Author: Maya Mishra
Maya is a student employee with Technology Services.
Privacy usually glosses over busy college students’ minds, but it is the invisible shield that keeps their daily life running smoothly. Behind that shield lies Sheena Bishop, lead privacy analyst and assistant HIPAA official for the U of I. Her work ensures that sensitive data, ranging from grades to private medical records, stays exactly where they belong.
Sheena was the very first analyst that was hired to build the university’s privacy team and has spent the last four years shaping how Illinois safeguards personal information. Whether she is organizing a campuswide privacy conference, advising researchers or just reminding us to “mind our own business”, Sheena combines her expertise with humor and lightheartedness. Outside of work, you’re just as likely to find her lining up a perfect pool shot as you are to find her advocating privacy.
Describe your role in Tech Services.
I joke that I’m the University’s Lead of MYOB (Mind Your Own Business) to friends and family because my job is to make sure we’re respectful stewards of personal information. Whether it’s grades, health records, or research data, I help ensure it is protected and used appropriately. It’s really about enabling trust and helping teams do the right thing with data. In other words, making sure everyone respects each other’s digital boundaries (a.k.a. helping everyone mind their own business).
What impact does your role leave on campus?
I help protect the University community by keeping personal information safe, ensuring compliance with privacy laws, reducing risks of data breaches and building trust so students, faculty and staff can focus on learning, teaching and research.
What is the best thing about your current role?
The best thing about this role is knowing I am making a real difference by keeping people’s private information private. I’m not just checking boxes or enforcing rules. I get to think critically to play a part in everything from protecting a students’ grades and financial aid, to keeping health records private, to making sure research is handled ethically.
What does a typical day look like for you?
No two days are the same. Some days I am entirely focused on the annual HIPAA Security Risk Assessment for our Health Care Components. Other days I am doing privacy impact assessments of vendors that a group wants to work with and reviewing contracts and providing privacy recommendations. Some days I consult with student researchers on their IRB proposal for their dissertation. Some days it’s a combination of all that and more. I am fortunate to be on the Privacy Team where our work is driven by the needs of the people.
What has been one of your biggest accomplishments in this role?
The Privacy Everywhere Conference! We’re positioning Illinois as a leader in privacy, hosting an annual conference in January that has expanded every year since its inauguration in 2021 (just before my time). I have led the planning and execution of the Privacy Everywhere Conference since 2022, where we bring together experts and stakeholders to discuss critical topics like human‐centric data systems, ethical data use, privacy by design, police surveillance technology and AI governance. This year’s conference had 580 unique registrants and the positive feedback from attendees showed that the event was valuable and impactful. We’ve just started planning for next year’s conference in January 2026. Look for a Save–the–Date in November!
Best tech tip?
If you’re not already using a password manager like Bitwarden, use strong, unique passwords and change them regularly. I like to use misheard song lyrics from my favorite songs, with a few numbers and special characters thrown in there. I start my day logging in with silly song lyrics.
What’s one piece of insight about technology that you have learned?
Technology isn’t just about what it can do, it’s about what it should do. Just because a system can collect or analyze lots of personal data doesn’t mean it’s ethical, legal or even necessary. The biggest lesson is that privacy isn’t about stopping technology; it’s about using it in ways that respect people and protect their trust.
What did you study in college?
I have a Master’s degree in molecular and cellular biology from UC Berkeley. I was a graduate student researcher in a lab conducting molecular biology, biochemistry and structural biology techniques, with a focus on x-ray crystallography. I even have a publication in Nature for solving a crystal structure, “Hidden alternative structures of proline isomerase essential for catalysis.”
What is one hobby that you have outside of work?
I am an active member of the East Central Illinois American Poolplayers Association. APA is the world’s largest pool league. I play both 8 ball and 9 ball billiards competitively on 3 teams and am the captain of my Ladies League team. My teams have won first place multiple times, earning trophies and invitations to Regionals. I’ve even been League MVP 3 times in the last 4 years. It helps that we have a pool table in our basement.
Favorite cuisine to eat?
I’m a big fan of sushi. I’ve been to Morimoto’s restaurant in Napa, California and Maui, Hawaii. Both times I ordered the omakase, which is not a menu item, but rather a multi-course meal of the chef’s choice. Both times it was amazing!
Fun fact about yourself?
I’m originally from Buffalo, New York, and moved to California by myself, without knowing anyone, when I was 21 to attend grad school. I lived in California for 13 years and moved to the Midwest during the pandemic to be closer to family. I have an office in DCL and you just might catch me wandering around campus.
Morning person or night owl?
Night owl, for sure. Please don’t schedule a meeting with me before 9 a.m.
“Behind the Screens” is a series of stories highlighting a different member of Technology Services each month so that you can get to know who we are and what we do for our university.