RIC Cyber Institute

06/17/2026

Congratulations to Emily Bairos of East Providence High School on receiving an NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Affiliate Award!

Emily combines creativity and technical skill through her work in computer science, 3D printing and SkillsUSA. She’s even turned her passion for design into a small business selling 3D printed creations at school events! Inspired by advocates like Malala Yousafzai, We are especially proud to say that Emily will be coming to Rhode Island College (RIC) in the fall, where she hopes to continue using technology as a tool to create positive change in the world.

06/15/2026

Danica Barrett of the East Providence Career & Technical Center is already building an impressive future in cybersecurity, earning her Tech+ certification and working toward Security+.

She’s passionate about helping people stay safe online and mentoring younger students as they begin their own technology journeys. Danika will be pursuing additional education for IT Tech support from Year Up and plans to go into the field as a career. Congratulations, Danica, on earning this well-deserved NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Affiliate Award!

06/12/2026

Congratulations to Zoe Nunez-Torres of Achievement First Providence High School on receiving an NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Affiliate Award!

Zoe is passionate about using technology to improve healthcare outcomes and dreams of developing 3D surgical simulation tools that help doctors practice complex procedures safely before operating on patients. Her vision is rooted in personal experience and a deep desire to save lives through innovation.

06/10/2026

Congratulations to Iris Yang of Barrington High School, recipient of an NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Award!

A self-taught programmer and standout mathematician, Iris developed a machine learning model to predict drug toxicity after seeing the impact of liver disease on a close friend. From GirlsGetMath @ Brown to research internships and published scientific work, Iris is already using technology to solve real-world problems with compassion and purpose. Iris is headed to Harvard University in the fall. We are proud to celebrate this incredible future tech leader.

06/09/2026

Congratulations to Augustus Richardson of Cumberland High School on earning an Honorable Mention in the NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Awards!

Augustus is fascinated by robotics and prosthetic technology and hopes to design tools that improve mobility and independence for people with disabilities. His commitment to listening directly to the communities he hopes to serve reflects the passion and innovation that define great technology leaders.

06/08/2026

Congratulations to Paxton Phiuphonphan of Cumberland High School on earning an Honorable Mention in the 2026 NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Awards!

Paxton’s passion for coding began in childhood and grew into leadership in game design and a deep interest in the Internet of Things. Inspired by technology innovations he observed abroad, he hopes to create more inclusive and accessible technology that improves everyday life for everyone. We can’t wait to see where his creativity and vision take him next!

06/05/2026

Congratulations to Mariana Gutierrez of Cumberland High School on earning an Honorable Mention in the NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Awards!

Mariana began teaching herself Python at just 12-years-old and has continued expanding her skills across multiple programming languages, game jams and hackathons. She is headed to Worcester Polytechnic Institute in the fall and hopes to one day become a data scientist for the U.S. Navy and explore how AI can support mental health treatment.

06/04/2026

Congratulations to Bradyn DiBiase of Cumberland High School on earning an NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Rising Star Award!

Bradyn’s passion for IT began in elementary school when he became his classroom’s unofficial tech support specialist, helping his teacher and her colleagues troubleshoot challenges with their computers. Today, he’s building websites and helping small businesses modernize their technology, with a goal of making affordable web and cybersecurity support more accessible to local companies.

06/02/2026

The Institute's Dr. Timothy Henry has many talents — chief among them the ability to break down complex "tech-speak" into helpful metaphors and clear examples.

If you're still trying to wrap your head around what AI means for the future, you won't want to skip his recent Q&A with Rhode Island College (RIC).

In this Q&A, Professor Timothy Henry, director of the AI program, who also serves on Gov. Daniel McKee’s Task Force on Artificial Intelligence, explains AI in layman’s terms.What are we actually talking about when we talk about AI? People talk about AI all the time, but that doesn’t necessaril...

06/01/2026

Congratulations to Paula Cepeda of The Met High School, Providence and Newport, RI on earning an NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Rising Star Award!

Paula is passionate about the future of artificial intelligence and believes technology should be used responsibly and thoughtfully. She hopes to help people better understand AI as a tool for learning and innovation, while encouraging critical thinking and ethical use of technology.