Ms. Kayla Tatum (‘07) earned her undergrad here on the Hill and has since followed her calling through a variety of successful paths, ranging from mission work to military, Intelligence, defense, and cybersecurity. Ms. Tatum currently serves as Director of Engineering at Dragos, an industrial cybersecurity company that specializes in protecting the world's most critical infrastructure and operational technology environments. Kayla is also the proud mom to her ten-year-old daughter.
Read along, and hear more of Kayla’s testimony, journey to ETBU, and life after graduation.
My life’s journey has been anything but linear, but at every turn, it has been driven by a deep sense of calling, service, and a commitment to steward the gifts God has given me, both in my work and my family—and especially as a mother.
My professional life after college began overseas, where I served as a missionary in China and the Middle East. Those years were rich and formative. Immersed in unfamiliar cultures, I developed a deep love for languages and a curiosity for perspectives far beyond my own. I didn’t just share the gospel—I listened, learned, and lived alongside people who shaped my understanding of humanity, faith, and global community. That same passion for language and culture led me to the U.S. Air Force, where I attended the Defense Language Institute to master Mandarin Chinese. I served in the Intelligence Community as a cryptologic language analyst, applying my training to protect and serve on a global scale. It was in the precision and intensity of that work that I began to see how vocation, whatever the form, can be a vessel for ministry. After my time in the military, I transitioned to Lockheed Martin, where I stepped into executive engineering leadership. It was there that I discovered a new gift: the ability to quickly form and lead teams, to build organizational momentum from the ground up, and to foster unity around complex missions. I found joy in unlocking the potential of people and processes, creating space for others to thrive while driving innovation. That passion continues today in my current role as Director of Engineering at Dragos. Our mission is bold: to safeguard civilization. We protect critical infrastructure—like clean water, electricity, and energy—from cyber threats that could disrupt the lives of millions. This isn’t just tech work. It’s stewardship. It’s protecting the systems that future generations will rely on. Through it all—missions, military, engineering, and now cybersecurity—my work has always been an extension of ministry. But of all the titles I’ve held, the one that carries the most eternal weight is “Mom.” To me, being a parent is more than a season—it’s a sacred calling and the reason I strive to live my life with purpose, conviction, and unwavering faith. We are raising the next generation of faith, and that is the most meaningful ministry I will ever be entrusted with. While most of my peers were finishing high school, I felt God calling me to take a bold step—starting college a year early. I didn’t take that decision lightly, especially as the first person in my family, in any generation, to attend college. As I began my search, I wanted a place that would challenge me academically and strengthen my walk with Christ. I wasn’t just looking for a place to earn a degree—I was seeking a place where my faith could thrive, where my relationship with Jesus could deepen, and where I could challenge myself to grow beyond the limits of my perspective. That search led me to East
Texas Baptist University. From the first time I visited the campus, I could sense something different. East Texas Baptist University stood out because it shared my values. It offered more than academics; it offered a Christ-centered community where faith is lived out daily. I knew I needed a place that would support my spiritual journey while also challenging me to see the world through a lens broader than my own. My relationship with Jesus has always been the compass guiding my decisions, and I wanted to be surrounded by a community that not only respected that but encouraged it. ETBU does just that. The university fosters an environment where spiritual growth is woven into academic life, service, and everyday conversation. I chose ETBU because I was also hungry for perspective—to see the world through eyes other than my own. I believe that true growth happens when we step outside of our comfort zones, and I wanted to be part of a community that reflected a broad tapestry of experiences, all anchored in a shared love for Christ. Choosing ETBU wasn’t just about college. It was about calling. It was about becoming the person God created me to be—rooted in truth, open to growth, and ready to serve. One of the most influential people in my journey was Dr. Allan Thompson, who led the Baptist Student Ministry. As a fellow deep thinker, I found myself regularly in Allan’s office, wrestling with big questions—faith, philosophy, theology, culture. I’d come in thinking I had it all figured out, and he’d wisely press back. He never gave me the answers; he taught me how to think critically and faithfully, and reminded me to love God with my heart and my mind. What’s most meaningful is that Allan didn’t stop mentoring me after I graduated. To this day, he remains a dear friend and spiritual mentor in my life. Choosing ETBU changed my life, but meeting people like Dr. Allan Thompson helped shape the kind of person I’m still becoming.
When I reflect on my four years as a student at East Texas Baptist University, the memories come in waves—laughter echoing through the Lineberry and Merle Bruce, deep late-night talks with my Resident Advisors about faith and purpose, and a sense of community that made even the hardest days feel lighter. There was something sacred about the closeness cultivated at ETBU. I also think about the rigorous coursework, and honestly, I’m deeply grateful for it. ETBU didn’t make it easy (we didn't have ChatGPT), and that was a gift! The academic challenges weren’t just about earning grades; they were about forming habits. The discipline required to balance classwork, chapel, ministry, and community life built a rhythm of intentional living that I still carry today. Early morning classes, long hours spent studying, and waiting tables in the evening to pay for my tuition weren’t just routines. They became spiritual disciplines.
Beyond the friendships and campus life, ETBU was where my faith took root in a deeper, more resilient way. After graduation, I had the opportunity to serve for several years as a full-time missionary in China and the Middle East. That preparation at ETBU proved invaluable. When I stepped into overseas missions, I realized how much ETBU had equipped me—not just theologically, but practically. The study habits, time management, and spiritual rhythms I developed in college helped me navigate the unpredictability and depth of cross-cultural ministry.
Later on, my vocation took a shift, never imagining that my next steps would take me into the military, intelligence community, and national defense, and eventually into the world of cybersecurity. But through every transition, one truth remained: my work is my ministry. Whether wearing the uniform, contributing to the F-35 program, or now serving as an engineering director in the world of cybersecurity, I’ve learned to see my vocation as a mission field. There is a calling in every season, and though the environments may change, the mission does not, and I am thankful ETBU prepared me for every leap of faith along the way. What ETBU gave me was not just a degree, but a worldview—a conviction that every season, every job, every opportunity is a platform to serve and glorify God. Today, I carry that conviction with me in boardrooms, project meetings, and engineering labs. My faith doesn’t sit on the sidelines—it walks with me into every challenge and every calling.