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As a young girl growing up in Mississippi, Kalyn (Cook) Cowdin always aspired for greatness. Raised in a community where money was tight - and education was undervalued - she pushed the boundaries and refused to settle for the status quo.

“I wanted to be a veterinarian, then a horse trainer, then an astronaut, then an astrophysicist,” said Kalyn, now 27, who resides in Castle Rock. “I went through a lot of phases, but during middle school, I was inspired by an experimental computer class that sparked my interest in technology.”

Upon her graduation from high school, Kalyn held several jobs, including internet technician, horse trainer / barn manager, quality control technician, funeral home office manager, caretaker, and drug store manager to name a few.

“About 7 years ago, I watched a lecture series by David M. Meyer entitled 'Experiencing Hubble: Understanding the Greatest Images of the Universe,' and that's what got me hooked on my space obsession,” Kalyn explained. “I’ve always had a soft spot for planes, and I like anything that goes fast.”

In 2018, Kalyn moved to Colorado by herself to make a lifestyle change. She learned about Arapahoe Community College’s (����ý) Cybersecurity Associate of Applied Science degree at the Sturm Collaboration Campus at Castle Rock and knew it was for her.

“I figured cybersecurity was a great way to bring my passions to life,” Kalyn explained. "There's no ceiling for cybersecurity, and the options are limitless. I built my first gaming PC a few years ago and I think that gave me the confidence to take the leap and apply to ����ý.”

That courage has paid dividends for Kalyn, who has excelled at ����ý and was recently hired as an Engineering Aide Sr. at Lockheed Martin through the .

“I love Lockheed Martin because of Hubble and the , and I love my country and want to contribute,” states Kalyn. “I really want to make a difference, even if it's a small part in a bigger picture. I believe, wholeheartedly, that we are right on the cusp of FTL (faster-than-light) travel and I want to help get us there.”

Kalyn, who is still working towards the completion of her Cybersecurity degree at ����ý, also attended the in Ohio last March.

“Cybersecurity has completely turned my life around, and I am so thankful for where I am today,” expressed Kalyn. “I also discovered Linux which has become a major fascination for me. I hope to specialize in Linux systems for my bachelor’s degree, and I want to be the mom who has the coolest job on the planet.”