Transfer Student Spotlight: Richard Flores
United States Air Force Veteran
Class of 2025
Degree:
Where are you from and what brought you to Marymount?
I was born in California but grew up in Colorado. After high school, I joined the Air Force and worked in Security Forces, which is similar to military police. I worked as a patrolman and later as a Base Defense Operations Center controller, which involved dispatching, alarm monitoring and incident coordination. I also deployed overseas to help train Iraqi police. That experience introduced me to aspects of digital forensics and Linux, sparking my interest in computers and cybersecurity.
After serving in the Air Force, I moved to Virginia and started at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) as a computer science major. I eventually switched paths after realizing coding wasn’t for me. I worked in EMS and retail management for a while, but after COVID, I decided to return to school for IT. During my final semester at NOVA, I attended a Marymount transfer event. I instantly loved the small class sizes and the welcoming atmosphere. I wanted to go to a smaller university, so Marymount felt like the perfect fit.
What has your overall experience as a transfer student been like?
It’s been great. The class sizes are even smaller than NOVA’s, and the professors are very focused and supportive. They’re constantly offering research opportunities and ways to get involved. I’ve found that if you show interest and talk to them, they’ll help connect you with meaningful experiences.
Initially, I was worried about feeling left out as a commuter student and a new transfer. But from day one, students were friendly and welcoming. Getting involved in clubs and campus activities made a big difference in helping me make friends and feel included. Early on, I went on an overnight rock climbing trip with members of the Grit and Grime League. That was super fun and helped me make friends and branch out. I also joined the Student Government Association last year as a senator because I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone and gain more leadership experience. I’m naturally introverted, but getting involved has helped me grow socially and professionally. Now I am going to be the SGA treasurer in the fall!
I’ve also found a great community in my program. There’s a very tight-knit group of students and professors in the IT, Cybersecurity and Computer Science programs who work together in labs and research. The professors genuinely care and actively help students succeed by offering opportunities.
What opportunities have you had through Marymount’s Cybersecurity program?
I had the opportunity to join a research project for the Army led by Dr. Alex Mbaziira focusing on red team operations. After that, I started working in the Cyber Clinic with Dr. Diane Murphy, which I’ve continued ever since. I have also participated in several cybersecurity capture the flag competitions, which helped me develop a better understanding of red team operations and how to best defend against cyberattacks.
All of these experiences helped me land my current internship as a security engineering intern with ECS. I’ve spent this summer working with their security engineering team and vulnerability management lead. We’re supporting a CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) project by mapping NIST security controls to standard operating procedures. It’s deepened my understanding of governance, risk and compliance frameworks.
The team’s been incredibly welcoming and trusting—they’ve given us real responsibilities from day one. I believe in CISA’s mission and enjoy working on the defensive side of cybersecurity in blue team roles. The team dynamic is great, and the work aligns perfectly with my interests. After graduation, I would love to continue with ECS as a contractor.
What advice would you give to other transfer students?
Don’t just go to class and leave. The value of college comes from what you do outside the classroom. Join clubs, attend events, work on campus if you can—really be part of the community. Also, take advantage of research projects, internships and certifications. I earned several certifications through NOVA and Marymount, which helped strengthen my résumé.
I’d encourage veterans to look into Marymount. There’s a small but supportive veteran community on campus and helpful advisors who have helped guide me through my Yellow Ribbon benefits paperwork.
