Events
GPI-BAU Talk Series: Beyond the University
On Thursday, April 17, 2025, at 6:00 PM (EST) the Global Policy Institute (GPI) and Bay Atlantic University (BAU) held a talk titled “Beyond the University” via Zoom and in-person at BAU.
Speaker
Dr. Christopher R. Sokol currently serves as Director of Programs at Frequentis USA, a leading global provider of communications systems for air traffic control, supporting operations in over 130 countries.
Dr. Sokol previously held a federal position at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a Portfolio Program Manager within the Command and Control Communications (C3) Division (AXE-400) under the Office of National Security Programs and Incident Response (AXE). In that role, he oversaw the Satellite Communications (SATCOM) and Very High Frequency (VHF) systems.
With nearly three decades of experience in telecommunications and the management of critical communications infrastructure, Dr. Sokol has served in various capacities—active-duty Army, contractor, and federal civilian—with organizations such as the Army Space and Missile Defense Command (Fort Meade, Landstuhl Germany, Wheeler Army Airfield Hawaii), United States Strategic Command (Omaha, NE), the Joint Staff J6 (Pentagon), and the FAA (Washington, DC). At the FAA, he managed a portfolio of 36 programs with a combined budget of $300 million.
Dr. Sokol has extensive experience in sensitive and complex acquisitions, crisis coordination, and innovation in dynamic environments. Much of his work has involved international collaboration under formal agreements with allied nations and organizations such as NATO, providing him with a deep understanding of global communications challenges.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems with a Certificate in Project Management from the University of Maryland, a Master of Aeronautical Science in Space Studies from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and a Doctor of Science in Cybersecurity from Marymount University, where his dissertation focused on biometric security.
Moderator
Gregory Ching-Fai Liu is the Director of Distance Education at Bay Atlantic University and serves as an instructor in Information Technology and Cybersecurity. He holds a Master of Science in Information Technology and a Master of Science in Cybersecurity from Marymount University. He is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Information Technology, further deepening his expertise in the field.
With extensive experience in IT and cybersecurity, Gregory brings both academic and practical knowledge to his teaching. His focus includes Information Security Management and its broader applications within the cybersecurity landscape. Outside of his professional pursuits, he enjoys reading and staying active through sports, both as a player and a fan.
