DSU students chosen as RSAC Security Scholars
April 15, 2025
Bella Maxwell and Mikaila Fluth are no strangers to large, national conferences, but they have never attended one like the RSA Conference.
This annual event brings together the world’s cybersecurity professionals to discuss current and future concerns in the industry. It typically attracts over 40,000 people, including 650 speakers, 600 exhibitors, and 400 media members.
The two will be attending the April event as RSAC™ Security Scholars. They were nominated for this by Dr. Ashley Podhradsky, vice president for Research & Economic Development.
“This is such an honor,” said Maxwell, who admits it feels a little unreal. “The fact that she trusts to represent DSU is a huge honor,” she added.
“Bella and Mikaila are representing DSU as RSAC Scholars, joining an elite group of future cybersecurity leaders,” said Podhradsky. “Their selection highlights not only their individual dedication and talent but also DSU’s commitment to excellence in cybersecurity education.”
The RSAC Security Scholar program nurtures the professional growth of 60 select undergraduate, master's, and Ph.D. students by providing the opportunity to network with industry thought leaders, and gain insights on global trends, ground-breaking solutions, and next-era strategies. By bringing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals to the conversation, they can share the knowledge, experience, and connections available at the conference.
Fluth and Maxwell hope to bring back information and ideas from the conference, particularly new, hands-on activities the pair can use in classes, or share with clubs and implement at CybHER® outreach events.
“I’m looking forward to learning as much as I can,” said Maxwell, who is a cyber operations major from Madison, S.D. Fluth is a computer science and cyber operations double major from Crooks, S.D.
Podhradsky said, “We are incredibly proud of their achievements and look forward to the impact they will make in the field.”
She added special thanks to Cecilia Mariner, the cybersecurity advisor of the Innovation & Scholars program at RSA, for her support in making this opportunity possible.
Also attending RSAC is DSU senior Gwen Vongkasemsiri. She is a member of the U.S. Women’s Cyber team, which is hosting a Learn-to-Play, Play-to-Learn Capture the Flag (CTF) event at the conference. The purpose of this event is to demonstrate the value of cyber games, and how CTFs can transform careers.