Honoring 35th Graduating Class, 2025 INI Diploma Ceremony Celebrates the Invaluable Support of Community
By Evan Lybrand
Media InquiriesOver the past 35 years, the Information Networking Institute (INI) has been preparing students with the deep technical knowledge and innovative techniques to join the ever-evolving fields of cybersecurity, information networking, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and mobile and IoT. On Sunday, May 11, a crowd of family, friends, faculty and staff gathered at Rodef Shalom to celebrate the achievements of the INI’s 35th graduating class. 120 students walked across the stage and joined nearly 3,000 alumni in the INI’s ever-growing global community.
After recognizing all the mothers in attendance (pictured below), who shared Mother’s Day with the graduates, INI Director Dr. Dena Haritos Tsamitis addressed the class of 2025. Dr. Haritos Tsamitis spoke of the importance of values in an ever-changing world.
“We are living in a time of rapid transformation and, often, deep uncertainty,” said Dr. Haritos Tsamitis. “Over the past few years, we’ve seen how quickly systems can shift, how interconnected our world really is and how essential it is to stay grounded in what matters most. In a world where change is constant, your values will be your anchor.”
The INI has built an alumni community dedicated to helping the next generation succeed and Dr. Haritos Tsamitis pointed to that tight-knit community.
“If you find yourself feeling uncertain about what lies ahead, look to those who came before you,” said Dr. Haritos Tsamitis. “Many INI alumni graduated in times of disruption and uncertainty, and yet they’ve gone on to lead in powerful, creative and meaningful ways. They’ve built companies, safeguarded critical systems, advanced research and shaped industries. They did it by trusting in their preparation and leaning into their community.”
Following Dr. Haritos Tsamitis, keynote speaker Elizabeth Schweinsberg took the stage to share some words of wisdom. Schweinsberg is the most recent Scholarship for Service (SFS) Hall of Fame inductee and the second INI alum to claim that honor. She is a 2005 graduate of the M.S. in Information Security Technology and Management (MSISTM) program, now the nationally recognized M.S. in Information Security (MSIS). With over two decades of experience, Schweinsberg has held positions in government and major companies, including Facebook and Google.
Sharing a warm smile, Schweinsberg echoed the sentiments of Dr. Haritos Tsamitis on the power of community.
“I want to encourage you to maintain the community you have built here as it will serve you well, both in your career and outside,” said Schweinsberg. “Graduate school is one of the last times where you are immersed in a new place with other people who are also new to the place.”
That supporting network can be invaluable as students face the challenges of the field. “The industry is not that big, and you will probably run into each other again,” said Schweinsberg. “Maybe you spot a familiar face at a large hacking conference, on the other end of a Zoom meeting or even just seeing a name on a paper or blog post you recognize. Finding these moments of community can buoy your spirit and remind you that we are in this together.”
Award Winners
Outstanding Student Service Award for a Teaching Assistant
Fivos Allagiotis, MSIT-IS
Irtasam Ali Wains, MSIT-IS
Nominated by David Varodayan
"Among the six TAs, Fivos and Irtasam were the ones most dedicated to serving all students no matter their level of prior experience. In fact, some Pittsburgh-based students preferred to attend their online office hours because they found them especially kind and understanding. Fivos and Irtasam went above and beyond expectations to create a supportive environment for students to focus on excellence in their work.”
Outstanding Student Service Award for a Research Assistant
Yifie Pang, MSIS
Nominated by Steven Wu
"Yifei’s combination of intellectual rigor, research aptitude, and initiative makes me confident that he is operating like a strong PhD student. Yifei’s primary contribution was nothing short of transformative. Conceptually, his work represents a significant step toward reconciling the competing demands of privacy and utility, deriving actionable insights into user behavior while respecting privacy constraints. His contributions have benefited not only my research group but also the overall research environment within machine learning privacy."
INI Leadership Award
Qinyuan “Olivia” Wu, MSIT-IS
Nominated by Pedro Bustamante
"I have not seen any other student be academically successful while also participating in so many extracurricular activities in so many domains, from academic leadership to a fitness instructor. Olivia is not only a brilliant scholar but also a compassionate and empathetic individual. She has a unique ability to connect with others, fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment wherever she goes. Her positive attitude and unwavering dedication make her a role model for her peers and a true asset to our institution."
Innocent Habiyaremya Memorial Award
Rohan Viswanathan, MSIS
Nominated by Hanan Hibshi, Patrick Tague and David Varodayan
Hanan: "I was fortunate to meet Innocent in person when he was an INI student, and his calm, wonderful smile always kept us optimistic, even during tough times. When nominating a student for this award, I look for those who embody Innocent’s spirit and smile. Despite his heavy workload, Rohan’s happiness and positive outlook are truly remarkable, uplifting us all during challenging times.”
Varodayan: “Rohan took all this experience to do something that INI students haven’t done before. In Spring 2025, he developed and taught a student-led course called Introduction to CTF Competitions. It is a testament to Rohan’s dedication that he extended his degree from 3 to 4 semesters just so that he could make this course happen.”
Tague: “Rohan has been a constant presence, strong peer supporter and source of inspiration for the INI for the past two years. I can’t think of another student who has had more direct and indirect impact on the INI community."