Computer Science major Sabrina Barrile ’26 founded a new student chapter of Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) at Arcadia University, which aims to increase representation and opportunity for women and underrepresented groups in the cybersecurity field. Associate Professor of Computer Science and Mathematics Dr. Vitaly Ford, who is also the global chapter coordinator for WiCyS, will serve as faculty advisor.

“As a Computer Science major, there are a lot of career paths to explore, and for a while, I wasn’t entirely sure which direction I wanted to take,” Barrile said. “Dr. Ford played a key role in inspiring me to pursue cybersecurity. He introduced me to Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS), and one of his former advisors is one of the organization’s founders.”

Ford emphasized the value that an organization like WiCyS brings to Arcadia.

“Organizations like WiCyS can play a transformative role at a smaller university like Arcadia by offering students early access to industry exposure, leadership opportunities, and a broader professional network,” Ford said. “The chapter provides a supportive community for all students from diverse backgrounds interested in learning about cybersecurity.”

WiCyS is a global nonprofit dedicated to the recruitment, retention, and advancement of women in cybersecurity. The Arcadia chapter will connect students to national events, mentorship programs, and career development resources.

“It’s so much more than just a simple professional organization. It’s a powerful, inclusive community,” Barrile said. “It gives underrepresented women in tech a platform to share their voices, ideas, and experiences while feeling truly seen, welcomed, and respected. It’s also a space where students, professionals, and really anyone with a passion for cybersecurity can connect, support one another, and grow together.”

The idea to start the chapter came during a meeting with Uljana Sejko, a cybersecurity professional at Cisco.

“I was feeling stagnant in my career, and I wasn’t sure what the next best steps were, so I came to her looking for some advice,” Barrile said. “Her story is very similar to mine, and we were talking about everything we have in common when WiCyS got brought up. She is very heavily involved with WiCyS, and she gave me the idea of starting a student chapter at Arcadia. It was one of those ‘how have I never thought of that?’ moments for me, and I am grateful she gave me the idea.”

Barrile is currently focused on building a strong foundation for the chapter. 

“I’m starting with gathering a passionate group of board members who share the same commitment to cyber as me,” she said. “I’m currently in the brainstorming phase, thinking about what kind of events, workshops, and outreach efforts we want to launch to create exciting and meaningful opportunities for students.

“My absolute #1 goal is to inspire students at Arcadia, especially the female computer science majors who may be feeling a little lost about which career path they want to go down,” she explained. “I want to spread the amazing work that every single person at WiCyS does, and create a community where people can help each other and create new connections!”

The chapter’s launch is expected to positively influence the broader Computer Science and Mathematics department at Arcadia. 

“At its core, WiCyS promotes diversity, collaboration, and interdisciplinary engagement,” explained Dr. Ford. “It encourages students to view cybersecurity not just as a mere techie field but as a foundational component of society living in a technological world. I hope that it will inspire curriculum development, speaker series, workshops, and events that benefit all Arcadia students and certainly foster an inclusive academic culture within our department.

“I love working with students and witnessing their growth into future leaders,” added Dr. Ford. “Being an advisor enables me to mentor the next generation of cyber-aware citizens and cybersecurity professionals. It offers an opportunity to help students become confident leaders while ensuring they feel seen and supported. It also keeps me attuned to the evolving perspectives and needs of my students, which in turn can inform how I teach and engage as a faculty member.”

Arcadia’s chapter of WiCyS is not limited to female students interested in cybersecurity but rather open to all students interested in any tech field. Those interested in joining should email Barrile at sbarrile@arcadia.edu or Dr. Ford at fordv@arcadia.edu.