Meet the Team

A multidisciplinary team from different background bringing unique skill sets to solve an open-ended problem.

ALEXANDRA BENC

ALEXANDRA BENC

Political Science, Class of 2021

Alexandra Benc is a junior majoring in political science and minoring in Honors Interdisciplinary Studies. Outside of class, she is the President of Alpha Phi Sorority, the largest Greek organization at JMU. She is also a member of the Delta Phi Epsilon International Business Society and the JMU Honors College. Her interests involve Eastern European politics and culture. Upon her graduation in December 2020, she hopes to work in this field through a government agency after earning a graduate degree in international affairs. Alexandra is confident that the Hacking 4 Defense course will provide her with the skills necessary to effectively communicate and develop realistic, creative solutions in the workforce.

EMILY CANNON

EMILY CANNON

Intelligence Analysis, class of 2022

Emily Cannon is a sophomore majoring in Intelligence Analysis with a minor in Spanish. Following graduation, she wants to work in national security in either the private sector or governmental agencies. Emily is passionate about understanding the process of intelligence while working amongst her peers to better immerse herself in an interdisciplinary group while integrating her background and research in intelligence analysis. Emily looks forward to furthering her skills in this field through an internship in summer 2020 with Leidos, a private contracting company located in Reston, Virginia.

PARTH PATEL

PARTH PATEL

Engineer, Class of 2020

Parth is a senior engineering student who is passionate about utilizing technology to build unique systems. He joined Hacking for Defense to tackle problems with undefined solutions and to gain experience working within a multidisciplinary team. After graduation, he wants to work in the system engineering role.  

SANTIAGO ALVAREZ

SANTIAGO ALVAREZ

Industrial design, Class of 2020

Santiago Alvarez Rodriguez is an Industrial Design Major. Following graduation, he wants to follow the pad of product and sneaker design. He joined the Hacking For Defense class to be able to work in an interdisciplinary class and to be able to use his design thinking in social matters.