Abby Hill, a student from Gwinner, North Dakota, shared on Mar. 31 her experiences and motivations as a Computer Information Systems (CIS) major at Valley City State University (VCSU). Hill is set to graduate in 2026 and is also pursuing certificates in Enterprise Applications, Customer Relationship Management, and Cybersecurity.
Hill said she chose VCSU because of the academic scholarship she received, which allowed her to attend college without taking on student loans. She said the close-knit campus environment was another important factor: “I thrive in spaces where I am not just another number. At VCSU, I have been able to build meaningful connections with professors and peers.”
Her interest in technology began early due to family influences. “Growing up around technology inspired my choice to major in Computer Information Systems (CIS). My grandmother and father both taught computer classes, and that early exposure sparked my curiosity,” Hill said. She added that concerns about online safety led her to create Digital Defenders, an initiative focused on educating youth about cybersecurity.
Hill described Social Implications of Computers as her favorite course so far. “At first, it was intimidating to be the only female in the class, but I chose to see it as a challenge,” she said. Her research project on the Dark Web helped deepen her understanding of cybersecurity issues from both technical and ethical perspectives.
Discussing challenges faced as a woman in a male-dominated field, Hill said: “Being in a male dominant field has challenged me to be confident in my abilities… Over time, I realized that competence speaks for itself.” She encouraged other students interested in CIS not to be intimidated by what they do not know at first: “You do not have to know everything coming in; you just need to be willing to learn. Stay curious, ask questions, and practice consistently.”
