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UC Hosts Successful Inaugural Cybersecurity Career Fair

Event connects cybersecurity students with more than 40 regional employers

headshot of Emily Sullivan By Emily Sullivan
3 minute read March 23, 2026

More than 350 students from 10 area higher education institutions attended the University of Cincinnati’s inaugural cybersecurity career fair Feb. 24 at Nippert Stadium’s North Lounge.

The College of Cooperative Education and Professional Studies partnered with the Cincinnati chapter of the Information Systems Security Association to host the event in response to student demand for targeted recruiting opportunities in UC’s cybersecurity programs.

Two people stand facing each other and talking in a modern indoor lobby space. The person on the left, wearing a blue suit, gestures with one hand while speaking. The person on the right, in a dark pullover and casual pants, stands with arms crossed. Other people and event signage are visible in the background.

Mike Kelley, CISO of TQL, and keynote speaker of the event. Photo/Emily Sullivan.

The university offers standalone undergraduate degrees in the field through the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the School of Information Technology, as well as certificate programs, degree concentrations, upskilling opportunities and the Ohio Cyber Range Institute.

The fair drew more than 40 employers, including Kroger, Fifth Third Bank, Cintas, Medpace, Total Quality Logistics, Western & Southern Financial Group, Great American Insurance Group, altafiber, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and UC’s Office of Information Security.

Highlights included an industry networking area, roundtable discussions on current security topics, a keynote address by Total Quality Logistics Chief Information Security Officer Mike Kelley, cybersecurity trivia with prizes and $7,000 in student scholarships generously provided through support from ISSA.

Four University of Cincinnati staff members stand side by side in front of a red UC backdrop that reads ‘College of Cooperative Education and Professional Studies’ and ‘University of Cincinnati.’ All are wearing gray UC-branded pullovers and name tags, posing and smiling for the photo.

Information technology co-op team (L. to R.): Tonkia Bridges, Erik Alanson, Kelli Anderson, and Rich Hoyt. Missing: Kenny Pope and Nadia Ibrahim-Taney. Photo/Emily Sullivan.

“This event was the culmination of an idea we’ve had for over a year,” said Erik Alanson, unit head of UC’s information technology co-op program. “We felt it was time to give our cybersecurity student population the chance to showcase their aptitude and interest with some of the biggest brands in the region. Partnering with ISSA gave us this platform, and we are so proud of the students that attended, networked, and learned alongside us.”

Scholarship recipients included Donna Lee, Erina Sullivan, Justin Martin, A.J. Platt, Bhanudas Mahadik, Andres Sanchez-Gonzalez, Bipran Rimal, Kyle Dodig, Kymani Jarrett, Marc Moye, Naomi Martinez Trevino, Oriana Hernández Alvarado, Rashmi Devkota and Tré Dean.

Due to the event’s success, UC plans to host another cybersecurity career fair during the 2026-27 academic year. Those interested in getting involved can contact Alanson at erik.alanson@uc.edu.

Featured image at top of scholarship recipients. Photo/provided.

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