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I made the decision to go to the University of New Haven when I was in middle school. Back then, I wanted to study forensic science. I first came to the University for a summer forensic science camp, and, even then, I loved the feeling of being on campus. I knew this is where I wanted to go to school.

I applied and was accepted into the University�Ӱ�ԭ��s forensic science program, and I began my first year in fall of 2014. Before long, I decided to switch my major to information technology with a concentration in network administration and security. Halfway through my first semester, the University introduced a cybersecurity program, which included classes in cyber forensic science and computer security, and I soon switched my major again.

After my sophomore year, I earned an IT internship with . Later, I started my first research project, titled �Ӱ�ԭ��A Survey on Smartphone Users�Ӱ�ԭ�� Security Choices, Awareness, and Education,�Ӱ�ԭ�� which was later published.

After graduating with my bachelor�Ӱ�ԭ��s degree in May 2018, I accepted an information security internship at . By the end of the summer, I was offered a full-time position. At the same time, I was offered a competitive graduate assistantship to return to the University of New Haven to pursue my master's degree in cybersecurity and networks. I ultimately decided to return to school to pursue my master�Ӱ�ԭ��s degree, and I am so glad I did.

"As a student, I enjoyed volunteering at a variety of events, including a program for Girl Scouts on campus during which we taught the girls about digital forensics and cybersecurity. Courtney Hassenfeldt �Ӱ�ԭ��18, �Ӱ�ԭ��20 M.S.

From day one as a graduate student, my adviser, Dr. Abe Baggili, challenged me, and I am grateful for the opportunities and that he took a chance on me. In addition to my work as a research assistant for Dr. Baggili and collecting digital artifacts for the University's , I served as a teaching assistant for the �Ӱ�ԭ��Intro to Cyber Forensic Science�Ӱ�ԭ�� and �Ӱ�ԭ��Small Scale Digital Forensics�Ӱ�ԭ�� classes.

My studies enabled me to attend multiple conferences, including the conference in Hartford, Conn., where Professor Liberty Page was a featured speaker. I also presented a poster at in Portland, Oregon. A month after that, I was in Canterbury in England at the , where I presented a paper I co-authored called �Ӱ�ԭ��Map My Murder: A Digital Forensic Study of Mobile Health and Fitness Applications.�Ӱ�ԭ�� I also went to , an information security conference, where I took part in a competition in which I finished in eighth place overall.

As a student, I enjoyed volunteering at a variety of events, including a program for Girl Scouts on campus during which we taught the girls about digital forensics and cybersecurity. I was thrilled to have been a part of a "Girls in STEM" (science, technology, engineering, and math) event for elementary school girls in which Professor Page and I taught the students about cryptography.

It was also amazing to help at the University�Ӱ�ԭ��s GenCyber Camp that was held over the summer.

"From day one as a graduate student, my adviser, Dr. Abe Baggili, challenged me, and I am grateful for the opportunities and that he took a chance on me."Courtney Hassenfeldt �Ӱ�ԭ��18, �Ӱ�ԭ��20 M.S.

With the help of Professor Page, I started a WiCys (Women In Cybersecurity) student chapter on campus. Our first event was extremely successful. More than two dozen students attended our �Ӱ�ԭ��snack & study�Ӱ�ԭ�� event, and some amazing teaching assistants, as well as Professor Page, came to help students study. I think this shows how supportive we all are of one another. WiCys is a great organization that also holds an annual conference, which Cinthya Grajeda Mendez �Ӱ�ԭ��17, �Ӱ�ԭ��20 M.S. and I received scholarships to attend.

Throughout my time at the University, I have been grateful for the assistance and guidance of my professors, as well as the University�Ӱ�ԭ��s staff members. Everyone is extremely helpful and dedicated to the students. The University fosters a great environment for learning and growth. When talking with other people at different schools, I quickly realized how unique the University of New Haven is, and I was happy to have been a part of of this community.

After completing a cybersecurity internship last summer at MITRE, a nonprofit that manages federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs) supporting several U.S. government agencies �Ӱ�ԭ�� including a national cybersecurity federally funded research and development center �Ӱ�ԭ�� and working part time for the organization during the fall semester while I completed my master�Ӱ�ԭ��s degree, I was offered a full-time position. In March, I will begin my role as a cybersecurity engineer with the organization.

I am excited for the future, and I know the University of New Haven has prepared me for success.