Thirty‑three individuals enrolled in a college laboratory course were potentially exposed to a bacterial organism after a vial labeled Neisseria meningitidis was stored alongside a nonpathogenic species in a shared freezer. University officials discovered the mix‑up during an incident response and notified state public health authorities, who assisted with risk assessment and sample testing. State public health laboratory analysis identified the organism as Neisseria sicca, a nonpathogenic relative of N. meningitidis. The misidentification resulted from an atypical carbohydrate fermentation pattern that led students to label the sample as the pathogenic species. Health officials recommended a ten‑day course of prophylactic antibiotics for all exposed participants; 32 of 33 began the regimen. Two individuals sought emergency care for headaches and underwent spinal taps, which did not confirm infection. The investigation found inadequate inventory controls for labeling, storing, and segregating biological materials, limited supervision of stockroom staff, insufficient personal protective equipment availability, and poor documentation of sample chain of custody. The university announced plans to revise its procurement and laboratory safety protocols in response to the findings. The incident highlights the importance of strict segregation and documentation of biological specimens in academic laboratory settings.