What Cyber and Information Security Graduate Students Gain<\/p>\n
Over the course of several weeks, graduate students in the St. John\u2019s University M.S. in Cyber and Information Security<\/a> dual modality graduate program\u2014accredited\/validated by Middle States, ABET (graduate level), and as a CAE\u2011NSA Program of Study (PoS)\u2014gained applied international research experience extending well beyond the classroom, including:<\/p>\n Multilingual cyber security research communication for global industry contexts\u00a0<\/p>\n Students developed the ability to communicate technical security findings, threat analyses, and mitigation recommendations across English, Spanish, and Portuguese\u2014an essential skill for cyber security research and coordination within multinational enterprises and global industry partners.<\/p>\n Applied collaboration in tri\u2011national, sector\u2011focused cyber research teams<\/p>\n Working in tri\u2011national teams, students examined how regional industry regulations, sector\u2011specific risk profiles, and governance frameworks influence cybersecurity decision\u2011making and operational resilience across international markets.<\/p>\n Hands\u2011on experience managing globally distributed industry research projects<\/p>\n Coordinating research activities across time zones, institutions, and professional expectations reflected the realities of conducting cybersecurity research within globally distributed industry environments, including vendor ecosystems and third\u2011party partnerships.<\/p>\n Sector\u2011driven cybersecurity research and threat analysis<\/p>\n Students applied threat modeling, incident analysis, and risk\u2011mitigation strategies to international case studies drawn from critical industry sectors, gaining insight into how cyber threats, defenses, and compliance requirements differ across jurisdictions and economic regions.<\/p>\n Together, this tri\u2011national GOLE\u2011RE experience demonstrates how virtual exchange can deliver rigorous, globally relevant cybersecurity education while preparing students for careers in an interconnected digital world.<\/p>\n Highlighting International Cyber Security Research Outcomes: Student Perspectives and Impact<\/p>\n Below, students in cybersecurity reflect on their participation in the 2025 GOLE\u2011RE initiative, Cyber in the Americas: South, Central, North\u2014a tri\u2011national, research\u2011driven collaboration uniting students and faculty from St. John\u2019s University<\/a> (United States), Pontif\u00edcia Universidade Cat\u00f3lica de Campinas (PUC\u2011Campinas), S\u00e3o Paulo, Brazil<\/a>, and Universidad Nacional Aut\u00f3noma de Honduras (UNAH), Tegucigalpa, Honduras<\/a>. Working in internationally distributed research teams, students engaged in applied cybersecurity analysis, addressed real\u2011world industry and financial\u2011sector challenges, and navigated the technical, operational, and cultural complexities inherent to global cyber research. Their reflections highlight how cross\u2011border collaboration strengthened their research skills, expanded their understanding of international threat landscapes, and prepared them to operate as globally informed cybersecurity professionals.<\/p>\n Cassey Burrell (M.S. Cyber and Information Security, St. John\u2019s University)<\/p>\n \u201cDuring this year\u2019s capstone class, we were presented with an opportunity to participate in the Americas Virtual Exchange program, collaborating with cybersecurity students in Brazil and Honduras. We analyzed a data breach involving Brazil\u2019s real-time payment system, PIX, and worked together to identify vulnerabilities and propose mitigation strategies.<\/p>\n While I initially expected communication to be difficult due to time zones and language differences, it turned out to be no issue at all. Our team communicated effectively, often switching between Spanish and Portuguese to support one another. This experience was fulfilling and provided the opportunity to meet cybersecurity students across Central and South America while learning about international security frameworks.\u201d<\/p>\n Vinicius Pereira De Castro (Pontif\u00edcia Universidade Cat\u00f3lica de Campinas (PUC\u2011Campinas), S\u00e3o Paulo, Brazil)<\/p>\n \u201cThis experience was unique because it was my first time working on an academic project with international students. Balancing academic and personal commitments was challenging, but our team succeeded.<\/p>\n The biggest challenges for me were language barriers and time zone differences. Still, everyone made an effort to communicate clearly and support one another. WhatsApp was our primary tool for staying connected, alongside Microsoft Teams for meetings. Beyond learning cybersecurity concepts, I improved my written and spoken English and gained confidence in cross-cultural collaboration.\u201d<\/p>\n Luis Diaz (Universidad Nacional Aut\u00f3noma de Honduras)<\/p>\n \u201cThis project was a rewarding and educational experience that allowed us to collaborate with talented students across three universities. I am grateful to the organizers for making this possible. Working with international students helped me improve my English and learn from different perspectives.<\/p>\n Managing time zones and language barriers was challenging, but we succeeded as a team. This experience reinforced the value of global collaboration, teamwork, and cultural exchange.