Dantzler to receive Distinguished Alumni Award

The Distinguished Alumni Award is presented to CSC graduates who demonstrate exceptional service to the college or distinguish themselves in their career or community through volunteer efforts.

Dantzler graduated from CSC with a Bachelor of Science in Business Education in 1987. She began her teaching career in 1989 at Big Horn High School, Big Horn, Wyoming teaching business and coaching track. In 1991, she took a position overseas in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba with the Department of Defense Dependent Schools teaching high school business and computer classes and coaching volleyball. During that time, she completed a Master of Education in Educational Media and Computers from Arizona State University.

In 1995, she transferred to Panama City, Panama and taught computer classes for one year at Balboa High School, she was later promoted to be the School Site Computer Coordinator at Howard and Kobbe Elementary Schools. In 1997, Stephanie moved to Miami, Florida and transitioned from teacher to Department of Defense Contractor. She spent five years working at U.S. Southern Command as a system administrator, webmaster and Information Assurance policy analyst.

In 2002, she moved to the Middle East, working for the Department of Defense Information System Agency supporting US. Central Command Theater Command, Control, and Communications in Manama, Bahrain. In 2004, she took a position in Stuttgart, Germany and spent ten years working as a Computer Network Defense Analyst, Chief of Cyber Defense, Policy, Strategy and Engagement and the Chief of International Cyber Engagement. In 2006, she completed her second Master's Degree in Information Assurance and Computer Network Defense from Capitol College. In 2007, she transitioned from DoD Contractor to Government Service Civilian as a GS-14.

In 2014, Dantzler moved back to the US to join the Defense Human Resource Activity organization in Alexandria, Virginia, as the Chief, Cybersecurity Compliance Branch with the Defense Civilian Personnel Advisory Service. She also served as the acting Chief of the Governance and Compliance Division before becoming the Information Systems Security Officer for the Defense Manpower Data Center.

Dantzler was accepted into the DoD Senior Leadership Development Program in 2017. During that time, she attended the U.S. Naval War College and received her third Master's Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. She also spent a year on an experiential assignment with the United States Department of Agriculture and served as a Policy Analyst for the Office of Homeland Security, National Policy Division in Washington, D.C. In June 2019, she was promoted to a GS-15 civilian with the United States Air Force and hired as the Deputy Director of the Cyberspace Operations Integrated Planning Element supporting European Command in Stuttgart, Germany.

Throughout her civilian career, Dantzler has received several significant awards, including the Joint Civilian Service Achievement and Commendation awards and the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Patriot Award. She has also produced various publications for U.S. European Command on the topics of cyber defense and engagement.

Dantzler is the deputy chair and board member of the Stuttgart Women’s Mentorship Program, a member of the European Command Diversity, Equity and Inclusion working group, and a mentor for the Girls Security mentorship program. She is also a Distinguished Toastmaster.

She is a native of Chadron, Nebraska, married to Damon Dantzler and has two adult children, Saffron and Darius.

—Abigail Swanson, College Relations