For Immediate Release
April 15, 2022

Cybersecurity Major Cynthia Ramos Earns Fordham Scholarship

Class of 2022 Cybersecurity major Cynthia Ramos has been awarded a Fordham University Dean’s Scholarship valued at $20,000 per year in recognition of her “strong academic performance in a rigorous college/university curriculum. Ramos, at right, when she was enlisted in the Marine Corps.

Suffolk County Community College Class of 2022 Cybersecurity major Cynthia Ramos has been awarded a Fordham University Dean’s Scholarship valued at $20,000 per year in recognition of her “strong academic performance in a rigorous college/university curriculum, a 3.75+ grade point average; exceptional personal characteristics and commitment, leadership, and/or service,” according to the scholarship award description.

Ramos, 22, an East Islip High School graduate, joined the United States Marine Corps in 2017, became an intelligence specialist and quickly rose to the rank of corporal, but had to leave military service after three years because of an injury suffered during a training maneuver.

Ramos came to Suffolk in 2020 and was influenced by her military experience to study cybersecurity.

“My experience at Suffolk has been great,” Ramos said, “Professor Stone was superb and helped motivate me when I was sometimes frustrated. His support is a part of how I was able to maintain my 4.0 average.”  Ramos was quick to add that keeping up her grades was not always easy, but Suffolk’s support system, including her weekly virtual writing center appointments played a part in her success. “I hope my experience can inspire others,” Ramos said, and underscored that her experience was not easy, but worth it.

“Cynthia has been an outstanding student whose motivation and effort stand as a goal for all students. I’m thrilled that Fordham recognized her excellence and look forward to hearing about her successes there,” said Assistant Professor of Cybersecurity Andrew Stone.

As for the future, Ramos said she plans to live in New York City while attending Fordham University and will major in psychology. “I can get a cybersecurity job while earning my psychology degree,” Ramos said, “and then see if I can combine the two fields and use both for future employment.”