Mardecia Bell is retired as the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at North Carolina State University effective January 1, 2026 and has been working in the information technology field for 42+ years. She believes that appropriate security controls should follow the data wherever it lives. Mardecia has held several positions in central IT since joining the university in September 1985. These included the director of Enterprise Technology Services & Support and director of Administrative Computing Services.
Mardecia has been a presenter for several sessions at EDUCAUSE and UNC CAUSE. She was a member of the 2021 CISO Online Education Predictions Panel. She is a member of the Regulated Research Community of Practice advisory board. Mardecia is a member, and former chairperson, of the University of North Carolina Information Security Council. She leads several university committees and is proud to be a founding member of NC State’s Women In Technology Interest Group. One of her passions is serving as a mentor for female students interested in the cybersecurity field. Mardecia received her bachelor's degree in computer science from North Carolina State University.
Cultivating a sense of value and belonging is critical for retaining talented staff and driving organizational success. Effective leaders foster a supportive culture by promoting adaptability, supporting professional growth, maintaining accountability, encouraging open communication, and celebrating both individual and team achievements.
To successfully prepare for and step into leadership roles as you move along your career path, you should consider several specific areas to improve your leadership toolkit and be prepared for that next opportunity.
To successfully navigate today's ever-changing environment while attracting and retaining the best employees, higher education leaders must be curious, resilient, empathetic, authentic, thoughtful, inclusive, vulnerable, and emotionally intelligent.
| Status: | Yes, current member |