ell marquez

I teach cybersecurity, but what matters most to me is helping people figure things out. I want them to learn how to actually do the work.

I don’t believe you can just memorize your way into this field. Real growth happens when you break things, get stuck, ask questions, and keep trying. That’s the kind of environment I create in my classes.

I run my courses like an onboarding experience, similar to how a help desk team works. You’re not expected to know everything. What matters is that you try, struggle a little, and learn how to figure things out. Around here, we say: It’s Okay To Be New.

Outside the classroom, I spend a lot of time building community. I started NightHAX to give students a place to practice, compete, and learn from each other without feeling like they need to be experts already. I’m also involved in DCG-SATX, where we bring together students and professionals to share knowledge and be part of something bigger.

I’ve seen many students rush to get certifications and jobs. That’s okay, but what really matters is what comes next. Can you handle failure? Can you work with a team? Can you keep learning when things don’t go the way you expected?

That's the part I care about most.