Cybersecurity Internships Available through the VIVID Coalition – deadline to apply is August 25th

CAE in Cybersecurity Community
The Virtual Internship and Varied Innovative Demonstrations (VIVID) Coalition comprised of the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Augusta University, University of Arizona, and Florida International University has internship opportunities available for college undergraduates.

Objective
The virtual internships will be offered to address the problem of helping students translate academic learning to cybersecurity practice and competency in a work role or job as well as the opportunity to earn as they learn.

Important Information
– Interns will work 20 hours per week for 8 weeks at $18.00 per hour
– Internship is 30 Sep – 22 Nov, 2024
– Remote Work
– Minimum grade point average of 3.0
– Must have completed at least one year toward a cybersecurity-related academic program
– Must be a U.S. citizen
– Selectees will be notified by 6 September 2024

Application Deadline is August 25th, 2024. Apply Now!

Application Form

Workstudy Position Available in Data and Analytics

RMU has posted a workstudy position (graduate student is preferred) in the area of data and analytics. This position is for the Fall 2024 semester. If you are interested, please see the job posting for additional information:

https://careers.pageuppeople.com/856/ci/en-us/job/498061/university-data-and-analytics-workstudy

Highlights from the AWS DeepRacer Competition

We had an amazing time with our AWS DeepRacer Competition this semester! A big thank you to Amazon for partnering with us. Providing our students with hands-on experiences in AI and machine learning is truly invaluable. Check out the highlights from the competition here:

CIS Students Medal in National Cyber League

Several CIS students achieved medals in the National Cyber League (NCL) Spring 2024 season based on their individual and team performance.

Rob Pava, Diamond Medalist
Steven Zalenski and Reese Martin, Platinum Medalists
James Bonacci, Gold Medalist
Peyton Lutchkus, Jerry Cook and Darren Gray, Silver Medalists

Congratulations to all!

Dr. Ping Wang Receives ITNG 2024 Award

Congratulations to Dr. Ping Wang, who is the recipient of the Distinguished Service in Research and Mentorship Award from the 21st International Conference on Information Technology: New Generations (ITNG 2024).

Dr. Wang also served on the program committee for ITNG 2024 and organized the Cybersecurity track for the conference.

2024 Center for Global Engagement Awards

The 2024 Global Engagement Awards were presented on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 from the Center for Global Engagement. This year, three of the award recipients were from our school!

Lavanya Kusampudi (pictured left with Dr. Sushil Acharya) was the recipient of the 2024 International Student Global Engagement Award. Lavanya is a student in the MS Data Analytics program, and will be graduating this month. Congratulations, Lavanya, on this excellent achievement!

Congratulations to Michelle Yamada who won Staff Member of the Year (pictured left with Provost Zimmer) for her work in advising international graduate students, and her overall support of international students in CIS programs. Thank you for your hard work!

And finally, another round of congratulations to Dr. Sushma Mishra (pictured below with Provost Zimmer) who won Faculty Member of the Year for her efforts in teaching and advising international students in the CIS department. In addition, Dr. Mishra is the faculty advisor for the Indian Student Club at RMU. Thank you Dr. Mishra for all of your support for international students and global perspectives!

The Global Engagement Awards are designed to recognize globally engaged students, faculty, and staff members who have made significant contributions towards continued growth and sustainability of the university’s core value of a global perspective. Nominees are judged based on their contributions to internationally focused campus programming, research/teaching, or program development that promote(s) cultural understanding and/or a global perspective on the RMU campus.

Reese Martin and Robby Pava Present Research at the NESDI Conference

Two NSF Scholarship for Service (NSF-SFS) students, Reese Martin and Robby Pava, presented their research project at the NEDSI conference this month. The Northeast Decision Sciences Institute (NEDSI) is one of five regions in the Americas Division of the professional society, the Decision Sciences Institute. This region encompasses the Northeastern United States. NEDSI holds an annual regional meeting each spring.

Their paper was presented in poster format and was titled, “Comparing Machine Learning Algorithms in the Context of Antiviruses: A Content Analysis of Decision Tree, Support Vector Machines and Neural Networks Research.” Authors were Reese Martin, Robby Pava, and Dr. Sushma Mishra (advisor).

