Securing the Future

Aaron Fiebelkorn, BA '15.

Aaron Fiebelkorn.

Aaron Fiebelkorn, BS '15, is completing an MBA and an independent study degree in cybersecurity.

UB is in his blood. “Both my parents are alumni, and my father has worked for the university since I was 5,” says Fiebelkorn, whose independent study is supported by UB Fund donors.

"The support I received means that I am forging my own path toward a one-of-a-kind degree. It’s a really unique program, where my classmates and I lead the courses by researching and teaching each other, attending lectures and taking part in collegiate cybersecurity competitions. The competitions are like exams, in that they are a forum for us to test our technical skills and show teamwork, leadership and strategic ability. Competitions also reveal what we don’t know, and give us something to bring back to campus. This experience has truly given me a distinctive skill set unlike what any other program or school could offer."

Fiebelkorn says he plans to become a security architect, which means designing and developing secure computer systems that protect the world from devastating cyberattacks.

“While the field may be an unfortunate sign of the times, UB is preparing me well to face any situation so I can help make the world safer for all of us,” says Fiebelkorn, who is grateful for donor support. “Thank you for helping make my UB experiences possible! I hope that with your continued support, others will benefit as I have.”