A self-paced pathway introducing professionals to the impact of emerging technologies on national security and critical infrastructure, translating complex topics like quantum computing and blockchain into accessible learning.
Institute of Homeland Security & SHSU College of Criminal Justice
Blackboard Ultra LMS, Video Production
This project developed a 20–30 hour, self-paced learning pathway on Emerging Technology for Critical Infrastructure for the Institute of Homeland Security, in collaboration with Nick Reese, inaugural Director of Emerging Technology Policy at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The program equips professionals with a working understanding of how technologies such as quantum computing, blockchain, and other frontier innovations are reshaping national security, resilience, and global competition.
Hosted in Blackboard Ultra, the pathway integrates multimedia lectures, podcasts, and applied assessments to transform complex technical and policy material into accessible, engaging, and actionable learning experiences. By bridging policy insight, technical expertise, and instructional design, the project demonstrates the potential of digital learning to prepare leaders for the challenges of rapidly evolving technologies.
The primary challenge for this project was translating dense, engineering-heavy and policy-oriented content into learning experiences accessible to a broad professional audience across homeland security, public health, and critical infrastructure sectors. The material needed to maintain technical accuracy while also providing context and scaffolding for learners with diverse backgrounds, ensuring that cutting-edge topics such as quantum computing and blockchain could be understood and applied in real-world national security contexts.
Curriculum
Module 1: Introduction to Emerging Technology for Critical Infrastructure
Module 2: Emerging Technology and Geopolitics
Module 3: Quantum Computing Basics and Applications
Module 4: Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technology
IHSET1002: Emerging Technologies 2
Module 1: National Policy Making
Module 2: Open-source Research Techniques
Module 3: Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Module 4: Telecommunications
The development of this learning pathway required close collaboration with Nick Reese to transform complex technical and policy materials into accessible, engaging content. I built the courses from an initial set of PowerPoint slides and lecture notes, expanding and restructuring material where additional scaffolding or clarity was needed. When key concepts demanded greater precision or depth, I worked directly with Nick to refine explanations and ensure alignment with emerging policy frameworks. I also designed and integrated assessments within Blackboard Ultra to reinforce learner understanding. Beyond textual development, I partnered with the media team to produce branded video lectures and independently created supplemental podcast episodes, offering learners additional context and variety in format. This process resulted in multimedia-rich courses that balanced technical rigor with accessibility for a broad professional audience across homeland security and critical infrastructure sectors.
Lecture Example: Quantum Computing Overview
Below is a screen capture from a Blackboard Ultra lecture, with each learning module comprising four lectures.
3. Emerging Technology for Critical Infrastructure Podcast | Episode 1: Global Cyber Strategy
As part of the Emerging Technologies for Critical Infrastructure project, I produced a series of podcasts that wove together expert interviews, original audio, and layered sound design. Using Adobe Audition for editing and Descript for AI-powered transcription and text-based audio editing, I crafted engaging episodes that highlighted diverse perspectives on emerging technology and policy. Listen to Episode 1 below, featuring a conversation between Nick Reese and Jonathan Mangual, Adjunct Professor of Cyber Policy at Florida International University, on Global Cyber Strategy.