Student Body President on Leadership, Cybersecurity, and Black History Month

Embry-Riddle Prescott’s Student Government Association (SGA) President Josh Limes has worn many hats during his academic career. A graduating senior in Cyber Intelligence & Security, the Tacoma, Wash. native offers his perspective on leadership, his career goals, and the importance of Black History Month.

Limes’ leadership resume is impressive. Prior to his role as SGA President, he served as President for the National Society of Black Engineering (NSBE), Vice President and Treasurer of the Black Student Alliance (BSA), Chapter Vice President of American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS) International, and Founding Member and Historian for Embry-Riddle’s Order of the Sword and Shield (OSS).

“To me, leadership is working alongside and enabling a group of people towards a common, shared goal,” said Limes.

Post-graduation, Limes plans on working as a software engineer for American Express focusing on database security. His longer-term professional aspiration is to focus on applying blockchain technology to aviation supply chains. “I chose the Cyber Intelligence & Security program because it was an interesting and growing field,” he said. “I love that I could combine my interest in computers with the ability to help and protect people.”

February is Black History Month—a federally recognized, annual celebration of achievements and a time for recognizing the significant roles that African Americans have played in shaping U.S. history.

“Black History Month is a time to reflect on where we started and how we have gotten where we are now,” said Limes, who attributes his leadership qualities to his father, a squadron commander and pilot in the U.S. Air Force. He adds that although we have come a long way, there is still a long way to go. “I think the most effective thing society can do, in general, is to better support students of color by educating themselves on what our experience is really like.”

“Josh is one of our best and brightest, an outstanding student leader,” said Dr. Melanie Wilson, Director of Embry-Riddle’s Women’s and Diversity Center. “And Black History Month gives us the opportunity to highlight his accomplishments as well as those of other black students on our campus.”

“I feel that I have accomplished almost everything I set out to do in my time here at Embry-Riddle,” added Limes. “Of course, there are aspects of my time here at Riddle I wish had gone differently-- but it’s all part of the learning experience.”

For more on Embry-Riddle’s Women’s & Diversity Center, go to: https://prescott.erau.edu/campus-life/women-diversity

For more on Embry-Riddle’s nationally recognized Department of Cyber Intelligence & Security, visit: https://prescott.erau.edu/college-security-intelligence/department-of-cyber-intelligence-and-security