Felicie Trebian (she/her) is a proud member of the Navajo Nation. She is currently based in Crownpoint, New Mexico where she is pursuing a Master of Science degree in Management Information Systems at Navajo Technical University.
Felicie’s academic journey and research are deeply rooted in enhancing cybersecurity measures and developing user-friendly security applications. Despite growing up in a small town on the Navajo reservation with limited access to STEM resources she always had a strong enthusiasm for technology and learning.
Felicie’s fascination with advanced technology she was exposed to fueled her ambition to establish her own computer security enterprise. The unwavering support and encouragement from her late father have been instrumental in developing her drive to pursue this path. One of the pivotal experiences in her journey was participating in the NNSA-MSIIP internship, a program offered by the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration for minority-serving institutions. Under the mentorship of Michelle Burke at Sandia National Laboratories, she conducted user experience research. Her work involved utilizing heuristic principles to enhance Sandia’s security website, conducting user interviews, gathering and analyzing survey data, and redesigning web pages. This internship honed her skills in organization and gave her a strong work ethic; reinforcing her passion for cybersecurity.
Felicie was motivated to apply for the CDLS Fellowship because it represents an opportunity to further her education and make significant contributions to her community. Her goal is to continue research and projects in IT and cybersecurity, ultimately establishing a pathway for others with a strong interest in STEM. Her journey reflects resilience, commitment to meeting goals and a strong desire to create a positive impact in her community. Felicie’s story serves as a beacon of motivation for ambitious students, particularly those from marginalized communities.