Biography
Lakan Sheets is the Partnership & Engagement Lead at the Institute for Cybersecurity, where she drives strategic initiatives that advance collaboration, innovation, and community engagement. She serves as faculty lead for the university’s Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) chapter and the Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) Student Lab, creating dynamic, hands-on learning environments that prepare students for real-world challenges.
With a unique interdisciplinary background bridging healthcare and cybersecurity, Lakan offers a rare blend of technical and human-centered expertise. She holds a B.S. in Health Sciences, with minors in Communication Studies, Communication Disorders, and Psychology, and an M.S. in Cyber Forensics and Security. Her work emphasizes the critical intersection of digital health and cybersecurity, focusing on the protection of patient data, operational resilience, and the security of healthcare infrastructure.
A skilled communicator, Lakan excels at translating complex cybersecurity concepts into accessible, engaging content for diverse audiences. She plays a key role in curriculum development, designing micro-credential courses tailored to meet the evolving needs of industry, private partners, and the broader community. She is a member of WiCyS, a national organization advancing women in cybersecurity, and a graduate of a SANS leadership program, where she strengthened her capabilities in strategic planning and cybersecurity leadership.
In addition to her academic and instructional roles, Lakan supports major ICS initiatives, including MU CyberCon, tabletop exercises (TTXs), and strategic communications, managing the Institute’s public presence and outreach to stakeholders.
Lakan welcomes opportunities to collaborate with academic, industry, and community partners on cybersecurity education, outreach, and workforce development initiatives. She is committed to advancing cybersecurity education and building stronger, more resilient digital communities across all sectors.