Wesley Chase Duclos graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin on May 3. His path to dual degrees was unorthodox, but it ended with him becoming the first UT Martin graduate with a degree in cybersecurity.
The Hollow Rock resident and first-generation college graduate earned bachelor’s degrees in computer science and cybersecurity.
“I want to get into a SOC (security operation center) analyst job eventually,” he said. “There are multiple aspects to that: learning about hardening your systems and common threats that you want to look for and prevent, what kind of attacks happen and how to prevent them – that kind of thing.
“There are also some theoretical topics like cryptography, methods of operating system hardening and network security hardening.”
Duclos (pronounced “DUKE-lows”) was studying computer science when associate professor of computer science Dr. Kathleen Ericson (now an adjunct instructor) told him about a cybersecurity course starting at UT Martin and encouraged him to take a course. Each semester, he signed up for more cybersecurity courses.
Now, with degrees in hand, Duclos will seek out certification so he can gain an entry-level position.
Duclos was a nontraditional student, first coming to UT Martin in 2010, then transferring to Jackson State Community College, where he became certified as an emergency medical technician. He then worked as an EMT for a few years before he injured his back.
He returned to UT Martin in 2023 to study computer science after attending UT Martin from 2010 to 2012.
Duclos has a family, including his wife, Shania Rose Toledo Duclos, and son, Aaron Levi Toledo Duclos, who is almost 2.
“As an older UTM student, I always felt welcome,” he said. “I haven’t had any issues, and I enjoyed being there.”
Duclos said that there were a couple of options he is considering.
“Now that I have a degree, I’m either looking into furthering my education or getting into industry,” he said. “My end goal is eventually to do SOC analyst work.”
Duclos said he is grateful to Dr. Jian Wang, assistant professor of computer science.
“He really helped me a lot throughout the program,” he said.
Duclos said there were some changes made to the cybersecurity curriculum that made him change his graduation date, but it was all worth it in the end.
“I was originally going to graduate last spring (2024) with just a computer science degree, but I sat down with Dr. Wang and asked him what I needed to have a minor in computer science,” he said.
“He said, ‘Well, you already have that, but you only need two more classes for your major.’ I said, ‘Well, I can take two more classes next semester.’”
Duclos said classes were rescheduled, and he had to take classes for an additional semester, enabling him to graduate in spring 2025.
The path from his first year on campus to his graduation stage may have been atypical, but Wesley Duclos showed that the pursuit of something you want is always worth the journey.
PHOTO: Wesley Chase Duclos (right), the first UT Martin student to receive a degree in cybersecurity, receives his diploma from UTM Chancellor Yancy Freeman during the May 3 commencement exercises at the university. A first-generation graduate, Duclos graduated cum laude from UT Martin with degrees in computer science and cybersecurity.
