Professor Dr. Cheryl-Ann Henry

Dr. Cheryl-Ann Henry is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) with more than twenty-five years of experience in the information technology field. She is a full-time faculty member in the Computer Science Department within the Industrial STEM Pathway at Broward College, where she serves as Program Manager for the Computer Information Technology program.

Originally from Trinidad, Dr. Henry combines creativity, technical expertise, and strategic problem-solving in both her teaching and consulting practice. She earned a Ph.D. in Management from Walden University, and her academic and professional interests include artificial intelligence, blockchain, the Internet of Things, Web 3.0, and systems security.

Dr. Henry is a passionate, student-centered educator who fosters positive and inclusive learning environments. She supports diverse learning needs and promotes both excellence and success through applied learning, systems thinking, and the integration of emerging technologies. Dedicated to lifelong learning and professional growth, she strives to inspire innovation, critical inquiry, and achievement among her students.

Academic Success Stories From Dr. Victor Arenas

The Department of Information Technology proudly recognizes the academic milestone achieved by Professor Victor Arenas, who earned his Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Curriculum & Instruction, specializing in Instructional Design and Technology and E-Learning, from the University of West Florida in January 2023. Dr. Arenas’s professional authority is further strengthened by his extensive industry credentials, including PMI-PMP, PMI-ACP, PMI-CPMAI, ASQ-CSSBB, and CISSP. His expertise is enhanced by an Advanced Data Science Graduate Certificate, expanding his capacity to teach cutting-edge courses.

His doctoral research, titled “Professional Industry Certification as the Guiding Factor for Cybersecurity Course Content Delivery,” directly informs and elevates our high-demand technology curriculum and was the recipient of a Dissertation Grant. The study examined the critical relationship between industry standards and academic content, ensuring that our students are optimally prepared for the rapidly evolving field of cybersecurity.

Professor Todd Price Wins AI Competition

We are excited to congratulate Professor Todd Price on winning the Faculty AI Agent Competition at this year’s PlutoHacks hackathon!

Professor Price’s “AI Class Garden” idea that visually represents student progress truly captured the creativity and innovative thinking we were excited to see in this competition. Students and staff alike were extremely impressed by both the originality of his concept and the engaging video presentation that brought his vision to life.

We thank him for modeling innovation, curiosity, and forward-thinking for our students. By sharing his idea, Professor Price not only inspired fellow peers at Broward College but also showed students what’s possible when imagination and technology come together to enhance teaching and learning.

CYBERSECURITY & COMPUTER PROGRAMMING CLUB

Broward College students with a passion for technology, coding, and cybersecurity now have a new place to connect, learn, and create. The Cyber Security/Computer Programming Club (CS/CPC) – North Campus welcomes all students interested in exploring computer science, ethical hacking, programming, and digital innovation. Members will have the opportunity to collaborate on projects, attend hands-on workshops, and engage with industry professionals. CS/CPC Club meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2pm-4pm in Building 48 / Room 221. Join us today to build your skills, expand your network, and be part of a growing tech community at Broward College!

CLiC CLUB

The Computer Literacy and Coding Club, otherwise known as CLiC Club, is going into its fourth year at South Campus!

We gather students with a common interest in Information and Technology regardless of their major. This semester, the activities that the club has participated in so far have been piloting drones through Python coding in September and Virtual Reality with the Meta Quest 3's in October. The club meets biweekly, every other Wednesday and Thursday here in the Maker Space on South Campus Building 72 Room 255 at 12:15 p.m.

AI AND ROBOTICS CLUB

The IT and Engineering Department is excited to announce the new Artificial Intelligence Robotics Club at Broward College’s South Campus—a collaborative space for students to explore AI, machine learning, and robotics through hands-on projects and peer learning. Open to all skill levels, the club offers workshops, competitions, real-world problem-solving challenges, and opportunities to work with AI frameworks, build autonomous robots, and engage with industry professionals.

Weekly meetings are held every Thursday at 3:30 p.m. in the Makerspace. Students from all programs are encouraged to join this initiative, which connects theoretical knowledge with practical innovation. For more information about meeting times and involvement, contact the department or follow the club on campus social media.

CYBER NETICS

The IT and Engineering Department is proud to introduce "Cyber Netics," the new Cybersecurity & Ethical Hacking club at Broward College's Central Campus! Cyber Netics is a dynamic student organization that offers an engaging platform for students to build practical cybersecurity skills through Capture the Flag competitions, hands-on labs, and real-world security challenges. Open to all experience levels, the club supports everyone from beginners exploring cybersecurity careers to advanced students pursuing certifications like Security+, CEH, or CISSP. Members gain experience with cutting-edge security tools, participate in regional competitions, learn about threat intelligence and incident response, and connect with industry professionals through guest speakers and field trips. Cyber Netics helps students strengthen technical skills, build community, and prepare for one of the fastest-growing fields in technology. For meeting schedules and membership details, scan the QR code or visit https://www.broward.edu/iteng/clubs.html.

