Completing an online course or MOOC to earn a credential: (+3 Pts) - Class of 2027

I am currently completing the Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate through the Security and Privacy Lab at Spelman College. This online course focuses on key areas of cybersecurity, including network security, incident response, system administration, and risk management.

Through the program, I’ve developed a stronger understanding of how digital systems are protected and how cybersecurity professionals respond to potential threats. One of the most valuable aspects has been learning about data privacy and ethical responsibility, which directly connects to my interests in intellectual property protection and tech policy.

Working on the certification has pushed me to think critically about how cybersecurity extends beyond technology—it’s also about protecting people’s information, creativity, and rights. Completing this program alongside my coursework has strengthened both my technical foundation and my confidence in pursuing a career at the intersection of technology, law, and equity.

This experience demonstrates the Honors Program’s values of academic enrichment and career development, and it has inspired me to continue exploring how cybersecurity can be used to promote fairness and trust in digital spaces.

– Arianna Smith-Forte