Faculty

Dr. Larry Adnanson
Dr. Larry Adnanson is the Director of IT of an international private/government K-12 school in Maryland, where he practices Information technology governance and information security hands-on daily. Before being named as the IT Director, Larry was one of the two regional executive directors of a charter company that owned and operated six most successful charter…

Dr. Azad Ali
Dr. Azad Ali has diverse educational and professional backgrounds. His education achievements consisted of completing a doctorate degree, two master’s degrees and a bachelor’s degree. Dr. Ali’s doctorate degree is in information systems and communication (DISC) from Robert Morris University in 2003. His master’s degrees are in business administration (MPA) from Indiana University of Pennsylvania…

Dr. Sahar Bahmani – Dean of Business
Dr. Sahar Bahmani is a scholar, researcher, professor, and Dean of Business Programs at the University of Fairfax. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2003), M.A. in Economics (2004) and PhD in Economics (2007). She has been teaching in higher education since 2003, online students since 2004, and graduate-level…

Dr. Joel Christensen
Dr. Christensen has earned five degrees, first earning an associate’s degree in marketing and sales from Rasmussen College, obtaining two Bachelor of Sciences degrees: Cybersecurity from Rasmussen University and Business Management Information Systems from University of Phoenix, a Master’s degree in Networking and Communication from DeVry University, and finally a Doctorate degree in Information Technology…

Dr. Jonathan Dalia
Dr. Jonathan Dalia first got into computers in the year 2000. The dot.com bubble was blowing up and the Internet was becoming a household word. He attended tech school to learn network engineering and data communications. After that he got his bachelor’s degree in telecommunications management. From there he obtained his master’s degree in IT…

Dr. Samuel Edgeston
Dr. Samuel Edgeston has over a decade of experience in business leadership, organizational development, and academia. He held various leadership roles at universities in Arizona and Tennessee, contributing to program development, governance, and faculty leadership. Dr. Edgeston previously served in Tennessee as a Licensed Professional Coach-Counselor, a Board Certified Business Coach, and a Tennessee Supreme…

Dr. Nilsa Elias
Dr. Nilsa Elias holds a Ph.D. in Information Technology and master’s degrees in Applied Computer Science and Organizational Leadership. With over 15 years of experience in higher education, she has taught in classroom, hybrid, and online formats. In 2012, she was awarded the Excellence In Teaching Award by the National Society for Leadership and Success. …

Dr. Ayodeji Idowu Falayi
Dr. Ayodeji Falayi teaches in Cybersecurity at the University of Fairfax. He brings a uniquely multidisciplinary background spanning cybersecurity engineering, artificial intelligence, cloud architecture, healthcare IT systems, and applied research across multiple technical domains. His work integrates advanced information technology with real-world security challenges, enabling students to connect technical concepts with meaningful industry applications. Dr.…

Dr. Sandra Fonseca
Sandra Fonseca is an IT, audit, project management, statistics, and accounting professor, program director, instructional content developer, and speaker. Her specializations are in information technology, risk management, IT audit, cybersecurity, statistics and data modeling, operations, and project management. Dr. Fonseca has over 30 years of experience in the IT cybersecurity, data governance, and project management…

Dr. John Giordani
Dr. John Giordani is a seasoned Technology Director and Risk Manager with 15+ years of progressive experience. He is a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) and holder of a Doctorate in Information Assurance (DIA). He is also an adjunct professor at the University of Fairfax, VA, and a recognized expert in developing security and privacy…

Dr. Orenthio Goodwin
As an accomplished IT professional, Dr. Goodwin has maintained effective functioning relationships and communication with federal and corporate clients in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the United States Air Force, and United States Army. Although Dr. Goodwin’s key experience lies in the fields of database technologies, information assurance, and instruction, he also has…

Dr. Kenyatta Hills
Dr. Hills is a researcher, business professor, scholar, doctoral research mentor, and published author. She has 19 years of experience developing, implementing, and managing complex projects for organizations as a program manager and director of center operations. Dr. Hills holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Florida (2005), Master’s degree in Business…

