URI Cyber Scholars

University of Rhode Island Cyber Scholars!

Meet the graduating CyberCorps®: Scholarship for Service (SFS) students of 2025! These scholars have dedicated themselves to advancing cybersecurity and public serivce, representing the next generation of cyber professionals committed to protecting and serving the nation. Each student has completed service hours, held leadership roles on the executive boards of relevant student organizations and competed -and placed well- in some of the most prestigious cybersecurity competitions this nation has to offer!

Ayomide Oladele

Ayomide recently graduated with a Master's degree in Cybersecurity, building on a Computer Science background and a strong focus on offensive and defensive security. Their experience includes formal cryptographic protocol analysis, digital forensics, and research into quantum-resistant key management. They have participated in cybersecurity competitions like the National Cyber League (NCL) and CyberForce, applying skills in OSINT, threat detection, and incident response. Ayomide has also contributed to AI-based cybersecurity education tools and conducted hands-on analysis using tools such as Security Onion and FTK Imager.

They currently hold the CompTIA Security+ and ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) certifications and are actively preparing for the CompTIA Network+ and CySA+ exams, with a growing interest in network penetration testing. Ayomide is seeking opportunities to contribute to real-world security operations and continue expanding their skill set in both proactive defense and ethical hacking.

Ian Mease

Ian Mease has worked a wide variety of jobs, from commercial fisherman out at sea for 7-10 days at time, to landscaping, construction, and chef. He has wide variety of experience in Governance, Risk, and Compliance both as a regulator with the FDIC for a summer internship and working to get compliant as a Compliance Officer at a small marketing firm called Savvy Dealer. Additionally he has experience in data analytics and creating data pipelines with his work with the Office of Personnel Management and also with Savvy Dealer.

Ian has a bachelors degree from Brigham Young University Idaho in Computer Science and has just graduated with a Professional Master's of Science in Cyber Security from the University of Rhode Island. He is interested in continuing to work in GRC due to his experience and interest in the regulatory world.

Nathan Tran

Nathyn Tran is a recent graduate of the University of Rhode Island, where he earned both a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a Professional Science Master's degree in Cyber Security. Throughout his academic journey, he gained hands-on experience researching the impact of artificial intelligence in computer science education and actively participated in cybersecurity competitions with his peers. Nathyn recently began his professional career as a Cyber Systems Engineer at Northrop Grumman.

Nicholas Mendes

Nicholas Mendes is a recent Cyber Security graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Rhode Island. He has a background in software development, including an internship as an automation developer for the Defense Information Systems Agency. In his free time, he has been exploring how to securely deploy applications to both local Linux servers and Google Cloud Platform. He has also been teaching himself how to utilize containerization technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes and automation tools like Ansible. His interests lie at the intersection of secure software deployment, system automation, and cloud infrastructure

Sydney Yoder

Sydney Yoder is a mission-driven cybersecurity professional entering the field with a strong academic, athletic, and leadership foundation. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Management Information Systems with a certificate in Applied Data Analytics from East Carolina University, where she played Division I softball for four years before completing her fifth and final year at the University of Rhode Island. She recently completed her Master's degree in Cybersecurity at URI as a CyberCorps®: Scholarship for Service recipient.

Sydney interned with the Naval Supply Systems Command Business Systems Center (NAVSUP BSC), where she worked as a systems analyst supporting secure application development, facilitating communication between developers and stakeholders, and applying Agile methodology to align technical solutions with mission requirements. Her professional interests center on cybersecurity governance, regulatory compliance, and enterprise risk management, with practical experience in STIG assessments, Section 508 accessibility compliance, and the NIST Risk Management Framework.

As Co-Founder and President of the URI Cybersecurity Club, she led the executive board, worked alongside faculty to drive strategic initiatives, and helped establish the club as a competitive and collaborative force in national cyber events. She created a hands-on, growth-focused environment by organizing technical competitions, managing member engagement, and building professional connections through industry outreach. Sydney approaches her work with a service-first mindset and sees a career in the U.S. government as her purpose, protecting national interests through meaningful cybersecurity work.