Shelley Marshall is a Senior Lecturer in Information Technology and Cybersecurity at Kent State University and serves as co-coordinator of Kent State’s online Bachelor of Science in Cybercriminology. With a career that bridges industry experience and higher education, she plays a key role in shaping a program that prepares students to navigate the complex intersection of technology, crime, and justice.
A Background Rooted in Real-World Technology
Before joining the Kent State faculty, Shelley built her career in the information technology field, working hands-on with networking, cybersecurity, and digital systems. That professional experience gives her a practical perspective on how technology works in real organizations—and how it can be misused in today’s digital landscape. She holds a master’s degree in technology and a master’s degree in criminology with a concentration in Homeland Security.
She brings that applied mindset into the classroom, helping students connect theory with real-world challenges they’ll encounter in cybersecurity, digital investigation, and technology-driven crime prevention.
Teaching with a Student-First Philosophy
Shelley is known for her strong commitment to student success. She believes that all students can thrive when they are supported, challenged, and given meaningful opportunities to learn. Her teaching emphasizes:
- clear expectations and practical application
- encouragement through complex technical material
- building confidence as students develop new skills
This approach is especially important in an online environment, where students may be balancing school with work, family, or military service.
Leadership in Cybercriminology
As co-coordinator of the online Bachelor of Science in Cybercriminology, Shelley helps guide the direction of a truly interdisciplinary program—one that blends:
- cybersecurity and information technology
- criminology and criminal justice
- ethics, law, and digital investigation
She collaborates with faculty across disciplines to ensure the curriculum stays relevant, academically rigorous, and aligned with how cybercrime and digital security evolve in the real world.
Preparing Students for a Changing Digital Landscape
Shelley is deeply invested in helping students prepare for careers that didn’t exist a generation ago. From cybercrime analysis to digital forensics and security operations, she supports a learning experience that equips graduates to think critically about:
- how technology shapes crime
- how digital evidence is used
- how justice systems adapt in a connected world
Her work helps ensure Kent State’s cybercriminology students are prepared not just to enter the workforce—but to lead within it.
About Kent State’s Online Bachelor of Science in Cybercriminology
Kent State’s online Bachelor of Science in Cybercriminology is a unique, interdisciplinary degree that combines criminology, criminal justice, and cybersecurity to prepare students for careers at the intersection of technology and public safety. The program explores cybercrime, digital investigation, online behavior, and the legal and ethical issues surrounding technology in today’s justice system.
Designed for working professionals, military-affiliated students, and career changers, the program is delivered 100% online, offering flexible scheduling and the ability to apply learning directly to real-world challenges.
Graduates are prepared for roles in areas such as cybercrime analysis, digital forensics, intelligence, cybersecurity support, and related public- and private-sector fields where technology and justice intersect.
