Niara Richards

Cyber Scholar, Y7
Major: Computer Science

I am a freshman from Chicago and greatly looking forward to being a part of Cyber Scholars program/community. Ever since I was little, I wanted to be a detective, however, in high school I learned more about the field of computer science and became interested in cybersecurity. I am looking to pursue a career in computer forensic investigation, combining my interest in detective work and cybersecurity. As a Cyber Scholar, I hope to learn even more about the field of cybersecurity and get early start on work experience in the field. Along with these interests, I am very passionate about vocal performance and social justice work. Some of my most memorable experiences in these areas have been performing in my high school’s Nutcracker Choir at Joffrey Ballet’s The Nutcracker. I also had a special opportunity to take a trip with my church to a Mayan village in Guatemala that was affected by the Mayan genocide in the 1980s. This trip gave me the chance to to connect with people in the community, listen to their stories, and learn about Mayan culture. At UMBC, I will continue to stay involved in the areas of music and social justice.