HCU alumnus Ethan Schellingerhout developed a fascination for computers in middle school. He remembers watching some of his friends use their burgeoning tech skills to conduct pranks from changing the color of the Google homepage to inserting a USB drive into a laptop causing the DVD drive to open repeatedly.
His parents, both scientists, exposed him to the world of science, but his innate curiosity and broad interests made it challenging to decide on a degree program in college. He applied to HCU as an undecided major, later declaring Computer Science as his major before changing to Cyber Engineering at the end of his freshman year.
“I’m a very inquisitive person with a broad set of interests and that made it difficult for me to nail down one particular area to dedicate my studies,” said the HCU alumnus.
Despite his challenges choosing a major, his decision to enroll at HCU was easy. “Choosing a university was easier for me than most because I knew I wanted to continue living with my parents throughout the degree. In addition to the financial advantages commuting provides, my parents are among my best friends, and I wanted to stay close to them,” he said.
HCU’s competitive financial aid package and faith-based values also factored in his decision. A graduate of HCU’s Honors College, Schellingerhout describes himself as “an oddball among engineers” because of his deep appreciation for STEM and the liberal arts.
“As someone not innately blessed with spectacular social skills, speaking to people for hundreds of hours about often sensitive topics was very good for my communication skills. I also became a better writer, wiser, more generally knowledgeable, and made many good friends through the Honors College,” he added.
He earned his Cyber Engineering degree with a 4.0 GPA (the highest GPA in his spring 2024 graduating class). After interning at Honeywell in his senior year, he was offered a job as a cybersecurity engineer on the company’s managed security services operations team where he uses his skills to configure virtual machines with antivirus software and remote access solutions that protect clients’ networks and allows them to securely access their computers remotely.
He credits HCU’s Computer Networks and Computer Network Security courses as well as field trips and networking opportunities coordinated by the College of Science and Engineering for preparing him for his current position.
“I never would have gotten this opportunity if not for a field trip to TRG Data Centers and my attending the Houston Security Conference, so I’m very appreciative of all the networking events the program recommends,” said Schellingerhout. He also values the support received from his professors throughout his undergraduate studies, particularly HCU Assistant Professor of Computer Science Dr. Marian Zaki for engaging in countless conversations on computer science and cybersecurity.
“I’m glad my professors at HCU always welcomed my never-ending barrage of questions and encouraged my curiosity, a trait that has served me well in my attempt to deeply understand whatever I work at.”
In addition to a strong academic foundation, Schellingerhout is grateful for the spiritual foundation received at HCU and particularly values his involvement with the Navigators, an international Christian ministry with an intense focus on discipleship that he credits most for his spiritual growth.
For Schellingerhout, the Navigators is not just an organization, but an intimate family filled with love, support and many growth opportunities. Before joining the group, he describes a stage in his faith where he was receiving spiritual nourishment but “not giving much away.” The ministry helped him reach the next stage of his spiritual development and recognize that “it is more blessed to give than to receive.”
“They’ve taught me to not live for the temporary material, but for the eternal: God, His Word, and the souls of men and women,” said Schellingerhout. The HCU alum is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence that will position him to work at the intersection of AI and Security and has thoughts of pursuing a doctoral degree, but he presently is focused on an even higher aim.
“Most importantly, I would like to be involved in some form of ministry for the rest of my life. I think there are too many Christians out there who only work their 9 to 5 and attend church on Sundays. If the Gospel is to be spread, we need to more actively participate in the body of Christ,” said Schellingerhout.
“I would love to someday be someone who excels in his field and continually spreads the gospel no matter how tough life gets.”