Dr. Ashley Podhradsky
Dr. Ashley Podhradsky, Nationally Recognized Cybersecurity Leader and Vice President for Research & Economic Development at Dakota State University
Dr. Ashley Podhradsky is a nationally recognized cybersecurity leader and Vice President for Research & Economic Development at Dakota State University. She also serves on the First Bank & Trust Board of Directors.
Under her leadership, research teams have secured nearly $20 million in competitive funding from the National Security Agency, National Science Foundation, U.S. Small Business Administration, Google, and other partners.
Dr. Podhradsky co-founded CybHER, a nationally recognized cybersecurity outreach initiative that has reached thousands of students and educators and attracted nearly $2 million in support.
Her honors include the EmBe Young Woman of Achievement Award, Merrill Hunter Award for Excellence in Research, New America Cybersecurity Fellowship, and selection as an AAAS IF/THEN Ambassador. She was also represented in the Smithsonian’s life-size #IfThenSheCan exhibit celebrating 120 women in STEM.
11:10 AM | BLUE ROOM
CybHER: Building South Dakota’s Next Generation of Cyber Leaders
CybHER helps South Dakota students—especially girls and those from rural, tribal, and underserved communities—explore careers in cybersecurity and technology. This presentation will highlight how hands-on learning, sustained outreach, and strong partnerships are helping educate, inspire, and retain the state’s next generation of cybersecurity professionals.
