Editor's note: This story is part of a series profiling exceptional members of Penn State Schuylkill’s graduating class. For more stories like Kaminski's, visit Schuylkill Speaks! The series is written by Renee Paetzell, a fourth-year Penn State Schuylkill student majoring in human resources with a minor in corporate communications.
SCHUYLKILL HAVEN, Pa. — Cybersecurity is an evolving career field, one in which Kyle Kaminski is eager to grow his passion. A senior pursuing a degree in cybersecurity analytics and operations, Kaminski has taken his academic journey a step further by adding criminal justice as a second major. His decision to pursue a double major was influenced by a friend who is pursuing the same dual degrees, as well as his father’s career in law enforcement as a police officer, which inspired Kaminski to explore the field.
Originally a student at a community college in New Jersey, Kaminski made the decision to enroll at Penn State Schuylkill after visiting his best friend from high school — Andrew Sepp, who came to Schuylkill to play basketball. That visit changed everything. Kaminski found himself forming friendships and becoming acclimated to Schuylkill’s close-knit campus. He appreciated the small-campus environment, which reminded him of his high school, and was drawn to the strong academic programs and the baseball team.
“It became an easy choice to me, with all these different factors, that I would undoubtedly call Penn State Schuylkill my next home,” Kaminski said.
With his passion for criminal justice, Kaminski took on the role of president of the Penn State Schuylkill Criminal Justice Club. The club had been inactive, but he revived it this year to provide students with new opportunities. Since then, members have traveled to Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, to train with the Army National Guard, toured the Eastern State Penitentiary, and participated in team-building by paintballing. Moving forward, the organization hopes to further engage with law enforcement agencies, including a visit to the Pennsylvania State Police Headquarters in Harrisburg.
Eager to embrace new experiences, Kaminski also founded the Penn State Schuylkill Winter Sports Club and secured discounted access to Blue Mountain Ski Resort for students. His commitment to reviving student engagement didn’t stop there. He also relaunched intramural sports on campus, founding the Pickleball Club and working on organizing additional activities such as kickball, glow-in-the-dark dodgeball, ultimate frisbee and basketball.
Beyond extracurriculars, Kaminski is actively involved in academics and student life. He works as a peer tutor and academic coach and serves as treasurer of the Penn State Schuylkill Cybersecurity Club. He is also a member of the Student Government Association, the Blue and White Society and Chi Alpha Sigma, the National College Athlete Honor Society.
“These jobs have allowed me to not only make money while at college but also to be able to interact with our student body," Kaminski said. "These two jobs have allowed me to make different connections and become more professional in a college setting."
Despite his busy schedule, Kaminski has also participated in academic research with Joseph Squillace, assistant teaching professor of cybersecurity. His current project, titled “Exploring the Integration of AI in Global Law Enforcement,” examines how artificial intelligence is being implemented in law enforcement agencies across the United States, Germany, Turkey and Portugal. This spring, he will present his research in Denver, Colorado.
Kaminski's career development also includes valuable internship experiences at the Clifton Police Department and the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office, both in New Jersey. At Clifton Police Department, he worked in the Community Policing Division and Detective Bureau, helping him determine his niche in the field of criminal justice. While interning at the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office, Kaminski worked in the IT Unit and gained insight into law enforcement technology.
“These officers all had different experiences with technology and guided me through my internship, teaching me different things and how I can use my cybersecurity degree,” Kaminski said.
Outside of academics, Kaminski has learned the importance of seizing opportunities. Attending a small campus has allowed him to explore diverse experiences — not only for his own personal and professional development but also for the benefit of the campus community. Throughout his time at Penn State Schuylkill, he has traveled to multiple countries, participated in various sports, launched new clubs, and built connections with students, faculty, staff and alumni.
“You only get one life, and you get no redo, so it is best to make the most of it the first time around,” Kaminski said.
Q: Were there any faculty or staff that helped you while on campus?
Kaminski: There are so many different faculty and staff members that have helped me throughout my years on campus that it would be hard to name them all, and I would feel awful if I missed anyone. I would like to thank those who helped me, and you know who you are. I will not forget those who helped me, whether our interactions were small or large.
Q: What is your favorite Penn State Schuylkill memory?
Kaminski: My favorite Penn State Schuylkill memories have involved traveling out of the county. I have studied criminal justice in London with Dr. Can; participated in service trips in Portugal and with Bryan Valentine, with another planned in Australia; and I have visited Hungary, Austria, Slovakia and the Czech Republic with Dr. Squillace to study cybersecurity. Before coming to Penn State Schuylkill, I had never even been on a plane. These trips have allowed me to explore and become more independent. I have been able to learn about diverse cultures and meet different people. I am still in contact with some of the people I have met on these trips who live in other countries. Being able to go to these other countries with my friends are opportunities that I will never be able to get again once I am out of college.
Q: What will you miss most about campus?
Kaminski: The thing I will miss the most about our campus is all the different people. Living in New Jersey, I am not close to our campus. It is known that a majority of our campus is made up of local students. I have made more friends and connections out here than I can even count. I go to sporting events and concerts, on vacations and to other various activities with the people that I am close with outside here. This is something that I will cherish and although distance may be inconvenient, I will not let it take away these memories from me. I will continue to have a bond with everyone and take advantage of these opportunities.
Q: As a Penn State Schuylkill graduate, what advice would you give to an incoming student?
Kaminski: The advice I would give to an incoming student is that they truly mean it when they say you’re not just a number here. You are part of a tight-knit community and family. You will be granted different opportunities that you will not get at another college. Obviously, academics come first; however, you must make the best of your time here. Don’t sit around and wait for opportunities to come and find you. If there are things you want to do on this campus, there are people here to help you achieve those goals. Be a leader and leave a lasting impact and a legacy on campus, just as I’ve tried to do.