Wayne Nordstrom
"I chose Norwich University Online because it offered the structure, discipline, and reputation of a senior military college without requiring me to step away from my career and family responsibilities."
Q: "Tell us about yourself: your family, friends, interests, and hobbies."
A: "Outside of work, I am big on family time, being outdoors, and picking up small projects that keep me curious. I am an avid musician playing wherever and whenever I can. I am someone who likes steady progress, whether it is in my career, my hobbies, or the way I approach everyday life."
Q: "Describe your professional background prior to enrolling, what motivated you to pursue this degree, and your long-term career goals."
A: "I work in cybersecurity and spend most of my time solving problems, reducing risk, and helping teams make sense of complex systems. I like learning new things, building better processes, and finding practical ways to make security easier for everyone involved. I decided to pursue my degree to open new doors and new opportunities. My long-term goal is to work in cybersecurity leadership roles, such as CISO, CIO, CTO, etc."
Q: "How have you applied what you learned in your role, and how has this degree impacted your career growth or direction?"
A: "I have been able to apply what I learned at Norwich directly to my cybersecurity work. The program pushed me to think beyond the technical side of the job and look at security as a full system, including people, processes, governance, and long‑term risk. That shift changed the way I approach vulnerability management, incident planning, and communication with leadership. I started framing problems in terms of business impact rather than just technical severity, which made my work more effective and easier for others to act on."
Q: "What will stay with you most from your Norwich experience, and what advice would you give to prospective students?"
A: "What will stay with me most from my Norwich experience is the sense of discipline and purpose the program brought into my life. Norwich has a way of holding you to a higher standard without ever feeling out of reach. The expectations were clear, the work was meaningful, and the faculty genuinely cared about students' success. That combination stays with you. It changes how you approach challenges and deadlines, and even how you communicate. I also will not forget the people I met along the way, especially my Academic Advisor, Paula Yunko, and my classmates from diverse backgrounds, branches of service, and industries, who brought perspectives I would not have encountered anywhere else."
Q: "Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your experiences at Norwich or the impact of Norwich on your life?"
A: "I am considering earning my master's degree, and it may very well be at Norwich University."
Q: "Why did you choose Norwich University Online? What influenced your decision to pursue an online program, and which aspects of the online learning experience proved most beneficial to you?"
A: "I chose Norwich University Online because it offered the structure, discipline, and reputation of a senior military college without requiring me to step away from my career and family responsibilities. The online format allowed me to keep working full‑time while finally finishing the degree I had put off for years. Norwich’s military heritage also mattered to me. My father served in WWII and Korea, and Norwich’s connection to service and leadership aligned with the values I grew up with."
Q: "What were your expectations before starting the program? How did your experience compare, and what aspects stood out most to you?"
A: "Before starting the program, I expected a solid academic experience with a lot of independent work and a steady pace that I could manage alongside a full‑time career. I knew Norwich had a strong reputation, so I assumed the coursework would be challenging, but I also expected it to be practical enough to apply directly to my work in cybersecurity. What I did not expect was how quickly the program would push me to think differently about leadership, communication, and the bigger picture behind security decisions."
