journey Behind the Cybersecurity Instructor Dr. Cheryl Cooper
Before entering academia, Dr. Cooper served in the U.S. Navy as a Telecom Technology Controller, where she learned the discipline, teamwork, and technical precision that later defined her approach to cybersecurity.
Her career spans corporate technology, government security, and community engagement—each chapter reinforcing her belief that everyone deserves a chance to thrive in technology.
At RW2, her leadership arrives at the perfect time. As cybersecurity threats evolve, companies and governments urgently need professionals who combine technical mastery with ethical responsibility. Dr. Cooper embodies both.
Why RW2 and Dr. Cheryl Cooper Are a Powerful Match
RW2’s mission has always been to build a workforce where everyone belongs.
That mission aligns seamlessly with Dr. Cooper’s life’s work: empowering others through mentorship and education.
Her philosophy fits RW2’s human-centered approach to learning:
- Hands-on learning that prepares students for real-world cybersecurity roles.
- Accessible pathways that open doors for people historically excluded from opportunity.
- Mentorship and motivation that inspire confidence, especially for learners entering tech for the first time.
Together, RW2 and Dr. Cooper are creating a space where technical skills and human potential meet.
Women in Cybersecurity Advocate and Mentor
Throughout her career, Dr. Cooper has been more than a technologist—she’s a Women in Cybersecurity Advocate who uses her voice to break barriers.
She has seen firsthand the biases and systemic challenges that keep talented women from entering or staying in tech.
Rather than accepting those realities, Dr. Cooper has chosen to change them.
Through workshops, mentorship programs, and speaking engagements across the Kansas City region and beyond, she helps women:
- Visualize their potential in cybersecurity and IT.
- Gain the confidence to pursue certifications and technical degrees.
- Build supportive professional networks.
- Overcome self-doubt that too often keeps talent on the sidelines.
Her nickname among peers — “The Women’s Champion” — reflects a career dedicated to uplifting others.
Cybersecurity Education and Mentorship: Building Skills That Matter
One of the reasons RW2 students are excited to learn from Dr. Cooper is her hands-on teaching philosophy.
She believes that cybersecurity education must go beyond theory—students need to practice real-world problem solving, critical thinking, and ethical decision-making.
At RW2, she will guide learners through concepts that prepare them for CompTIA Security+ certification, network defense, and incident response—while reinforcing integrity and accountability.
Her mentorship style centers on three pillars:
- Experience: Teaching from real-world examples drawn from her military and professional background.
- Expertise: Connecting classroom lessons to current threats and technologies shaping the industry.
- Empowerment: Encouraging each learner to see themselves as capable of creating change in their communities.
Through this approach, Dr. Cooper helps students not just enter the field but belong in it.
Q&A with Dr. Cheryl Cooper: Inside the Mind of a Cybersecurity Leader
- After years in the U.S. Navy’s telecommunications field, what made you decide to continue your journey in cybersecurity?
Continuing into cybersecurity wasn’t a pivot; it was a natural evolution. As a U.S. Navy veteran, I spent years engineering and troubleshooting massive telecom networks with over 50,000 elements.
I understood how data moved, how systems talked, and where the vulnerabilities lived. But when that same technology started showing up on the front porch of everyday consumers, in their phones, their homes, and their cars, I saw the risk landscape shift.
We no longer live in a world where networks are confined to server rooms. The lines between our personal and digital lives have blurred, and every device, every endpoint, is now a potential doorway for cyber threats.
I realized that if I could build the network, I could also protect it. And that’s exactly what I set out to do. From telecom engineer to cybersecurity advocate, I became a protector of people, data, and digital trust, and now a leader.
- Cybersecurity is constantly evolving — what keeps you inspired to keep learning and adapting after 25 years in the field?
I’m a mentor by nature, and mentors don’t just teach; we evolve so we can lift others as we climb. That’s what keeps me sharp.
The threats are getting smarter: AI-enhanced attacks, nation-state actors, and critical infrastructure in the crosshairs.
But so are the tools. We’re leveraging machine learning, behavioral analytics, and collaborative defense strategies like never before. To stay relevant, I have to stay ready.
Technology isn’t going to wait on anyone. It’s moving fast, and if we’re not learning, we’re lagging.
In this field, continuous learning isn’t just a good habit; it’s a strategic necessity. I stay inspired because every new skill I master becomes a tool I can pass on. And every time I level up, I create space for someone else to rise.
- What message do you want every RW2 student to carry with them once they graduate and enter the tech world?
Own your brilliance, and protect it.
You’re not just entering a career. You’re stepping into a battlefield where your voice, your vigilance, and your values matter. The tech world needs more than coders and analysts; it needs protectors, storytellers, and leaders who understand that cybersecurity is about people first.
I especially want women and those from underserved communities to know: you don’t have to wait for external systems to break barriers for you. You have the power to shape your own destiny.
I’ve spent years advocating for diversity of thought in cybersecurity because when we lack representation, we miss critical perspectives, and that puts everyone at risk. When everyone’s perspective is not at the table, the industry will suffer.
That’s why I keep learning. Because if I stay sharp, I stay equipped to lead the way, to mentor boldly, and to amplify the message that you belong in this space. Not someday, today.
And here’s something I tell every student: exercise your problem-solving muscles daily. That’s what sets you apart. Tools and tech will change, but your ability to think critically, adapt quickly, and solve creatively will always be your edge.
So stay curious. Stay teachable. And never underestimate the power of your perspective. You belong here, not just to take up space, but to shape it.
And remember this:
“If you’re waiting for technology to slow down, you’ll be waiting forever. Evolve boldly, because legacy doesn’t wait, and neither does innovation.
Why Representation and Belonging Matter in Cybersecurity
Too many talented people still face barriers to entering technology fields—not because they lack skill, but because they lack access or mentorship.
Dr. Cooper’s story challenges that narrative.
By teaching and mentoring through RW2, she’s helping create a future where:
- Every learner sees themselves represented in tech.
- Opportunities are based on potential, not pedigree.
- Belonging is the foundation of success.
That message resonates deeply with RW2’s vision: preparing students for today’s workforce while giving them confidence to shape tomorrow’s.
Join the Conversation
RW2 invites students, parents, partners, and professionals to connect with Dr. Cheryl Cooper and the RW2 team as they continue shaping new pathways into cybersecurity careers.
Whether you’re seeking mentorship, training, or collaboration, RW2 is committed to helping individuals build skills that lead to opportunity and belonging in the tech workforce.
For more information or to get involved, you can reach RW2 Career and Technical Education at 816-875-0111, visit www.rw2.education, or email rw2.cte@rw2.education.
Together, let’s build security — and futures.