\u201d<\/p>\n Juan Carlos Flores (Universidad Nacional Aut\u00f3noma de Honduras)<\/p>\n \u201cFrom our first team meeting, I could tell this would be a great experience. We introduced ourselves, shared ideas, and began organizing our tasks. Communicating in English was challenging for me since it is my second language, but I saw it as an opportunity to practice and improve. Everyone was patient and supportive, which made the process much easier.<\/p>\n Working with students from different backgrounds taught me a great deal. We faced time zone differences and busy schedules, but we learned to adapt. I enjoyed hearing diverse perspectives and learning how each person approached problems in their own way. Overall, this collaboration was an amazing experience. I learned the importance of teamwork, communication, and flexibility. Most importantly, I gained confidence using my second language and saw how much we can achieve when we combine ideas across cultures.\u201d<\/p>\n Devanie Gajada (M.S. Cyber and Information Security, St. John\u2019s University)<\/p>\n \u201cWorking with team members from PUC in Brazil and UNAH in Honduras provided valuable cultural and communication experience. Collaborating across different backgrounds helped me become more adaptable, open-minded, and respectful of diverse work styles. This project strengthened our teamwork and prepared us to succeed in multicultural professional environments.\u201d<\/p>\n Miguel Guerrero (M.S. Cyber and Information Security, St. John\u2019s University)<\/p>\n \u201cThis is my final semester of graduate school at St. John\u2019s University. I did not know what to expect from this experience, especially since it involved not only students from St. John\u2019s, but also from Honduras and Brazil.<\/p>\n Fortunately, through collaboration across the group, we were able to coordinate an effective plan to accomplish the project. This experience allowed us to engage in real-world teamwork. Overall, this was a rewarding opportunity that enabled me to collaborate with students from different countries while learning through a real-world cybersecurity case.\u201d<\/p>\n Gulnaz Mukanbetova (M.S. Cyber and Information Security, St. John\u2019s University)<\/p>\n \u201cThis month-long journey has been nothing short of inspiring. Working with nine students from St. John\u2019s University, PUC in S\u00e3o Paulo, and UNAH in Tegucigalpa, I felt energized from day one.<\/p>\n Every day brought new challenges and opportunities to grow. I loved seeing how each team member approached problems differently. PUC students brought creativity and innovation; UNAH students shared practical, context-driven solutions; and my peers from St. John\u2019s pushed technical rigor and critical thinking. By the end of the month, I felt inspired, confident, and more committed than ever to making a meaningful impact in cybersecurity.\u201d<\/p>\n Brianna Mendiola (M.S. Cyber and Information Security, St. John\u2019s University)<\/p>\n \u201cAt first, I was very nervous about what collaborating with students from different countries would entail. I worried about time zone differences and possible language barriers. Thankfully, we were paired with a great group. We set things in motion early, created a plan, and communicated efficiently. Overall, it was a great experience.\u201d<\/p>\n Roberto Morales (Universidad Nacional Aut\u00f3noma de Honduras)<\/p>\n \u201cThis project helped me understand how to collaborate across time zones and cultural contexts. It showed how teamwork across cultures can strengthen the quality of the work.\u201d<\/p>\n John Thomas Pedone (M.S. Cyber and Information Security, St. John\u2019s University)<\/p>\n \u201cThis class was challenging due to the workload of both our capstone and the international collaboration project. Communication was sometimes difficult, especially with students spanning multiple time zones and languages.<\/p>\n As the project progressed, I adapted to approaches that worked better for the group. Overall, while the experience was stressful at times, it was ultimately a positive and valuable research opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n Calebe Foresti de Carvalho Pierozzi (Pontif\u00edcia Universidade Cat\u00f3lica de Campinas (PUC\u2011Campinas), S\u00e3o Paulo, Brazil)<\/p>\n \u201cThis project transformed my understanding of how rich and meaningful exchanges can be, even at a distance. The discussions and meetings surrounding the security breach in Brazil\u2019s PIX system gave me a clearer understanding of the importance of security in digital systems. I am grateful to St. John\u2019s and UNAH for the opportunity to collaborate on this project.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam Reilly (M.S. Cyber and Information Security, St. John\u2019s University)<\/p>\n \u201cGetting five people in the same location and time zone to schedule a meeting is challenging on its own. Adding international students across different time zones and schedules made coordination even more complex.<\/p>\n Despite these challenges, our team was able to identify weekly meeting times that worked for everyone. While we initially thought language barriers would be the biggest obstacle, most students were bilingual in our shared languages, which made communication smoother than expected. Overall, the adaptability of the group and the willingness to collaborate made this experience successful.