Entrepreneurship and Small Business (ESB) Certification
06/17/2022
Entrepreneurship and Small Business (ESB) Certification Program provides DC’s first-generation, under-resourced entrepreneurs, a full year of support which includes 15 weeks of intense classroom training, business planning and coaching, as well as marketing tools, networking opportunities, seed investment. Get paid $10,25 an hour, while you learn!
Start Date: October 24, 2022
ROBI is currently funded and offered through the District of Columbia Department of Employment Services (DOES) for free for the eligible District of Columbia residents.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ROBI PROGRAM?
ROBI program participants must be;
Between 18 – 24 years old
Have a high school diploma
Out of school & out of work
If you are applying to the program under DC Government Department of Employment Services, here is thechecklistof documents you will need to be certified and or deemed eligible to participate in the program.
Resident Owned Business Incubator (ROBI)’s program of study utilizes the Entrepreneurship and Small Business (ESB) Certification offered by Certiport, a globally recognized leader in certification exam development. Students who successfully complete the program will leave with their business plan, business license, website, logo, electronic business card, custom domain, personal email address and access to videos apps and intros, and royalty free high-resolution photos and a chance to pitch for cash in quarterly competitions.
WHERE?
ROBI is a fully virtual training program. Successful candidates are able to access the internet, have a basic level of technology capability, and can read and write at a 12th-grade level. Our training programs are robust enough to give you what you need and basic enough to not overwhelm you as you begin the journey of entrepreneurship. All ROBI courses are offered online through our e-learning COMMUNIVERSITY platform.
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Jarvis Tyrell Curry, Ph.D., J.D., is a business management and legal professor with over twenty years of leadership in the private sector and California state agencies. His novel research explores business strategy, digital platforms, financial literacy, neuromarketing, risk culture, and film economics. He believes in student-centered learning approaches and teaches analytics, finance, innovation, and strategy at the University of the Cumberlands, emphasizing student-centered instruction. His published work includes cybersecurity, human capital, fraud detection, and film studies. Outside academia, he enjoys traveling, sports, barbecuing, and swimming.
Caroline Batka, Ph.D.
FACULTY INFORMATION
Department(s)
Political Science and International Relations
Title(s)
Professor of Political Science and International Relations
OTHER INFORMATION
Biography
Dr. Caroline Batka is a senior military analyst at Comenius University and an adjunct Professor at Bay Atlantic University. Her current research focuses on hybrid warfare, nonstate actors in security and defense, and institutional change, and she has done extensive research on military programs and policy, and veterans’ health care and benefits. Dr. Batka is an experienced qualitative researcher, having conducted and analyzed hundreds of interviews with policymakers and practitioners on complex and sensitive topics.
Ecehan Genc Yildiz, Ph.D.
FACULTY INFORMATION
Department(s)
Political Science and International Relations
Title(s)
Professor of Political Science and International Relations
OTHER INFORMATION
Biography
Dr. Ecehan Genç Yıldız received her Ph.D. in Political Science and International Relations from Boğaziçi University. She earned her M.Sc. in Political Sociology from the London School of Economics as a Chevening Scholar and her B.Sc. from Bahcesehir University, where she graduated as Valedictorian. She has conducted research at Freedom House and Yale University and has more than 15 years of teaching experience in Political Science.
Zhouying He, Ph.D.
FACULTY INFORMATION
Department(s)
Information Sciences and Engineering
Title(s)
Professor of Information Sciences and Engineering
OTHER INFORMATION
Biography
Dr. Zhouying He is a data scientist and educator with over 10 years of industrial experience leveraging advanced machine learning, artificial intelligence, and data analytics to address complex challenges and deliver measurable business impact. Dr. He earned a Ph.D. in 2015 and has since worked across a broad range of industries. Expertise spans advanced machine learning algorithms, predictive modeling, and large language models (LLMs). As a faculty member, Dr. He is passionate about bringing real-world industry experience into the classroom to provide a dynamic, hands-on learning environment that prepares students to navigate today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape.
Micheline Al Harrack, Ph.D.
FACULTY INFORMATION
Department(s)
Information Sciences and Engineering
Title(s)
Professor of Information Sciences and Engineering
OTHER INFORMATION
Biography
Dr. Micheline Al Harrack holds a Doctorate in Cybersecurity, an MBA in Management and MSM in Project Management. Her areas of interest fall within the intersection of Machine Learning Applications, Data Mining, statistical Analysis, Linguistics, Data Analytics and Cybersecurity in addition to her expertise in taxation as an EA. She has been certified as a CyberOps instructor. She presents and publishes her research in regional and national conferences with awards winnings in 2019, 2020 and 2021.
Emmanuel Segun, Ph.D.
