Deborah Kariuki is a former software engineer for 16 yrs who is currently a Clinical faculty at the University of Maryland Baltimore City (UMBC). She is tasked with creating a masters of Computer Science Education program which is the only one of its kind in Maryland and one of a handful programs in the country. She is also currently a MIT- Inspire CS-AI Fellow , an ISACA SheLeadsTech Ambassadors, and a WiCyS- Women in CyberSecurity Mentor. Deborah is known and considers herself as a computer science evangelist. She has been awarded many awards as a software engineer and a computer science educator but the awards she values best are the NCWIT educator award and BlackcomputeHer Sistah award. This is because these awards reflect her passion for educating the next generation of computer scientists and especially girls in computing

What are you most proud of in your work or life?

Mentoring and teaching students who had no idea what is computer science and are now doing wonderful in the field.

What are your passions and hobbies?

Mentoring Cyber Security, Training teachers to teach computer science, Driving Cross country, traveling around the world and trying all sorts of foods from different cultures.

Do you have a personal motto or other words to live by?

“Every Child needs a champion”

Favorite snack food?

Jalapeno baked chips

A fun fact?

I love old, very old country music