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Safia Mendez

1x

Finalist

1x

Winner

General information

Gender
Female
Ethnicity
Black/African, Hispanic/Latino
Religion
Christian
Church
Pentecostal

Hobbies & Interests

  • Information Technology (IT)
  • Business And Entrepreneurship
  • Blogging
  • Photography and Photo Editing
  • Public Relations
  • Finance
  • Marketing
  • Student Council or Student Government

Reading

  • Business
  • Personal Development
  • Design
  • Leadership
  • Academic

I read books multiple times a month.

Bio

Computer Science student with a deep interest in cybersecurity and web development. I’m currently pursuing an Associate Degree in Cybersecurity and hope to continue on to a Bachelor's in Computer Science. With your support, I have the chance to take one step closer to that goal. Throughout my journey, I’ve gained experience through internships, volunteer work, and hackathons that have helped me grow both technically and personally. One of the most meaningful moments was teaching students from a school for the hearing impaired how to build an LED light show, a reminder that even small skills can spark connection. I'm always learning and looking for new ways to grow, give back, and help make tech more inclusive. You can learn more about my contributions and experiences here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/safia-mendez/

Education

Saint Leo University

Bachelor's degree program

2025 – 2027

Majors:
  • Computer Science
Minors:
  • Business Administration, Management and Operations
GPA3.9 GPA

Saint Leo University

Associate's degree program

2023 – 2025

Majors:
  • Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other
GPA3.9 GPA

Saint Leo University

Associate's degree program

2023 – 2025

Majors:
  • Computer Science
GPA3.9 GPA

Miscellaneous

Desired degree level:
Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)
Graduate schools of interest:
Howard College
Majors of interest:
Computer Science, Medicine
Medical school interest:
Yes

Career

  • Marketing Assistant

    Information Technology and Services · Port.dev(Acquired by Commsor)

    Jan 2021 – Jan 2021

  • Senior Executive Secretary

    Non-Profit Organization Management · COP International

    Jan 2021 – Jan 2024

  • Office Administrator/Department Lead

    Logistics and Supply Chain · MVP Imports

    Jan 2024 – Jan 2025

  • Web Developer

    Information Technology and Services · Next Step Digital Solutions

    Jan 2025 – Jan 2025

Miscellaneous

Dream career field:
Biotechnology
Dream career goals:
Biomedical-Engineering
Has nursing license:
No

Future Interests

  • Advocacy
  • Politics
  • Volunteering
  • Philanthropy
  • Entrepreneurship
This Woman's Worth Inc. Scholarship
Why I Am Worth the Dreams I Aspire to Achieve? I am a first-generation college student, the daughter of a woman who never had the chance to finish school and the sister of a young girl watching closely to see what is possible. When I choose to pursue my dreams, I’m not just doing it for me I’m doing it to widen the path for those who come after me. That alone makes me worth the dream I’m chasing. My dream is to become a Cybersecurity professional and a future leader in technology. I’ve chosen this field because I want to solve real-world problems, especially those that disproportionately impact the most vulnerable: the elderly, children, and underserved communities who are often left behind as the world becomes increasingly digital. Cybersecurity is more than a career to me; it is how I intend to protect, educate, and empower. I’m not walking an easy road. There are days when the challenges of balancing financial hardship, school responsibilities, and the pressure of being a role model feel overwhelming. I’ve had to pause my education before due to lack of resources, but I never lost sight of the goal. I used that time to grow, to serve, and to prepare. I am now pursuing an Associate’s in Cybersecurity and a Bachelor’s in Computer Science, not just for the title, but for the impact I know I can make. I am worth this dream because I keep showing up. I fix problems, not just with technology, but with persistence. I’ve helped family members navigate tech issues, volunteered to teach digital safety, and taken every obstacle as an opportunity to rise. I’ve turned doubt into drive and setbacks into stepping stones. And I dream loudly, not just for myself, but for every woman who’s been told she has to shrink her ambitions. For every woman who wants more but is afraid to get it for some reason or the other. I dream for my sister, so she can grow up believing she can break into any room, any field, any future. I dream for my mother, so she knows that her sacrifices were not in vain. And I dream for the girls in my community who need to see someone who looks like them standing tall in a male-dominated field, not just surviving, but thriving. I am becoming that woman. I am building that future. And that makes me more than worthy.
Emerging Leaders in STEM Scholarship
I didn’t grow up thinking of myself as someone who would pursue a career in tech. But looking back, the signs were always there. I was the one my family called when the TV screen went dark, the phone froze, or the Wi-Fi stopped working. I didn’t always know the answers, but I was determined to figure them out. What started as a series of small household fixes slowly became a genuine curiosity about how things worked and how I could make them better. I am interested in Cybersecurity and Computer Science because I want to challenge myself. I want to take on something that forces me to grow in new ways and pushes me to become someone more capable, more resilient, and more prepared to face complex problems. Studying this field is not just about earning a degree. It is about discovering what I am capable of on the other side of a challenge. Cybersecurity, in particular, draws me in because it centers on protecting people. It is not just about systems and networks. It is about the children who are exposed to online dangers without knowing how to protect themselves. It is about the elderly who are often targeted by scams. It is about entire communities who are affected by misinformation and digital threats. I want to be part of the solution. I want to use what I learn to help create safer digital spaces and empower people with the knowledge they need to protect themselves. The impact I hope to make begins with education. I continue to lead digital literacy efforts in my community, helping others understand the basics of cybersecurity in ways that feel practical and accessible. Whether I am showing someone how to identify a phishing attempt or explaining how to secure their personal data, I have seen how powerful even simple tools and information can be. I want to take that work further and reach people who may not have access to these resources otherwise. My journey has not been without setbacks. Financial hardship forced me to pause my studies, and I have had to work through moments of uncertainty and self-doubt. But those experiences have only deepened my commitment. They taught me how to stay focused, how to adapt, and how to keep moving forward even when the path is unclear. I know what it means to start over and what it takes to keep going. This is why I have chosen to pursue an Associate’s degree in Cybersecurity and a Bachelor’s in Computer Science. Not for prestige, but for purpose. I am motivated by the chance to build something meaningful, to protect those who are vulnerable, and to use my skills for good. I am committed to continuing this work, not just in the classroom but in my community, where I can help bridge the gap between technology and the people it serves. With every challenge I take on, I move closer to the future I want to create, one where technology is not just powerful, but also safe and accessible. This is the kind of impact I hope to make. And I am ready to do the work it takes to get there.
Cybersecurity for Your Community Scholarship
In my home country Jamaica, cybercrime has become a quiet epidemic, preying on the vulnerable from children bullied through social media to elderly citizens tricked out of their life savings. This isn’t just our story; it echoes across nations where digital access outpaces digital education. A tech journalist I met, Lindsay Mattis, reminded me that the battle for safety in the future won’t be fought with weapons, but with awareness, defense, and access. That’s why I chose cybersecurity as my major: to protect, to educate, and to shift the narrative in communities like mine. I’m committed to using every skill I learn to ensure that those most often left behind are the ones most powerfully defended.
Safia Mendez Student Profile | Bold.org