Bria Gibson
Bria Gibson University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) ’25, Major: Information Systems
Bria Gibson is a junior at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), majoring in Information Systems. This summer, she is supporting the Office of Medical Annual Giving (OMAG). 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.
What drew you to this opportunity?
The ORIGINS program’s mission to help people throughout the country really stuck out to me. The program’s vision, mission, and value statements aligned with my belief of what I think is necessary to succeed in my chosen field. The skills and tools I’ll gain this summer as an ORIGINS intern will help me become the change agent, I know I will be.
What are you most excited about during your internship?
Meeting all the team members and working with them to ensure that specific tasks are 100% completed to their fullest potential.
What is your most memorable college experience?
Meeting the former president of UMBC, Dr. Freeman Hrabowski left a lasting impression on me. During our conversation, 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 to 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 to benefit the community by increasing awareness of opportunities in STEM-related fields to underrepresented groups in Baltimore.
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 travel with my family and spending time with my friends.
What is something you are passionate about?
Volunteering is something that I’ve always been very passionate about. It was instilled in me from a young age by my family. I believe in giving back to those who are less fortunate than me, as I never know if I might need help in the future. Giving back to my community brings me great joy, and I am grateful for the opportunities that volunteering has provided me.
Please share one fun fact about yourself!
I know how to play a little bit of the piano with my eyes closed.