UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) has named Bryan Wright as its summer 2025 student marshal. He will lead the procession of IST graduates during the commencement ceremony, which will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 16, at the Bryce Jordan Center.
Student marshals are selected for their outstanding academic achievements. Wright will graduate summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Security and Risk Analysis, information and cybersecurity option, a major that stood out to him because of its focus on solving real-world problems with technology.
“I chose Penn State because it’s well-respected and has a strong global network to tap into,” Wright said. “I chose IST’s security and risk analysis major because it lined up well with my background in the military and my interest in systems, data, and mission-driven work.”
Wright completed 100% of his bachelor’s degree remotely through Penn State World Campus.
“The flexibility allowed me to balance work, family, and school without compromising any of them,” he said. “I’m grateful for how accessible and well-structured the remote learning experience has been.”
Wright enlisted in the United States Army in August 2003 and currently serves as a data integration sergeant major within the U.S. Army Special Operations Command. Throughout his career, he has served in a variety of positions, from team member to battalion operations sergeant major. Pursuing a college degree has always been a priority for him.
“I wanted to challenge myself, learn new skills, and build technology that could help and protect people,” he said. “With the demands of military life, it’s taken time to make steady progress. Penn State provided me with the structure and momentum I needed to stay on track and continue working toward a goal I had held for a long time.”
Wright attended basic combat training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and advanced individual training at Fort Gordon, Georgia, as an information technology specialist. His assignments have included the 82nd Airborne Division and nearly 17 years within the U.S. Army Special Operations Command.
He deployed multiple times to various areas of responsibility, including U.S. Africa Command, U.S. Central Command, U.S. European Command, and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.
Wright’s military education includes the Joint Special Operations Forces Senior Enlisted Academy, Military Freefall Jumpmaster Course, and Static Line Jumpmaster Course. He applied his military skills and training to his IST journey.
“One thing that’s stuck with me from my time in the military is how much the success of any mission depends on the strength of the team, not just the individual,” he said. “I brought that same mindset with me, whether I was leading a project or just checking in on classmates during a tough week.
“Trust, accountability, and shared purpose are essential in military teams and within the classroom. My advice to future students is to focus on the people around you. If you invest in your peers and your community, everything else tends to fall into place.”
Wright and his wife, Yaniz, have been married for 14 years and have a son, Landon.
Learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Security and Risk Analysis offered online through Penn State World Campus.