PlutoHacks Hackathon Turns 10

Thirty-five teams of young hackers, totaling 113 participants, set up camp in a Broward College gym for 24 hours as part of the 10th annual PlutoHacks hackathon. The gym at Davie’s A. Hugh Adams Central Campus was transformed into a workspace and vendor fair for the teams as they worked to come up with an idea for an app or a piece of hardware and have it working within 24 hours. Teams learned the theme at the start of the hackathon to prevent advance preparation, and this year’s theme was “past, present, future” to celebrate PlutoHacks’ 10th anniversary. “This was the best turnout we’ve had so far,” said Michelle Levine, Associate Vice President at the Center for Teaching Excellence & Learning, who has helped organize the event since 2015. “The energy was amazing, and the students had some really good ideas.” One highlight for Levine was that two of her online students, one in dual-enrollment and the other from the College Academy, were part of the team that won Best First Time Hacker. Their project, LegacyDrive, was an app that can be installed on old computers to turn them into personal cloud storage devices both for increased privacy and to reduce e-waste. Another team, made up of College Academy students, won Best Honorable Mention for mAI-Detector, a Chrome extension that scans pages for AI-written content and misinformation. The Best Past, Present & Future award went to a high schooler for the Universal Renewable Energy Factory (U.R.E.F), a prototype design for a renewable energy building created entirely in the Minecraft video game. Finally, the Best Overall award went to two FIU students for Voxtant, an AI interview coach that turned job postings into live practice sessions.

“As the Dean of IT and Engineering at Broward College,” Dean Swaid shares, “I am immensely proud of the creativity and problem-solving skills displayed at the 10th annual PlutoHacks. The energy and high quality of projects—especially those that directly engaged the ‘past, present, future’ theme—demonstrated a sophisticated understanding of technology's role in society. We saw incredible innovation, from LegacyDrive reducing e-waste (Past) and mAI-Detector combating current misinformation (Present), to future-focused projects like Voxtant, an AI interview coach, and Ms. Infinite Loop, an AI article generator that specifically celebrates women in tech across all time periods, perfectly embodying the theme's full scope."

PlutoHacks awarded prizes like gift cards, computer monitors, and even a 3D printer, but participants were most drawn to creating projects and forming new connections. Many former hackers return as organizers to mentor students, including programmer Grace Hechavarria, who credits the event with teaching her product-building, teamwork, and forming lasting friendships. First-time organizer Sunnah Imhotep said organizing was less stressful and very rewarding, while Academic Technologist Ester Sims praised the creativity of the mostly first-time participants. Overall, organizers say PlutoHacks continues to grow each year, building skills, community, and a supportive environment for students.

The IT and Engineering Department offers students an opportunity to pursue certain CompTIA and CISCO industry certifications at no charge.  After successfully completing the course aligned to the certification, interested students enroll in the Certification Institute, https://www.broward.edu/iteng/certifications.html, and receive additional exam preparation materials and the test once the preparedness requirement is met. Industry certifications in the information technology (IT) field play a vital role in enhancing employment opportunities and professional credibility. They provide employers with assurance that candidates possess the technical skills and practical knowledge necessary to perform specific job functions effectively. Certifications such as CompTIA, Cisco (CCNA), Microsoft (MCSA), and AWS validate expertise in areas like networking, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and system administration—skills that are in high demand across industries. For job seekers, earning certifications demonstrates commitment to continuous learning and professional development, distinguishing them from other applicants who may have similar academic backgrounds but lack validated credentials. Many employers use certifications as part of their hiring criteria, often listing them as preferred or required qualifications for technical roles. Additionally, certifications can lead to higher salaries, faster promotions, and greater job security as they align with industry standards and evolving technologies. For organizations, employing certified professionals enhances operational efficiency, reduces downtime, and ensures adherence to best practices in IT governance and security. Overall, industry certifications bridge the gap between education and employment, providing a measurable and recognized standard of excellence in the ever-changing IT landscape. 

Broward College – College Academy FarmBot Collaboration

Through an exciting partnership between Broward College’s Project ACCESS and the College Academy at Broward College, students are gaining hands-on experience in agricultural technology, robotics, and environmental sustainability using the FarmBot Genesis system.

This innovative project allows students to explore the intersection of STEM, automation, and sustainability by assembling, programming, and operating a robotic garden that plants, waters, and monitors crops autonomously. Guided by Broward College’s iSTEM Center staff and faculty mentors, participants learn coding, engineering design, and data analysis while developing real-world problem-solving skills. The FarmBot collaboration exemplifies how early college students can engage in authentic research and emerging technologies—preparing the next generation of innovators in agriculture, robotics, and environmental science.

South Campus Makerspace

The IT and Engineering Department is thrilled to announce the opening of the new Makerspace at Broward College's South Campus! This state-of-the-art facility empowers students to transform their creative ideas into tangible reality through access to advanced fabrication tools and equipment, including 3D printers, laser cutters, soldering stations, CNC machines, and electronics workbenches. Designed to foster innovation and hands-on learning, the Makerspace provides a collaborative environment where students can prototype projects, develop technical skills, and experiment with emerging technologies across disciplines.

Whether you're designing circuit boards for a class project, fabricating custom parts for a competition, or exploring personal passion projects, the Makerspace offers the resources and support to bring your vision to life. Trained staff members are available during open hours to provide equipment training, technical guidance, and project consultation. Students from all programs are welcome to reserve time and take advantage of this incredible resource that bridges classroom theory with maker culture and entrepreneurial thinking. Stop by during our open house week to tour the facility, meet the team, and discover how the Makerspace can enhance your educational experience.

Entered into effect on August 1, 2025, Broward College and Florida International University (FIU) have officially signed an articulation agreement establishing a new pathway from Broward’s Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Information Technology to FIU’s Master of Science in Applied Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things (MSAAI-IoT) program.

This partnership marks a significant step forward in expanding advanced STEM opportunities for Broward College graduates, allowing students to seamlessly transition into one of FIU’s most cutting-edge graduate programs focused on AI, data analytics, and connected technologies.

Congratulations to Dr. Samar Swaid, Dean of IT and Engineering at Broward College, and Dr. Nonnarit O-Larnnithipong and Dr. Janie Valdés from FIU for their leadership in finalizing this important collaboration.

Together, both institutions continue to strengthen pathways that prepare students for the future of intelligent systems and emerging technologies.