Honor Society® member
Sarah Ofarril
- Cybersecurity
- Class of 2026
- Dyer, IN
Member since May 2026
About
I am a senior at Purdue University in Indianapolis finishing a degree in Cybersecurity with a 3.98 GPA. My professional experience includes working as a GRC intern to manage network vulnerability metrics and leading complex fraud detection projects. While I enjoy the technical side of security my true focus is the human impact of technology. Through my research at the Tech Justice Lab I have seen how technical tools can either protect or harm communities depending on the laws that govern them. I believe the most important challenges in our digital world are at the intersection of security and the legal system. This is why I am moving toward a Master of Science in Law at Northwestern Law School this fall. I want to bridge the gap between technical expertise and legal advocacy to help create fair privacy laws. Whether I am serving as a Lead Student Ambassador or a researcher I am committed to being a leader who translates complex tech into justice.
Education
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Northwestern University
Master of Science in Law
2026 – Present
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Purdue University Indianapolis
Cybersecurity
2023 – 2026
Honors and awards
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Golden Hammer Award for Excellence
I have twice received the Golden Hammer Award for Excellence. This award is only given to the top 20 students at Purdue University in Indianapolis. It recognizes students for their academic success and leadership on campus.
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Alpha Lambda Delta Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society
I was inducted into this national honor society for achieving a high grade point average during my first year of college. It recognizes students who demonstrate a high level of academic excellence and commitment to their studies.
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deans list
I have been named to the Dean’s List every semester for maintaining a high grade point average. This honor recognizes students who show consistent academic excellence and dedication to their studies.
Goals and interests
- Career goal
I plan to build a career in Governance Risk and Compliance to bridge the gap between technical security and legal policy. My goal is to help organizations navigate complex regulations while ensuring their data protection strategies are both effective and ethical.
- Graduate school interests
I plan to pursue a Master of Science in Law at Northwestern Law School to explore the intersection of technical security and legal policy. My goal is to study how regulatory frameworks can better address emerging risks in data privacy and artificial intelligence.
- Outside the classroom
Cooking and recipe development with a focus on exploring different cultural cuisines
Photography
Civic engagement and community advocacy
Latin dance particularly salsa and bachata
Animal care and spending time with my pets
International travel and cultural immersion
Bilingual writing and digital content creation
Attending live music and musical theatre performances
Exploring local food scenes and documenting new dining experiences
Experience
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Teaching Assistant – HONR 19901: Introduction to Research
John Martinson Honors College | West Lafayette, IN • Supported three professors across separate summer research courses, adapting to varied teaching styles and disciplines. • Provided administrative and instructional support, including grading and resource preparation, to ensure smooth delivery. • Collaborated with faculty and students to strengthen the Honors research community.
Jun 2025 – Aug 2025
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IT Security & GRC Intern
Marzetti Company | Columbus, OH • Performed weekly vulnerability metrics and analysis across the company’s network to identify and assess security risks • Assessed data risk exposure within Microsoft 365 application to support compliance and governance efforts. • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to support security awareness and policy adherence • Conducted research on capabilities of existing cybersecurity tools and provided recommendations for improving usage.
May 2025 – Aug 2025
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Independent Researcher – Critical Artificial Intelligence
Purdue University | Indianapolis, IN • Conduct independent research on the ethical and societal implications of emotion recognition technology, with a focus on its impact on marginalized communities and educational settings. • Analyze scholarly articles and case studies to identify potential risks, biases, and consequences of AI deployment. Develop accessible materials, including a public-facing website, to communicate research findings to diverse audiences. • Collaborate with faculty and peers to translate complex technical and ethical concepts into actionable insights that inform responsible technology use.
Jan 2025 – Jan 2026
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Teaching Assistant – Detection of Digital Fraud
Purdue University | Indianapolis, IN • Directed a student team as project manager for the Data Mine Corporate Partners project, delivering applied research on fraud detection with Elevance Health. • Supervised students’ use of Splunk, Python, RegEx, and AI/ML algorithms to develop fraud detection models and queries. • Led weekly labs and project meetings to ensure alignment, clarify technical concepts, and drive progress toward project goals. • Communicated weekly updates, announcements, and assignments to keep team members organized and on track with deliverables. • Evaluated student reports, providing feedback to enhance technical accuracy and professional writing skills.
Sep 2024 – May 2025
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Polytechnic Lead Student Ambassador
Purdue University | Indianapolis, IN • Serve as a student representative for the Purdue Polytechnic Institute, welcoming and guiding prospective and admitted students. • Lead campus tours, providing detailed insights about facilities, programs, and student life. • Facilitate communication between prospective students, families, and faculty, addressing questions about academic programs and campus resources.
Sep 2024 – May 2026
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IT and Computer Support Technician
Indiana University | Indianapolis, IN • Provided tier 1 technical support to faculty and staff under the Division of Undergraduate Education • Monitored a technology queue to provide fast and efficient support. • Provided support for desktops, laptops, mobile technology, Chromebooks, and computer peripherals.
Dec 2023 – Dec 2024
Languages
- English (US) Advanced
- Spanish Intermediate
Additional information
Organizations
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Purdue Indianapolis ColorStack (opens in a new tab)
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John Martinson Honors College (Honors Peer Mentor Program) (opens in a new tab)
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Tech Justice Lab (opens in a new tab)
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Purdue Polytechnic Institute (Student Ambassadors) (opens in a new tab)
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Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society (opens in a new tab)
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Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society (opens in a new tab)
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Boiler Gold Rush (Orientation Program) (opens in a new tab)
