Faculty and Staff
- Department Chair
- Department Staff
- Full-time Faculty - Germantown
- Part-time Faculty - Germantown
- Part-time Faculty - Takoma Park/Silver Spring
Department Chair
Email: margaret.tseng@montgomerycollege.edu
Phone: 240-567-7737
Office Location: Germantown Campus, BE 108 / SA 220L
Educational Background
BA, Diplomacy, National Cheng-Chi University Taipei, TaiwanMS, Psychology, Old Dominion University Norfolk, Virginia
MS, Computer Science, Old Dominion University Norfolk, Virginia
Department Staff
Email: sueneysha.halipa@montgomerycollege.edu
Phone: 240-567-2122
Office Location: Germantown Campus, BE 211
Email: norman.singer@montgomerycollege.edu
Phone: 240-567-2217
Office Location: Germantown Campus, HT 225
Email: paul.thompson@montgomerycollege.edu
Phone: 240-567-2132
Office Location: Germantown Campus, HT 230
Biography
Paul brings years of experience in cybersecurity and leadership to his role as Instructional Lab Coordinator. He has graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity Management and Policy, and a minor in Cybersecurity, from the University of Maryland Global Campus. Paul holds CompTIA Security+, Network+, and Project+ certifications and is ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC).In his prior roles, Paul has excelled in managing cybersecurity initiatives, including evaluating and strengthening security frameworks for enterprise systems. His expertise includes vulnerability identification, risk assessment, and ensuring compliance with various frameworks (i.e., NIST 800 series, CMMC, NIST CSF, PCI-DSS).
Full-time Faculty - Germantown
Email: ck.chiang@montgomerycollege.edu
Phone: 240-567-7825
Office Location: Germantown Campus, SA 220F
Educational Background
BS, Mechanical Engineering, Tamkang UniversityMS, Mechanical Engineering, Old Dominion University
PhD, Engineer Mechanics, Old Dominion University
Office Location: Germantown Campus, SA220J
Educational Background
MSITS
Email: alla.webb@montgomerycollege.edu
Phone: 240-567-7934
Office Location: Germantown Campus, SA 220Q
Educational Background
BS & MS, Mechanical Engineering, State Technical University, St.Petersburg, Russia
MS, Computer Science, Johns Hopkins University
PhD, Systems Engineering, George Washington University
Biography
Dr. Alla Webb holds both a B.S. and a M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from State Technical University, St.Petersburg, Russia, a M.S. in Computer Science from Johns Hopkins University, and a Ph.D. in Systems Engineering from George Washington University. She has over 15 years of experience in higher education and has taught a wide variety of computer science courses. Her professional experience in the private sectors involved all phases of the system development cycle, including project management, requirement analysis, system design, programming, testing, system administration, database design and administration, and system installation. Dr. Webb is the Principal Investigator (PI) of the American Association of Colleges and Universities Teaching to Increase Diversity and Equity in STEM (TIDES) grant.
Dr. Webb’s research interests include mobile development, software engineering, and database management systems.
Cybersecurity
Email: stephen.mcgowan@montgomerycollege.edu
Phone: 240-567-2438
Office Location: Germantown Campus, HT 228
Biography
Stephen McGowan is a Professor of Cybersecurity and Networking at Montgomery College.Mr. McGowan has over 30 years of information technology and training experience in programming, network management, database administration, information assurance, risk management, operations management, fraud, and cybersecurity.
Mr. McGowan graduated from University of Maryland, Global Campus and has earned a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems, Masters of Science in Information Technology (Phi Kappa Phi), Masters of Business Administration, and a Graduate Certificate in Information Assurance. He also obtained multiple certifications from Microsoft, CompTia, (ISC)², EC-Council, ISACA, Novell, project management, and multiple programming certifications.
Mr. McGowan has held multiple positions in education, information technology including security, fraud management, banking/financial, senior management, and information assurance.
Educational Background
Master of Business Administration (MBA), UMGCMaster of Science (MS) – IT/Information Assurance, UMGC
Bachelor of Science (BS) - Information Systems Management, UMGC
Associates Degree in Computer Management,PGCC
Email: reza.mirabrishami@montgomerycollege.edu
Phone: 240-567-1566
Office Location: Germantown Campus, HT 130
Biography
Reza Mirabrishami has extensive experience in cybersecurity, ethical hacking, and digital forensics. He is passionate about teaching practical, hands-on skills that prepare students for real-world cybersecurity challenges. With a background in penetration testing, risk management, and secure system design, he brings a practical approach to cybersecurity education.Reza holds a Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S.) in Cybersecurity from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). He has earned industry certifications and continues to stay updated with the latest trends in cybersecurity and emerging technologies.
Reza has held roles in cybersecurity consulting, and his teaching philosophy emphasizes both technical knowledge and ethical responsibility in cybersecurity practices.