Their paper presents a comparative study of three major machine learning algorithms and the impact they can have on antivirus detection and response. The three algorithms reviewed in this study were decision trees, support vector machines, and neural networks. They analyzed how these ML approaches effectively impact antivirus’s ability to locate and adequately block incoming malware. Implications are drawn, and future research directions are discussed.

Update: This poster won Second Place in the Undergraduate Poster Award competition at the Northeast Decision Sciences Institute (NEDSI) Conference.

Congratulations on this accomplishment!

Call for Applications – Dean’s Scholarships in Media Innovation

Are you a student interested in using innovative media tools to realize your personal or professional objectives? Do you want to take your content, experience design, leadership, strategic communication or technology skills to the next level? Robert Morris University’ s Academic Media Center would like to invite you to apply for a student media experience scholarship. Join one or more of our innovative campus media programs, imagine new ways of sharing your story, and help make media learning experiences more accessible to learners across our community.

The 8 student media innovation scholarships are intended for students who desire to be:
> Change makers in the media environments that shape how we live, work and play
> Leaders in shaping the tools we use to make, distribute and consume the arts, news, information, and stories
> Both mentors and mentees working with others to imagine an ever more vibrant, dynamic and inclusive media environment.

The scholarships include:
> $1000.00 tuition scholarship for one academic year.
> Professional mentorship and coaching.
> Skills workshops, competitions, screenings and exhibitions.
> Access to the AMC studios and labs.
> Support in devising, completing and documenting a project in their chosen area of media – to be shared with the campus community: Advertising and Public Relations, Film and TV, Experience Design, Game Design, Graphic Design, Journalism (Entertainment, News and Sports), Media Leadership, Media Technology, Photography, Podcasting, and Social Media.

Application Components:
Personal Statement (300 words)
Resume (including 2 academic, personal or professional references)
Sample of audio, written, or visual media work (up to 100mb)

Applications are due August 5, 2024. For more information see:
https://www.rmu.edu/about/amc/scholarships

We look forward to reviewing your application! If short-listed, you will be contacted for an interview during the AMC Retreat in August. If you have any questions, please email Dr. Timothy Jones at jonest@rmu.edu. Thank you!

2024 Student Recognition Awards

This month, SIHSS held the annual Student Recognition Awards ceremony. A number of students in the CIS department were honored at this ceremony with award, including:

Dean’s Scholar Award
Austin Martin

School of Informatics, Humanities, and Social Sciences Endowment Award
Kelson Bowman

Outstanding Student in Computer Information Systems Award
William Challingsworth

Outstanding Student in Cybersecurity Award
Evan Brooks
Anthony Guerrero
Megan Ledgerwood
Austin Martin

Outstanding Student in Data Analytics Award
Joshua Knapp

Outstanding Graduate Student in Computer Information Systems Award
Allena Carmody
Austin Martin
Alexander Morrison

Congratulations to all of these students on their excellent academic achievements!

Alpha Iota Mu Inducts 2024 Class

The Alpha Iota Mu honor society inducted its newest members for 2024 this past weekend. The induction ceremony was held in the Wheatley Center on Sunday, April 21, 2024. Dr. G. Alan Davis, advisor for the honor society, presided over the ceremony. Alpha Iota Mu is the honor society specifically for Information Systems majors and minors who meet a high level GPA requirement, in the top 10% of their class.

Three Professors Emeriti participated in the ceremony, Dr. David Wood, Dr. Robert Skovira, and Dr. Paul Kovacs, to help welcome the newest members of the chapter. The guest speaker for the event was Dr. Parul Yadav, Rooney Scholar, who was also inducted as an honorary member.

Twenty students were honored at the event, including:

Sai Kiran Yadav Battula
Cyrus Bruce
William Challingsworth
Warren Corbett
Shawn Donnelly
Ivan Stephen D’Souza
Catherine Allgeier Eck
Colin Glynn
Curtis M. Haschak
Emily Grace Kerry
Lavanya Kusampudi
Brian Muchwing’i Makhulo
Reese Martin
Rylie Milanovich
Jesse Powers
Olivia Schultheis
Jasmine Arabasomua Thompson
Liji Varghese
Xinh Vu

Congratulations to all of the new members of Alpha Iota Mu! They will be wearing their white and blue honor cords at graduation with pride.