Cybersecurity Student Spotlight: Jenessa Lu

For me, leadership has never really been about having a title. It is more about showing up, following through, and caring about the people around you. Even something as simple as serving coffee on Monday mornings became a reminder of that. It was never just about the coffee itself, but about the conversations and the sense of connection that came with it. I believe a lot of leadership happens in small ways that are easy to overlook: reaching out to classmates, checking in, being reliable, and making people feel included. Those actions may seem small, but when done consistently, they often set the tone for how people experience a community.

When I first got my acceptance letter to Duke Cybersecurity, I knew I wanted to build a life at Duke that went beyond the classroom. That mindset led me to apply to several student boards and groups before the semester even began, because I wanted to be part of and contribute to both the Pratt community and the greater Duke community.

At Duke, I found different ways to get involved beyond academics. On the Pratt Master’s Programs Student Advisory Board, I helped organize weekly events that brought students together outside the classroom. As a Pratt Engineering Master’s External Reviewer, I shared student feedback and represented the student perspective. I also served on the Duke Engineering Community Engagement Advisory Committee, where I advised on grant applications and funding decisions that supported Duke Engineering and the surrounding community. Leadership even showed up in unexpected places, like captaining my tent during graduate fall and spring campouts and helping my team stay on track all the way to season tickets and front-row seats for the Duke–UNC game.

Being active, curious, and engaged has led me to opportunities I did not expect when I first came to Duke. One of the most meaningful has been helping lead a satellite cybersecurity research effort on campus. In that role, I have helped organize students into groups, coordinate meetings, communicate updates, and support planning around budgeting and equipment. It has brought me back to the same idea I started with: leadership is often less about recognition and more about being someone others can count on.

If I could offer one piece of advice to other students, it would be this: be the person who extends a hand first. Reach out to people. Introduce yourself. Invite someone in. A lot of community begins when one person decides to make the first move, even in a small way.

This award means a lot to me, but what matters most is the community behind it. The connections I built while serving coffee, chatting, sharing activities, and getting to know others in the in-between moments are what made my time at Duke so meaningful. More than anything, those moments reminded me that caring, showing up, and being there for people really matters, one coffee at a time.