Iona Alumnus William May ’12, ’13MS Helps Build a More Secure Digital Future
“I always had a love for math and computers, but I didn't know where these passions would lead me. Choosing to pursue both has shaped my career in ways I never imagined.”
William May ’12, ’13MS is a senior software engineer at Beyond Identity, bringing over a decade of expertise in mobile application development. With a drive to take on the unique challenges of developing applications for an open-source platform with a diverse ecosystem of devices, May is passionate about learning new strategies to solve problems.
A Yonkers native, May earned a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science and mathematics, followed by a Master of Science in computer science. During his time at Iona, May was involved in Campus Ministry, the Computer Science Club, the Student Government Association, and the Mathematics Society, to name a few.
Learn More about William May
How did Iona prepare you for your career?
I am pleased to see how the Computer Science department has grown! The Game Development and Cyber Security programs did not yet exist in my time as an undergraduate student, yet Iona gave me the building blocks to be able to do both in my career. I was able to get an internship at IBM and after graduation, I landed a job as an Android developer, then moved on to game development, and eventually entered into the field of cyber security.
What do you love most about what you’re currently doing?
When I got into mobile software development, I wanted to help build things that are helpful and useful to people, not just build another app that takes up space. I am working to help eliminate and replace passwords with secure, phishing-resistant authentication. It has been a great learning experience to explore how other operating systems, programming languages and technologies work, and how to secure them.
What advice would you give to a student?
Growing up, I considered game development and cyber security, and I'm blessed to have been able to do both in my career. I never imagined I actually would. I would encourage students to talk to their professors; they can be invaluable in helping you navigate your career path. Also, don't just go to class! Go on a midnight run, a mission trip, or another service project. Take advantage of everything Iona has to offer you.
What motivates you to give back?
I believe every student should have access to transformative experiences like mission trips, retreats or study abroad programs.
ABOUT IONA
Founded in 1940, Iona University is a master's-granting private, Catholic, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers. Iona's 45-acre New Rochelle campus and 28-acre Bronxville campus are just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. With a total enrollment of nearly 4,000 students and an alumni base of more than 50,000 around the world, Iona is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona is highly accredited, offering undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous advanced certificate programs. Iona students enjoy small class sizes, engaged professors and a wide array of academic programs across the School of Arts & Science; LaPenta School of Business; NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences; and Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Iona also continues to be recognized in prestigious national rankings. Most recently for 2025, Iona has been named one of the nation’s best colleges by The Princeton Review, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and others. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report recognized Iona as one of top for social mobility in the country, while Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) ranked an Iona degree in the top 5 percent nationally for long-term return on investment. Iona’s LaPenta School of Business, meanwhile, is also accredited by AACSB International, a recognition awarded to just 6 percent of business schools worldwide. In addition, The Princeton Review recognized Iona’s on-campus MBA program as a “Best Business School for 2024.” Iona also offers a fully online MBA program for even greater flexibility. In July 2021, Iona announced the establishment of the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences, which is now principally located on Iona’s Bronxville campus in collaboration with one of the nation’s top hospitals. Connecting to its Irish heritage, Iona also opened a new campus in County Mayo, Ireland, located on the historic 400-acre Westport House Estate. A school on the rise, Iona officially changed its status from College to University on July 1, 2022, reflecting the growth of its academic programs and the prestige of an Iona education.