April 2023
Coach Spotlight: Dr. Natalie Bell Marymount University
How did you first get involved with the NCL?
I first got involved in cyber competitions as an assistant coach for the Virginia CyberFusion competition in 2019. Since then, I have been coaching the Marymount University cyber team and helped them to officially establish the cyber club. Although our students played independently in the NCL, I encouraged them to compete as an official Marymount team, and our department is now covering their participation fees. This is our second season participating as a team in the NCL. I am excited about the future and look forward to many more seasons of NCL Competition and growth for our team.
What is the most interesting project you’ve worked on at Marymount University?
The most interesting project I have worked on at Marymount University is developing the curriculum for the new Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence program. I am particularly proud of my Principles of Artificial Intelligence curriculum, which has been approved by the University and is set to be taught starting in the fall of 2023.
What is the one thing your students like the most about the NCL?
0I appreciate that the NCL provides a gymnasium-like environment for students to practice and refine their cybersecurity skills. This unique feature is what sets the NCL apart from other competitions, and it is why I strongly encourage our students to participate. Our students also appreciate the NCL platform and how it allows them to track their scores and progress. They find the hints provided by the platform helpful when they get stuck during the practice. Overall, the NCL provides a comprehensive and engaging experience for our students, and we are grateful for the opportunity to participate.
What is one thing that you wish people knew about your job?
One thing I wish people knew about my job is that I see it as a divine mission to train and educate the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. Our location in Northern Virginia, close to government institutions and large cybersecurity companies, means that our students and alumni play a critical role in protecting our nation from cybercrime. I take great pride in preparing them for this important responsibility.
Before becoming a professor, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?
As a teenager, I worked as a TV anchor presenter for a children’s show and had my own radio show. In my adult life, I worked as an advisor for the International Organization for Migration, a UN agency, where I collaborated with the European Parliament and Commission on immigration issues.
What’s a fun fact about you that not many people know?
Fun fact about me that not many people know is that I belong to an amateur ladies bachata dance team at Ferocity Dance Company in Northern Virginia. I spend between 4-6 hours per week training in bachata when I’m not working in cybersecurity. Our team performs on stage during dance conventions and congresses, which is an exciting and fun experience for me outside of my work in cybersecurity.