2025 SFS Events Archive

2025 SFS Events Archive

 

Grace Hopper Celebration (GHC) 

November 4-7, 2025

In 2025, three SFS scholars (Isha, Haley, and Sage) attended the Grace Hopper Celebration in Chicago, the largest conference for women in technology. This three-day conference featured keynote speakers, technical workshops, panels, and networking events that provided valuable exposure to industry leaders and career opportunities in technology and cybersecurity.

Our scholars participated in hands-on workshops, listened to inspiring talks from technology leaders, and engaged in networking events connecting them with professionals and peers from across the technology industry. The conference provided opportunities to explore emerging technologies, participate in technical sessions, and learn from the experiences of successful women in computing fields.

For our SFS scholars, attending Grace Hopper Celebration reinforced the importance of diversity in technology fields and provided valuable insights into career pathways in cybersecurity. The experience equipped them with broader perspectives on how their skills can be applied while maintaining their commitment to public service careers in government cybersecurity.

CCSC Conference

October 24, 2025

In October 2025, six SFS scholars attended the Consortium for Computing Sciences in Colleges (CCSC) Conference, showcasing the program's commitment to academic excellence and competitive achievement. The scholars presented their research paper and demonstrated their technical skills by winning 3rd place in the Capture the Flag (CTF) competition. The event highlighted the depth of cybersecurity knowledge and problem-solving abilities our scholars have developed through the SFS program.

A significant achievement came when Sage Despeignes and Titorian, working alongside Dr. Trivedi, received the Best Honorable Mention for their student poster presentation. This recognition reflects the quality of research happening within the Bowie State University SFS program and the collaborative relationship between scholars and faculty mentors. The conference provided valuable opportunities for our scholars to engage with the broader computing sciences community, share their work, and gain recognition for their contributions to cybersecurity research and practice.

Cyber Day

October 23, 2025

Five scholars attended and presented their posters.

BSU Career Fair

October 22, 2025

All scholars attended.

 

Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) Conference

April 2-5, 2025

In April 2025, SFS scholars Sage Despeignes and Haley Reyes attended WiCyS 2025 in Dallas, Texas, one of the premier conferences supporting women in cybersecurity. Across four days of  keynotes, workshops, and interactive sessions, one theme stood out: the power of sharing  stories. Personal accounts of challenges, triumphs, and career journeys created a space where  they felt connected and inspired, reminding them how essential it is to hear from others who  have walked paths they aspire to follow.At the conference, Sage and Haley explored areas from governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) to security operations. They tested their skills through an industrial control systems escape room and a Capture the Flag competition, while deepening their understanding of critical infrastructure security. Beyond sessions, they volunteered with the WiCyS team and reconnected with student chapters that first sparked their interest in cybersecurity. Engaging with students, faculty, and professionals reaffirmed the collaborative and uplifting spirit of the WiCyS community.Attending WiCyS 2025 reminded our scholars that this organization is more than a conference. It is a supportive, judgment-free space where women learn, grow, and empower one another. Our SFS scholars look forward to continuing to contribute to this community and helping shape the future of cybersecurity together.

CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service (SFS) Job Fair

January 7-9th

Bowie State University (BSU) CyberCorps Scholarship for Service (SFS) scholars proudly participated in the 2025 SFS Job Fair, held from January 7-9 in Washington, D.C. This highly anticipated event brought together scholars, educators, and federal agency representatives to facilitate networking, career opportunities, and collaboration in cybersecurity. Despite facing challenging weather conditions, all 11 BSU scholars attended the event, accompanied by Principal Investigator (PI) and Department Chair Dr. Shumba, as well as the SFS Program Coordinator, demonstrating their commitment to the program and their future careers in cybersecurity. 

At the job fair, our scholars actively engaged with representatives from numerous federal agencies, learning about available positions, discussing their qualifications, and submitting applications for internships and full-time roles. This interaction provided invaluable real-world experience and direct access to opportunities within federal cybersecurity initiatives. The job fair proved to be a significant steppingstone for our students, helping them connect with potential employers who value the skills and knowledge they bring from their SFS training. 

One highlight of the event was a panel discussion featuring Dr. Shumba and one of our scholars, Jared, who shared insights into the BSU SFS program and its success in preparing students for critical roles in cybersecurity. Their contributions underscored the strength and impact of BSU’s program while fostering greater recognition of the university’s commitment to producing top-tier cybersecurity professionals. 

Beyond the job fair, the event included several PI briefing sessions designed for Principal Investigators from various institutions to exchange ideas, strategies, and best practices for managing and expanding the SFS program. These sessions facilitated meaningful dialogue about program sustainability, innovative recruitment strategies, and ways to enhance the educational and professional experiences of scholars. They also served as a platform to discuss common challenges and collaborative solutions for advancing the mission of the SFS program nationally. 

Overall, the event was a tremendous success, providing BSU scholars with a wealth of opportunities to advance their careers while showcasing the university’s leadership in cybersecurity education and workforce development. This experience not only strengthened the scholars’ professional growth but also reaffirmed BSU’s standing as a pivotal contributor to the cybersecurity talent pipeline.