FACULTY INFORMATION
Department(s)
Information Sciences and Engineering
Title(s)
Professor of Information Sciences and Engineering
OTHER INFORMATION
Biography
Dr. Emmanuel Segun is an Information Technology (IT) leader, educator, and mentor, with more than 25 years of experience supporting commercial and federal agencies in the area of IT contract program management. He serves as a professor of information systems and is ardent in promoting the study of data security and privacy. Dr. Segun earned his Doctor of Philosophy in Management and Master of Science in Information Systems and Telecommunications for Business. His research focus is in cybersecurity and the protection of users’ privacy. His expertise is in security controls and Information Technology and Infrastructure Library (ITIL).
Tsige Tessema, Ph.D.
FACULTY INFORMATION
Department(s)
Information Sciences and Engineering
Title(s)
Professor of Information Sciences and Engineering
OTHER INFORMATION
Biography
Dr. Tsige Tessema is a network and cybersecurity operations leader, educator, researcher, and strategic advisor with over a decade of experience across government, academia, and industry. She supports Network and cybersecurity operations for the U.S. Department of State, serves as Founder and Strategic Advisor of TTechnos LLC, and founded Raeye Children Aid to expand educational and technology opportunities for underserved communities. As an Adjunct Professor at Bay Atlantic University, she advances experiential learning and workforce readiness. Based on her doctoral research, she proposed and is leading the development of the CyberEdge Innovation Hub (CEIH), providing hands-on education in networking, cybersecurity operations, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and cyber defense.
JC Martin Castro
FACULTY INFORMATION
Department(s)
Information Sciences and Engineering
Title(s)
Professor of Information Sciences and Engineering
OTHER INFORMATION
Biography
JC Martin Castro is a cybersecurity professional, educator, consultant, and Vice President of Bear Tree Security Inc. with over 10 years of experience in the technology industry. He provides cybersecurity consulting services to both private sector organizations and government agencies. JC Martin holds a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of the District of Columbia and a Master of Engineering in Cybersecurity from the University of Maryland. His areas of expertise include cybersecurity, data science, STEM education, and technology innovation. Passionate about mentoring and community engagement, JC Martin is dedicated to developing future technology leaders.
Divine Kangami, Ph.D.
FACULTY INFORMATION
Department(s)
Business and Economics
Title(s)
Professor of Economics
OTHER INFORMATION
Biography
Dr. Divine Kangami is an educator, economist, and researcher with expertise in economics, quantitative analysis, statistics, and mathematics. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of the Witwatersrand, a master’s in economics from the University of the Western Cape, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning from Glasgow Caledonian University. His interests include applied economics, economic development, data analysis, financial systems, and educational technology. He is committed to student-centered learning, research, curriculum development, and mentoring that strengthens critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Jason Hutchison
FACULTY INFORMATION
Department(s)
Political Science and International Relations
Title(s)
Professor of Political Science and International Relations
OTHER INFORMATION
Biography
Jason Ray Hutchison is a geopolitical advisor, former U.S. diplomat, and university professor with nearly 20 years of experience across diplomacy, consulting, and international affairs. During his Foreign Service career, he worked on NATO negotiations, humanitarian response, and post-conflict stabilization. He currently leads consulting services at Precision Talent Solutions and teaches political science and international relations at Bay Atlantic University, where he uses case studies, simulations, and applied tradecraft to connect theory with practice.
Zelalem Mengistu, Ph.D.
FACULTY INFORMATION
Department(s)
Information Sciences and Engineering
Title(s)
Professor of Information Sciences and Engineering
OTHER INFORMATION
Biography
Dr. Zelalem Mengistu is a cybersecurity leader, educator, and practitioner, with more than 20 years of experience supporting federal agencies and global initiatives. He serves as a professor of cybersecurity and is passionate about advancing cybersecurity education and workforce development. Dr. Mengistu is the recipient of BAUs Faculty of the Year Award twice — in 2024 and 2026. His expertise includes Cloud Security, AI security, Threat Hunting, Security Architecture, Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC), and emerging technologies.
Pipop Nuangpookka, Ph.D.
FACULTY INFORMATION
Department(s)
Information Sciences and Engineering
Title(s)
Department Chair
OTHER INFORMATION
Biography
Dr. Pipop Nuangpookka has been in the information technology industry since 2005, focusing on software engineering in network infrastructure and security. He started teaching Computer Science courses in Northern Virginia and Washington, DC, in 2007. Dr. Pipop earned his Doctor of Science in Cybersecurity and Master of Science in Computer Science with a specialty in Software Engineering. His research interests are in Personally Identifiable Information (PII) Security Controls, Non-Destructive Methods for Detecting Hardware Attacks, Web Server Protection, and Bilingual Translator Programming.
