One of Marist University's standout research opportunities is the Marist/IBM joint study program. This collaboration has grown tremendously since its inception in 1988, and as a member of the program since May 2024, it's been an incredible honor to contribute to its growth and legacy. My experience with the joint study has been truly unforgettable; I am so grateful for the opportunity to delve into the world of computer science hands-on through real-world projects, corporate atmosphere, incredible coworkers, presentation opportunities, and more. I officially began my work for the program during the summer, entering my senior year of undergrad. During my time, I worked very closely with the Integrated Cryptographic Service Facility (ICSF) at IBM, building cryptographic tools for the next release of z/OS. I also contributed to adapting ICSF's code to support NIST's newly standardized quantum-safe algorithms, Crystals-Kyber and Crystals-Dilithium. I primarily worked with mentors at IBM but also received input from my Marist faculty advisor (an IBM veteran). My favorite experience from the joint study was presenting in England at “Guide Share Europe” (GSE), an annual conference celebrating mainframes. I presented with a co-worker, Evan Spillane, about introducing younger generations into the world of enterprise computing and mainframes. Our presentation was very well received and hopefully will jumpstart Marist’s attendance in future occurrences of the conference. I am pleased and honored to share that I also won the “Best New Speaker” award at this conference. Along with GSE, I presented by work at CURSCA, IBM TechConnect, and at an executive stakeholder showcase at the end of the academic year. These presentations showcased a culmination of hard work, innovation, and collaboration. The computer science program at Marist is just one of many facets that makes the school so unique. Outside of CS, the music department has been a formative component of my undergraduate experience. I am involved in 3 groups: singers, a cappella/Enharmonics, and chamber choir, all of which brought me some of my fondest memories. I was a director of the Enharmonics for my junior and senior years, where I arranged music, led rehearsals, planned events, and more. I even got to perform in Carnegie Hall as a part of Chamber Choir! If I could give any piece of advice to an incoming Marist student, I would tell them to “take chances.” You will not get the opportunity if you don’t try. This involves being open to trying things that scare you. If I let intimidation stop me, I would not be in the joint study program, and I would have never gotten the opportunities that came along with it. Take risks, who knows where you will end up!