Commencement Spotlight: Nia Williams
Nia Williams, a 21-year-old Jackson, Mississippi native, will graduate on December
14 with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a concentration in Information
Assurance from the Albany State University College of Arts and Sciences. 
Williams is actively involved in campus life, serving as a member of the Velma Fudge Grant Honors Program and the Association of Computer Machinery.
She is dedicated to community service and has worked with organizations such as FIRST Tech Robotics, Friendship Baptist Church, and the ASU campus beatification service initiative.
Her accomplishments include being an IBM Scholar, Student of the Year (Fall ’23 - Spring ’24), Highest Ranking Junior (Fall ’23 – Spring ’24), a Thurgood Marshall College Fund Institute Scholar and scholarship recipient, and Battle of the Brains participant.
Williams’s professional development includes interning with CrowdStrike as a project management and customer assurance intern. She also interned with Wells Fargo as a data analyst.
Looking ahead, Williams will work as an Associate Governance, Risk, and Compliance
Specialist with top global cybersecurity company, CrowdStrike.
What motivated you to learn more about your field?
In high school, I was fascinated by the idea of being a "security guard of the internet."
This curiosity led me to explore the world of cybersecurity, and I’ve been hooked
ever since.
Why did you choose ASU?
A family friend recommended the university to me. It also gave me the opportunity
to live far from home and experience personal growth in a new environment.
What do you love most about your chosen profession?
I love how challenging and engaging cybersecurity is. It keeps me intellectually curious,
always learning, and constantly improving.
Who has made the biggest impact on you and who do you consider to be a role model
at ASU?
Dr. Lyons has been one of the most impactful mentors in my journey. She was the reason
I joined the Battle of the Brains competition, where I earned a $5,000 scholarship
and landed my first internship with CrowdStrike. Her unwavering support and dedication
to holding me accountable has been instrumental in my growth. She not only encourages
but inspires, setting a standard that shaped my pace and propelled me forward. Her
influence has truly been life-changing.
What advice would you give to other ASU students?
Here’s a poem I made that sums up all of my advice.
You are in control of your story,
Every step shapes your glory
If you plan to succeed, you will
But failing to plan leaves you standing still
And when it comes to your education,
Push forward without hesitation
When you don’t feel like showing up
Do it anyway
When the rain pours, or times are tough
Do it anyway
Stayed out all week, feeling drained?
Do it anyway
Even when doubt clouds your day
Do it anyway
Because each small step will build your way,
To brighter tomorrows from today
What would you say to a high school student about choosing ASU to further their education?
Stay focused and have a plan. Life doesn’t end after college—that’s when it truly
begins.