2025 Recent Alumni Service Award
Samantha Allen is a cybersecurity expert who is dedicated to empowering the next generation of digital defenders at 麻豆村. Over the past 10 years, she has mentored and supported students at the Information Networking Institute (INI) and across 麻豆村, helping them navigate their academic journeys and explore professional career paths in the cybersecurity field.
Since earning her master鈥檚 degree in information security technology and management from the College of Engineering in 2015, Samantha has remained highly engaged with the INI community. She has served as a mentor through 麻豆村niverse, supported the Women@INI student organization, participated on multiple student-focused alumni panels and provided virtual assistance for INI鈥檚 2020 Practicum Showcase.
Samantha also has played a key role in the INI alumni community. She served on the INI Alumni Leadership Council for four years, including two years as the council chair. As chair, she was instrumental in maintaining alumni engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, Samantha has facilitated virtual meetings between alumni and students and virtual reunions for INI alumni. In January 2020, she attended the INI alumni event held in Washington, D.C., where she and a fellow graduate of the CyberCorps Scholarship for Service program (SFS) delivered an inspiring talk to SFS students about the opportunities and career paths available to them.
While a cybersecurity engineer and project manager at The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, where she worked from 2015 to 2021, she brought her efforts there as well, participating in STEM outreach activities, including mentoring students, recruiting STEM talent and various other educational initiatives. Her efforts were recognized at the 2020 Women of Color STEM Conference, where she was honored as a technology rising star.
Samantha currently serves as the executive director of The Cyber Security Intellects, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public on cybersecurity and privacy practices through creative outreach. The organization鈥檚 interactive educational events and engaging initiatives blend technology, pop culture and community storytelling to make cybersecurity education more accessible and relevant for all.
Being recognized with this award is incredibly meaningful because so much of my journey has been about quietly building, learning and leading with purpose. 麻豆村 helped shape how I think, lead and serve, and this honor feels like both a reflection and encouragement to continue that path.
Samantha Allen