Dr. Muhammad Malook
Dr. M. Malook Rind has over 20 years of diversified experience in industry teaching, research, and academic leadership in the fields of cybersecurity, computer networks, and information systems. He holds a PhD in Information Technology and has been teaching undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral courses. His research focuses on cybersecurity, artificial intelligence applications in security, cloud…

Dr. Timothy McGee
Dr. Timothy M. McGee brings 25+ years of experience leading data science and cybersecurity initiatives across military and enterprise environments. Previously, he served as Sr. Manager of Data Operations Services & Enterprise Data Scientist at Serco, where he built an Azure-based enterprise data platform integrating multiple sources and led teams delivering AI/ML solutions at scale.…

Dr. Rodney McIver
Dr. McIver’s passion for teaching can be traced back to his pre-professional days. Whether as a trainer, educator, or mentor at Western Governors University, he is dedicated to life-long learning. Dr. McIver holds both undergraduate and graduate degrees in Computer Information Systems and Technology Systems. He obtained his Doctorate Degree in Information Systems Management from…

Dr. Sonya Melton
Dr. Sonya Melton is an information technology data professional with an history of meeting organizational goals utilizing consistent and proven industry standard practices. Dr. Melton has worked in the information technology industry for over 25 years in both private and public sections, in a variety of roles, including Systems Engineer, IT Consultant, Sr. Infrastructure Specialist…

Dr. Franklin Orellana
Dr. Franklin Orellana is an accomplished academic leader and researcher with extensive experience in data science, information technology, and business education. His professional background includes more than two decades of consulting in project management, organizational development, and analytics, supporting national and international firms across multiple industries. He has taught undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral courses for…

Dr. Swati Sharma
Dr. Swati Sharma is an accomplished academic, researcher, and entrepreneur with expertise spanning information technology, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and hospitality management. She teaches at American National University and the University of Fairfax, where she designs and teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in networking, cybersecurity, database systems, AI-driven technologies, and IT governance. Her teaching emphasizes hands-on…

Dr. Timothy Sorber
Dr. Timothy Sorber, DCS, PMP ITIL v3, has been working with technology for over thirty years. A twenty-two-year veteran, he has operated, tested, and performed systems engineering for many new technology systems within the Navy and as a DoD support contractor. Holding a Doctor of Computer Science degree, he has researched the Optimization of Big…

Dr. Juanita Stewart
Dr. Stewart is a scholar, published author, researcher, professor, and Change Agent. An innovative problem solver, skilled in information technology policies, data privacy policies, resource management, requirements analysis, information assurance, information security, contracting approaches, IT portfolio advisor, emerging technologies, and Education with over thirty years of experience with the Department of Defense. Dr. Stewart developed…

Dr. Rajan Thapaliya – Assistant Dean of Computer Science, Cybersecurity & IT
Dr. Rajan Thapaliya is a distinguished academic leader, award-winning professor, and a leading voice in Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, and Computer Science, known for his exceptional record of academic leadership and impact. Dr. Thapaliya served as Program Chair for the doctoral-level (DBA) program in Digital and Computer Science at Golden Gate University (GGU Worldwide). Recognized…

Dr. Lauren VanTalia
Dr. Lauren VanTalia has a longstanding interest in Information Technology dating back to middle school. Dr. VanTalia has achieved numerous academic and business goals over the years. Recognizing that failures can be powerful teachers, Dr. VanTalia has found success through diligence, assertiveness, and effective communication skills. Developing clear strategies for tackling complex tasks and goals has…

Dr. Kevin White
Dr. White is an expert in Information assurance, which is the practice of protecting and managing information and information systems from various risks. He has over 15 years’ experience in research and development and management in this field, as well as in related areas of Information technology, Cybersecurity. He has worked in different industries such…

Dr. Alex Yousefi
Dr. Yousefi’s experience includes being a business entrepreneur with more than 15 years in Information Systems Technology as a Computer Network Engineer, Big Data, Databases, Business, Data Analytics, and IT Consultant and leadership, Management. Dr. Yousefi has more than 15 years’ experience in the educational field as a Dean of Business and Accounting and Director…