\u201d<\/p>\n Erhan Sahin (M.S. Cyber and Information Security, St. John\u2019s University)<\/p>\n \u201cWe had the opportunity to collaborate with international students, which was both enriching and insightful. We made a conscious effort to understand and respect cultural differences so that everyone felt included and heard.<\/p>\n By actively participating in group chats and video calls, I built strong working relationships and contributed meaningfully to our shared goals. This experience strengthened my teamwork and communication skills while broadening my perspective on global collaboration and research.\u201d<\/p>\n Guilherme Alves Tavares (Pontif\u00edcia Universidade Cat\u00f3lica de Campinas (PUC\u2011Campinas), S\u00e3o Paulo, Brazil)<\/p>\n \u201cDiscussing a major cybersecurity breach that occurred in Brazil was especially valuable, given its national significance. Each meeting was enriching, particularly for foreign language practice, and served as preparation for future professional work.\u201d<\/p>\n Dominick Vandenberge (M.S. Cyber and Information Security, St. John\u2019s University)<\/p>\n \u201cComing from a background in classical studies and adolescent education, I bring strong analytical and communication skills to the field of cybersecurity. Working on an international, cross-disciplinary team introduced unique challenges, including differences in academic levels, native languages, and time zones. However, those differences ultimately strengthened our collaboration. Each team member brought distinct skills and perspectives, which fostered creativity and allowed everyone to contribute in meaningful ways.<\/p>\n Overall, this experience pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way. I strengthened my communication skills and developed a clearer understanding of how security frameworks operate across borders.\u201d<\/p>\n Gerardo Andree Salinas (Universidad Nacional Aut\u00f3noma de Honduras)<\/p>\n \u201cI was pleased to participate in the GOLE exchange program because it allowed me to deepen my knowledge and apply cybersecurity standards through the study of a real-world case. Experiences such as these help us become better professionals while strengthening our teamwork and communication skills.\u201d<\/p>\n Kauan Messias da Silva Santos (Pontif\u00edcia Universidade Cat\u00f3lica de Campinas (PUC\u2011Campinas), S\u00e3o Paulo, Brazil)<\/p>\n \u201cThis project was especially challenging due to both the demanding workload and my personal difficulty with the English language. Communication was the greatest obstacle for me.<\/p>\n Video meetings were particularly difficult, as following fast-paced discussions in a non-native language required intense focus. Despite these challenges, our team made a strong effort to stay aligned by scheduling weekly meetings and sharing detailed documents. While demanding, this experience was deeply positive and enriching.\u201d<\/p>\n Muhammad Yousaf (M.S. Cyber and Information Security, St. John\u2019s University)<\/p>\n \u201cThis collaboration shaped my perspective and strengthened my ability to work across cultures. While coordinating across multiple time zones and navigating language differences was challenging at first, our communication improved over time.<\/p>\n The most important aspect of this project was that our team continued to show up, collaborate, and support one another. By working through these challenges together, we gained valuable insight from this global experience.\u201d<\/p>\n Preparing St. John\u2019s Graduate Students for Global Industry Leadership<\/p>\n Through initiatives such as the Global Online Learning Exchange Research Experience (GOLE-RE), St. John\u2019s University graduate\u00a0 M.S. in Cyber and Information Security<\/a> dual modality program\u2014accredited\/validated by Middle States, ABET (graduate level), and as a CAE\u2011NSA Program of Study (PoS)\u2014equips students to engage directly with complex, globally relevant research challenges across critical industry sectors. GOLE-RE provides structured opportunities to develop industry\u2011aligned cyber security research skills, collaborate across international and multilingual teams, and analyze real\u2011world threats affecting global enterprises. By integrating applied research with cross\u2011border collaboration, the program prepares students to contribute meaningfully to cybersecurity leadership and innovation in an increasingly interconnected global economy.<\/p>\n GOLE Cyber Research Faculty & (Graduate) Student Contributors<\/p>\n St. John\u2019s University, Queens, New York<\/p>\n Faculty Lead: Dr. Suzanna Schmeelk<\/a><\/p>\n Contributing Team: Cyber Security Graduate Students: PUC-Campinas in S\u00e3o Paulo, Brazil, South America<\/p>\n
Dr. Zoe Petropoulou
Ian M. August
Dr. Geoff Dick
Susan Peterson
Greg Bruhn<\/p>\n
Cassey Burrell
Miguel Guerrero
Brianna Andrea Mendiola
Gulnaz Mukanbetova
Dominick Vandenberge
Monique Crowther
Devanie D Gajadar
John Pedone
Adam Reilly
Erhan Sahin
Muhammad Ali Yousaf
Nathanael Dorsey
Augustine Ibeh
Joeal James
Samuel Thamrin
Oscar Xu
Peter Thorson Andrews
Brian Fitzgerald
Troy Georges
Shalisa McKenzie-McAulay
Daniel O Wilson-Eche
Schuyler Emanuele Winston<\/p>\n