To: Academic Advisor Kayla Stepinac
From: Brendan Lendino
Program: B.S. Information Technology — Cybersecurity Concentration, William Paterson University
Purpose: Status report (progress/activity) for web portfolio, outlining degree progress, learning, challenges, and next steps.
Summary of Progress: DegreeWorks shows 97 / 120 credits completed. University Core Curriculum areas are complete or in progress (Expression; Ways of Knowing; Diversity & Justice; Community & Civic Engagement). Remaining credits are scheduled to complete the degree on time.
Coursework & Learning Highlights (no grades):
- Computer & Information Technology — foundations of computing, operating systems, and IT practice.
- Computer Science I — problem‑solving, algorithms, and programming fundamentals.
- Fundamentals of Computer Hardware — components, performance, and troubleshooting.
- Object‑Oriented Programming in Java — modular design and maintainable code.
- Discrete Structures for CIT — logic, sets, functions, and graphs supporting CS thinking.
- Writing‑Intensive & Technical Writing — clear documentation and professional communication.
Professional Development: Practical experience across systems, networking, and cybersecurity. Industry certifications pursued and maintained (CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+) complement academic work.
Challenges & Growth: Returning to school required rebuilding study systems and balancing work/school. The experience improved time management, resilience, and technical depth, and clarified my direction toward cybersecurity operations and infrastructure.
Next Steps:
- Complete the remaining 23 credits and any outstanding program requirements.
- Advance skills in security operations, networking, and Linux administration.
- Continue professional certifications and project work to demonstrate applied skills.