In 1979, Mardecia Bell stepped onto the bricks as a freshman at NC State. Over the next 46 years, she has built a legacy of steadiness, mentorship and kindness one brick at a time.

Bell will retire from her role as chief information security officer (CISO) effective Jan. 1, 2026. She also serves as assistant vice chancellor for the Office of Information Technology (OIT) Security and Compliance unit.

“Mardecia is the rare CISO who understands and empathizes with people to help them adapt and embrace change.”

She joined Administrative Computing Services in 1985 as a COBOL programmer before moving into a desktop support role and then on to a number of security-related positions. When OIT was formed in 2007, bringing together administrative and academic computing, Bell became the university’s first CISO.

“I wanted to do security and compliance, believe it or not. It gave me a sense of satisfaction that I was helping people,” said Bell. “I liked showing people how they could do their jobs more securely and protect the data.”

As technology and security needs evolved, Bell remained a steady presence. She was there when NC State migrated from the mainframe to a distributed client-server model, when PeopleSoft was implemented to power the Human Resources, Financial, and Student Information systems, and now she serves as co-chair for the university’s Artificial Intelligence Advisory Group. 

Bell has led critical security initiatives, such as developing a campuswide cybersecurity strategic plan and Data Management Framework, implementing IT Purchase Compliance and multifactor authentication, and establishing the Secure University Research Environment to safeguard Controlled Unclassified Information. 

Bell’s dedication to the field and her people-centered approach to leadership earned her a 2025 CarolinaCISO ORBIE Award in September. The ORBIE Awards celebrate top-achieving technology, security and marketing leaders who embody strategic vision, effective management and commitment to serving others.

“Mardecia is the rare CISO who understands and empathizes with people to help them adapt and embrace change,” said Vice Chancellor for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer Marc Hoit. “People repeatedly tell me she is the one who encouraged them, supported them and helped them achieve their goals.”

Inspiring the Next Generation of Cybersecurity Leaders

CIO Magazine spoke with Bell about her career path, passion for cybersecurity and plans after retirement.

Read the interview

Bell has mentored many colleagues and students throughout her career. In 2019, she joined Donna Petherbridge, Gwen Hazlehurst and others to co-found the Women in Technology interest group. The group provides mentorship, networking opportunities and a supportive community to ensure everyone feels like they have a place in technology.

“Mardecia definitely is a lead-by-example kind of person. She has helped a lot of people grow in their careers,” said Hazlehurst, assistant vice chancellor for OIT Enterprise Application Services. “She does a really good job of allowing others to step in, step up, and really feel like they matter and that they can run with things.”

And, said Hazlehurst, she shows how you can be a calm, steady leader without having to be the loudest voice in the room.

Bell’s thoughtfulness with words and people is something Petherbridge, vice provost for Digital Education and Learning Technology Applications, uses as a compass during difficult conversations.

“She really thinks about what she’s going to say in a conversation to move something forward in a positive way even when there’s contention,” said Petherbridge. “She always seems to find the right words with just the right levity, just the right bit of kindness.”

As she nears retirement, Bell still has the security of NC State and its people at top of mind. She hopes the community will continue to remember these three simple steps to stay safe — be suspicious, take your time, ask for help.

“I would be pleased to know that cybersecurity awareness and the importance of protecting the university’s data is a priority,” said Bell.