Bria Gibson
Bria Gibson University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) ’25, Major: Information Systems
Bria Gibson is a senior at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), majoring in Information Systems. This summer, she is supporting the Fund for Johns Hopkins Medicine’s Department Programs office. Bria plans to use what she learns from this internship to become an advocate that provides more STEM-related opportunities for individuals in her community.
Connect with Bria and read her profile here:
What drew you to this opportunity?
The program’s vision, mission, and value statements aligned with my belief of what I think is necessary to succeed in my chosen field, which is Information Systems. Last year when I was part of the internship, I really enjoyed working with the OMAG team and the other interns along the way. All of them made me feel very accepted, which is what made this experience very enjoyable for me. The skills and tools that I’ll gain this summer as a returning ORIGINS intern will help me be able to get out of my comfort zone and be more confident in myself while also guiding me into the right path of moving forward with my career goals.
What are you most excited about during your internship?
With me being a returning intern from last summer, I’m very excited to grow more not just professionally but also individually. Also, I’m very excited to meet the new interns and other returning interns to either reconnect or build new relationships with them.
What is your most memorable college experience?
Meeting the former president of UMBC, Dr. Freeman Hrabowski will probably always be my most memorable moment throughout my college experience due to the lasting impression it left on me. During my 2nd year of college, we were having a long, deep conversation, where Dr. Freeman Hrabowski shared his personal journey and experiences growing up in the segregated United States. He highlighted his outstanding work as the president of UMBC, where he successfully transformed the institution into a leading research university while ensuring inclusion and diversity were included. His dedication to empowering young minds and promoting diversity in STEM was truly inspiring. Throughout our conversation, Dr. Hrabowski encouraged me to become an agent of change in my own community. His belief in the potential of every student left me feeling very motivated and inspired to make a positive impact. I am grateful for the opportunity to have engaged in a conversation with a visionary leader like him before he officially retired in 2021, and I am very determined to carry his message forward in my pursuit of creating a more inclusive and diverse environment in the future. One quote he would always say that struck me was, “Watch your thoughts, they become words. Watch your words, they become actions. Watch your actions, they become habits. Watch your habits, they form your character. Watch your character because it shapes your destiny.”
Where do you want to be in 10 years, and how can this internship help you get there?
In 10 years, I plan to work as a software networker in a technology company while planning to start a STEM program in Baltimore City to provide underprivileged children with the same opportunities as their more privileged peers. This would allow me to contribute to my community by introducing underrepresented groups, particularly in my city, to opportunities in STEM. I want to show children who come from similar backgrounds as me that they have the potential to succeed in this field. Most schools do not offer technology or STEM related programs. My goal is to change this. I will apply the knowledge I gain through this internship for a second time to benefit the community by increasing awareness of opportunities in STEM-related fields to underrepresented groups in Baltimore and eventually nationwide.
What does philanthropy mean to you?
Giving back to the community and working towards the betterment of society as a whole. You must be determined to make a positive impact and improve the lives of others within the community.
What excites you most about spending your summer in Baltimore?
Being able to spend lots of time with my friends and travel to North and South Carolina with my family. Also, attending Orioles games at Camden Yards is always a great and exciting experience for me throughout the summer.
What is something you are passionate about?
Technology is something that I’ve always been passionate about. From an early age, I developed an interest in all things technological. The endless possibilities technology offers fascinated me, and as I pursued this path, I realized its huge impact on shaping our world. I believe in making technology accessible and user-friendly for everyone, and I am committed to creating intuitive experiences that enhance usability in the future.
Please share one fun fact about yourself!
I recently gotten into jewel art and have recorded myself making some artworks that I may or may not post online someday.