Email: david.vargas@montgomerycollege.edu
Phone: 240-567-1933
Office Location: Germantown Campus, HT 131
Biography
David Vargas is a professor of cybersecurity. He has worked extensively in cybersecurity in both the public and private sectors and often shares his expertise at security conferences and professional meetings nationwide. Mr. Vargas graduated magna cum laude from The George Washington University and has completed graduate work in Information Systems at The Johns Hopkins University. He also holds several cybersecurity certifications. Before moving to academia, Mr. Vargas was President of VATG, Inc. a cybersecurity and network integration company.
Educational Background
BA, International Affairs, The George Washington University
MS, Information and Telecommunication Systems, The Johns Hopkins University
Email: silvia.vargas@montgomerycollege.edu
Phone: 240-567-1983
Office Location: Germantown Campus, HT 127
Biography
Silvia Vargas is a Professor of Cybersecurity and Networking at Montgomery College. She is the Cybersecurity Center Point of Contact (PoC) and Program Coordinator.She has over 15 years of engineering experience in network security, server and network administration, identity management, system integration, biometrics, and patch / vulnerability management.
Professor Vargas graduated cum laude from The Catholic University of America and has earned a bachelor's in Management Information Systems, a master's in Computer Science/Information Assurance, and a master's in Engineering Management.
She has served in various roles including security and project management for federal and state agencies. She has also taught undergraduate and graduate courses at George Washington University and The Catholic University of America, as well as training at other institutions across the Washington metropolitan area and abroad.
Computer Science and Networking
Email: Sandro.Fouche@montgomerycollege.edu
Phone: 240-567-1391
Office Location: Germantown Campus, SS 329
Educational Background
BS, Computer Science, University of Maryland College ParkPhD, Computer Science, University of Maryland College Park
Biography
Dr. Sandro Fouche received his B.S. and Ph.D degrees in Computer Science from the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP). Before to joining Montgomery College Takoma Park/Silver Spring, he was an Assistant Professor at Towson University and has been an adjunct instructor at Georgetown University and UMCP. Dr. Fouche's graduate work focused on Continuous Integration Testing merging his experience in Software Engineering and Large-Scale System Administration. Before beginning his academic career, he was a Programmer and System Administrator for companies including: Microsoft, America Online (AOL), and washingtonpost.com. He is also a long-standing member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers-Computer Society (IEEE-CS), Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), and the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). Professor Fouche is keenly interested in emerging technologies that broaden the reach of computing and empower users to interact with the world in new ways. In particular, he is currently interested in Digital Fabrication as well as the intersection of Blockchain technology and the Internet of Things.
Email: madhvi.shah@montgomerycollege.edu
Phone: 240-567-2439
Office Location: Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus, LB 012U
Biography
Madhvi Shah is an information technology professional with over 20 years of experience and has a Master of Science in Information Technology. She enjoys sharing her knowledge and real-world insights with students and is passionate about helping them succeed in the field. At Montgomery College, she brings a strong commitment to teaching and student engagement.Educational Background
BS in Science; Coursework in Oracle, Adobe Photoshop and Java
Email: ping-wei.tsai@montgomerycollege.edu
Phone: 240-567-5230
Office Location: Rockville Campus, SC 440
Educational Background
Master of ScienceCybersecurity
Email: ck.chiang@montgomerycollege.edu
Phone: 240-567-7825
Office Location: Germantown Campus, SA 220F
Educational Background
BS, Mechanical Engineering, Tamkang UniversityMS, Mechanical Engineering, Old Dominion University
PhD, Engineer Mechanics, Old Dominion University
Email: tesfaye.lemma@montgomerycollege.edu
Phone: 240-567-2428
Office Location: Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus, LB 012D
Biography
Tesfaye Lemma is an associate professor of cybersecurity and networking at Montgomery College. He is an SME in application and database development, ERP, information assurance, business intelligence (BI) analysis and development.Professor Lemma graduated from The Catholic University of America where he earned a master's in Computer Science/Information Assurance.
Part-time Faculty - Germantown
Office Location: Germantown Campus
Biography
Christopher Foster is an Adjunct Professor of Cybersecurity and Networking at Montgomery College, and a Cybersecurity Specialist for the US Army.
Professor Foster has worked extensively in the Information Technology field for over 20 years with specialized expertise in satellite communications, and Information Technology training. He earned a Master’s degree in Information Security and Assurance from Western Governor’s University and a Bachelors in Information Systems from Strayer University. His current certifications include Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified Ethical Hacker (C|EH), GIAC Python Coder (GPYC), Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI), Certified Security Analyst (ECSA), Network+, Security+, Server+, and Cloud Essentials+.
Office Location: Germantown Campus
Biography
Jacob Trigoboff is an Adjunct Professor of Cybersecurity and Networking at Montgomery College and a Cybersecurity Engineer for the US State Department's Bureau of Diplomatic Security.Professor Trigoboff graduated from the George Washington University with a master's in Digital Forensics and currently holds a Security+ SE Certification.
He is an avid cyclist, hiker, tech enthusiast, and signer.