Bill Lyons and Dr. Robin Saunders appointed to oversee multiple online programs

With more than 30 years of experience in academia, consulting, law, government, and technology, and graduating from Norwich in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Bill Lyons has a strong history of being a highly respected executive, entrepreneur, and thought leader at the university. Lyons has been the codirector of the Global Resiliency Center since July 2022; his duties in this capacity have now been expanded to oversee and facilitate the online programs at CGCS, especially those pertaining to cybersecurity, diplomacy, and strategic studies. Lyons is also joining the campus as a professor of practice in engineering, where he will be teaching courses at the School of Engineering.

“Having Bill Lyons on the team at CGCS will allow us to expand our network in critical areas both domestically and internationally,” said Provost and Dean of the Faculty Dr. Karen F. Gaines. “His background in law, STEM, military intelligence, and environmental security will add dimension to our curriculum and grow opportunities for our online students.”

Prior to his current roles, he also served the university as the President of the Norwich University Alumni Association and as a member of the Partridge Society. In his military career, he served in command at all levels, from detachment through brigade. He is a combat veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and recently retired in the rank of colonel in the Army Reserve, having served most of his career in human intelligence and strategic military intelligence. He commanded two military intelligence brigades, including the 2200th Military Intelligence Group, Fort Devens, MA, and the 2500th Military Intelligence Group, Jacksonville, FL. He also holds a Juris Doctor from Suffolk University Law School (with honors in environmental law), a Master of Strategic Studies from the US Army War College, a Master of Transportation and Urban Systems from North Dakota State University, and a Master of Studies in Sustainability Leadership from
the University Cambridge (UK).

“I am so very excited to begin my next chapter with Norwich,” said Lyons. “Nearly 40 years ago, my Norwich journey began as a rook. Now, I will have the profound opportunity to shape the lives of our students through developing and delivering cutting-edge curricula tailored to the needs of our armed forces and industry. I am particularly excited about reinvigorating our graduate courses to reflect a dramatically different national security environment and threat profile than what we were trained for more than three decades ago.”

Dr. Saunders is set to launch Norwich’s technology programs into the new cybersecurity frontier. In her role at Norwich, Dr. Saunders will oversee Norwich’s online bachelor’s, master’s, and certificate programs in cybersecurity and information systems. Working alongside Norwich’s on-campus departments and research centers, such as the Leahy School of Cybersecurity and Advanced Computing, the Center for Cybersecurity & Forensics Education and Research (CyFER), and the AI Center, she will help grow and curate undergraduate and graduate online cybersecurity and computer science programs and emerging programs in artificial intelligence, cyber-informed engineering, and information warfare within their ties to industry, the military, and government.

“Dr. Saunders is an exceptional selection to lead the technology programs at CGCS,” said Associate Provost for Online Learning Aron Temkin, AIA. “With Norwich’s longstanding history of technological and academic innovation, it is essential to be at the forefront of cybersecurity education. I am confident in her skills and passion for digital media, cybersecurity, and education to hit the ground running as the new academic director.”

With a Ph.D. in Digital Media focused on cybersecurity and having taught various cybersecurity courses at institutions such as Bay Path University, New England College, and the University of Arizona, Dr. Saunders is a pioneering leader in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and education. Notably, she has received the ISC2 Scholarship for cybersecurity education and helped create the first global course on cybersecurity in the metaverse. She is also the creator of platforms such as CyberSafeSenior.com and GrannieGeek.com, which aim to boost cybersecurity awareness among seniors and young learners, and she wrote “Cybersecurity for the Digitally Challenged,” which has been downloaded over 20,000 times.

“As the new Academic Director of Cybersecurity and Information Systems at Norwich University my goal is to not only provide students with cutting-edge knowledge and skills but also to instill a passion for lifelong learning and a commitment to excellence,” said Dr. Saunders. “I am committed to building on Norwich's legacy, creating a future where professionals in cybersecurity and information systems lead with confidence and integrity.”

Outside of their professional endeavors, Dr. Saunders competes in triathlons with the Wyn Racing Triathlon team, and Lyons’ interests include environmental security, sustainable urban design, infrastructure and environment in developing countries, and new urban mobility. CGCS is proud to welcome these field experts to the virtual Hill.

For more information on CGCS and Norwich’s online offerings, please visit online.norwich.edu.