PAS CS/CIS 2018 Recipients

My names is James Bryan Romnes II, but I go by Bryan.

I have been in the computer science field of study since I started the Running-Start college program in 2009. I completed an AA transfer degree, after my high-school diploma, at Bellevue College in 2013 and transferred to Highline the year after. I have always been interested in cyber security and forensics, and Highline was the first place where both of those interests came together in a single program. I love what I do here, and I enjoy talking with my fellow students about new software and techniques in an environment that encourages collaboration and learning.

Thank you to all my teachers and classmates, you guys are what keeps me here and drives me to do my best!

I was first interested in computer science due to my sister, she built game apps that I would play around with and help her debug. So when I first enrolled Highline as a running start student I definitely wanted to explore the computer science classes they offered. I have to say that this was one of the best decisions I have made. I have learned coding languages such as Java, Python, PHP, HTML/CSS, SQL, that allows me to apply what I learned in the classroom to the real world. I have a few personal projects I’m exploring and creating something tangible and marketable is an amazing feeling. Currently I’ve been accepted into a 4-year university and applied for a few internships that have interested me. I hope to become a full time programmer like my sister and apply my knowledge to the industry. It has been a long road but it’s already paying off.

My love of Computer Science world began in 5th grade when my dad bought me my first computer. After a week I reassembled it, broke it and fixed it. I started looking for tutorials and books to learn more about the computer world. I was building computers, networking for the school for reasonable prices. Until my teacher introduced me to the programming world in 7th grade and redirected me to the path that I can apply my math knowledge and keyboard skills to make awesome automated programs. As a self taught developer, catching up with the current technology and industry is very challenging, thanks for my good friend Sherzod Kutfiddinov who also graduated from Highline Community College. He has been teaching me all the techniques and tricks with the current industry and has told me about Highline College and the opportunities that school has in order to achieve my goals.

Many years ago, when I first arrived at Highline College there was a swimming pool. But it burned down. I am now returning, many years later, for Cyber Security. Before I came back to Highline in the spring of 2016 I was told by some that my age would be a hindrance because I would be behind younger students that grew up coding and gaming. So I had originally decided on a different path. I then met a woman in the Cyber Security program that changed my mind. I sat down with Dr. Phillips who advised me that my management experience could actually benefit me in this new career. Now I work to encourage women of all ages to pursue cyber security, or any tech field.

I was originally drawn to the field when I was told about red team v. blue team jobs. These are jobs where a red team tries to hack a blue team, and the blue team tries to outsmart the red team. This is actually a job and not just a game. So here I am two years later getting my Digital Forensics Certificate in June and my AAS in August. This fall I will be able to pursue my BAS in Cyber Security with my current goal of either being a forensic investigator or filling my philanthropic needs and working to stop human trafficking or child pornography

I was born in 1977 and am 40 years old. I spent five years in the United States Marine Corps on active duty before working as a cable TV and internet service tech for the City of Tacoma for 15 years. Neck, shoulder, and knee injuries incurred on the job forced me to search for a new career path that led me through becoming a wastewater operator for a short time before choosing to return to school. I initially applied for another school for a business degree, fortunately my wife made more sense of my own personality and urged me into coming to Highline for the CIS program because of my love of all things tech. In my time here at Highline I have grown dramatically in my understanding of the technologies I hope to use in a future career of Cybersecurity but also in my understanding of who I am. Being given an opportunity to help mentor and assist new students in the understanding of CIS concepts has been an incredible honor and has led this last year to be one of the most exciting years of my life.

My biggest achievements since attending Highline have been:

1. being able to attend college
2. being accepted into the Cybersecurity BAS program
3. graduating the AAS Network Security Engineering Program
4. helping other students find ways to succeed and learn.