Maria Marquez led by example both at the University of North Georgia (UNG) and in her family. The first-generation college student, who earned a degree in cybersecurity in May 2021, hopes to inspire others like her.
"I was one of the few female students in cybersecurity," Marquez said, adding few Latinas pursue studies or careers in cybersecurity. The 2018 Cybersecurity Workforce Study showed women make up 24% of the cybersecurity workforce. "I see myself as a trend-setter because not many females go toward male-dominated careers."
Marquez was a Gainesville Campus representative who gives Undergraduate Admissions tours of UNG and was a member of Tri-Alpha, a national honor society for first-generation college students that launched a chapter on UNG's Gainesville Campus in February 2020.
Plus, Marquez's success inspired her sister's desire to attend college.
"It makes me feel like I'm doing something right," said Marquez.
The Gainesville, Georgia, native started off in the information systems Bachelor of Business Administration degree program, but once UNG launched a cybersecurity degree in fall 2018, she shifted gears. She was one of 30 UNG students to complete all seven tasks in the 2019 NSA Codebreaker Challenge, a national competition in which UNG quadrupled second-place Georgia Tech's point total.
"Maria was one of only 50 students in the nation to complete the toughest cyber competition in the nation this year," said Dr. Bryson Payne, professor of computer science and director of UNG's Center for Cyber Operations Education. "She's exactly the kind of leader and problem-solver defense agencies and corporate information security firms are looking for."
Marquez appreciated the small class sizes at UNG that allowed for regular one-on-one interactions with faculty members. Marquez enjoyed being able to help her fellow students understand the material, as well. She took her role as a leader seriously.
"Sometimes people don't see how much work you have to put into it," Marquez said. "They just see the end result."
