Student Spotlight: Rico Lucenti MSCRS ’26
NYU Law and Tandon School of Engineering Masters in Cybersecurity Risk and Strategy
Student Veterans of America Leadership Fellow
Former Senior Cybersecurity Manager, US Navy
How did you decide to pursue your master's degree in cybersecurity risk and strategy (MSCRS)?
I chose the MSCRS program because I wanted a degree that acknowledged both my cybersecurity experience and my background in governance and policy. In the military, as I rose through the ranks, I was charged with writing and enforcing military instructions that protected our networks. These are formal documents that explain policy and procedures for a command. They guide how we operate, manage programs, and execute missions. That experience showed me that cybersecurity is not only technical. It requires structure, law, leadership, and accountability.
Building on this realization, I explored programs like an MPA, a master's in political science, and programs in data science and cybersecurity. They all offered value, but none combined the legal, strategic, and technical aspects as I hoped. One day, I searched for cyber law programs and found the NYU MSCRS program. Once I saw the curriculum, I knew it aligned with my goals.
When I received my acceptance last fall, I was excited and grateful for the opportunity. Now, my experience at NYU Law and NYU Tandon has confirmed this is the right program. It sits at the intersection of security, law, technology, and strategy. And this is exactly the field of study I want to lead and serve.
You’re a United States Navy veteran. How has that experience informed your education?
My time in the Navy shaped how I approach education and leadership. Serving for more than two decades taught me discipline, adaptability, and how to think strategically under pressure. In the military, learning is constant. You are always training, mentoring, and finding ways to strengthen the mission and the people around you.
That mindset carried into my academic life. My approach is simple. I value the education I’m receiving, and I do not see it as a check in the box. I see it as a way to strengthen decision-making, sharpen critical thinking, and prepare to lead in complex environments. The Navy gave me a foundation in teamwork, accountability, and purpose. Those values guide how I study and how I pursue my goals beyond my service.
You’re active in the Student Veterans of America. Tell us about that experience.
My involvement with Student Veterans of America started when I was pursuing my BA in political science at Fordham University. I was invited to an event by the SVA President at the time, Jorge Ferrera. I did not realize it then, but that invitation offered more than a student club. It offered community, something I did not know I was missing after departing the Navy.
I began getting involved on campus, which led to amazing opportunities. I traveled to Atlanta to attend a regional summit and connect with other SVA chapters. From there, I applied and was selected as a Student Veterans of America Leadership Fellow in Washington, DC. During that fellowship, I attended the SVA Leadership Institute and was invited to the White House by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.
SVA also opened doors for me to serve the community in New York City. That service resulted in my nomination and recognition at the SVA National Convention in Colorado Springs, where I received the Presidents Volunteer Service Award at the Bronze level. It is a national honor recognizing individuals for meaningful volunteer work.
When I was accepted into the MSCRS program at NYU, I knew I wanted my experience to extend beyond the classroom. I ran for SVA President at NYU and was elected. Working with Dean Allen MacFarlane, the NYU Military Alliance, and our military-connected student community has been an incredibly rewarding experience. It has allowed me to continue serving, build community, and support student veterans the way I was supported.
You have “strategic gaming” listed as a hobby on your resume. What skills have you picked up doing that? How has it informed your education and career path?
Strategic gaming has always been more than just a hobby for me. It helps me practice critical thinking, adaptability, and decision-making under pressure. Many of the games I enjoy require analyzing limited information, anticipating an opponent’s moves, and managing resources to reach long-term objectives. That mirrors how we operate in cybersecurity and leadership.
It has taught me patience, planning, and situational awareness. In gaming and in real strategy, every decision has a consequence, and timing matters. That mindset carries into the classroom and my professional work. I find myself thinking several steps ahead, weighing risks, and learning to stay calm when things shift unexpectedly.
And gaming is fun. It gives me a chance to connect with a community of enthusiasts, release tension, and relax with something enjoyable. It is a healthy balance to the intensity of my studies and professional goals. When I log out, I feel recharged and ready to perform.
Which class in the MSCRS program has been most interesting to you so far? What are you most excited to learn?
My favorite class so far is Cybersecurity: The Evolving Regulatory Landscape. It has two parts. The first, Cybersecurity Regulation, is taught by Professor Sam Rascoff. We have had incredible discussions and guest speakers from both the private and public sectors. People like Meg King from NVIDIA and Nicky Friedlander, chair of Cyber at Sullivan and Cromwell, shared private sector perspectives, while Shalanda Young, former director of the Office of Management and Budget, and Chris Inglis, former national cyber director, shared their experience in government and the work they did shaping cybersecurity regulation in the United States for the first time in our nation’s history.
The second part is taught by Professor Leonard Bailey and focuses on Critical Infrastructure Protection and Information Sharing. This part of the course really brings together regulatory law, national security, and the private sector. We discuss important questions, like the government’s role in regulating critical infrastructure when 90 percent of it is privately owned.
What excites me most is seeing how policy, law, and technology meet in practice. It gives me a front row seat to how decisions at the federal level shape the cybersecurity landscape and the responsibilities that industry leaders carry in that ecosystem.
What do you most like to do outside of class? What’s your favorite way to spend a day in New York City?
Outside of class, I stay active and connected to my community. I am a CrossFit and US Olympic weightlifting coach, and I’m involved with the NYU Running Club and the Cybersecurity Club. I also enjoy hiking near Bear Mountain and spending time with family throughout the boroughs. Fitness, service, and connection are a big part of who I am.
As for my favorite way to spend a day in New York City, I like to explore different neighborhoods and try new cuisines. I enjoy walking through Central Park, visiting museums like the Met or the Brooklyn Museum, and relaxing at the Botanical Gardens. I love how each part of the city has its own personality and food scene. For me, it’s about staying active, discovering new experiences, and making meaningful connections with the people around me.
This interview has been edited and condensed.