You can count Siinboon Daba among those naturally inclined toward IT. The fourth-year University of Cincinnati cybersecurity student has known he wanted to work in a computer-focused field since an early age, when he first found himself drawn to the digital world.

“I've used technology since I was like 4 years old,” says Daba. “Whether it was playing games, watching YouTube or actually doing technical stuff on the computer, I always had an affinity for technology. Interacting with it, using it to disseminate information and automate things and just be more efficient in the things that I do—that's kind of the heart of information technology.”

Daba’s older brother had attended UC, so Daba knew the institution was an option—though the Columbus, Ohio, native initially had another university in his sights. But when he took a close look at what, exactly, he was interested in doing for a career, the School of Information Technology (part of UC’s College of Education, Criminal Justice, Human Services, and Information Technology, or CECH) and its cybersecurity program made for an obvious choice.

“I didn't want to go the computer science route because I wasn't that passionate about engineering, but I was still passionate about tech,” he explains. “So when I had to make that decision, I'm like, this is the school for me. And UC's co-op program was a big sell.”

Another big draw? UC’s 4+1 program, which enables him to pursue an MBA as he works toward a bachelor of science in cybersecurity. “I was like, if I'm going to come in with so many credits, I might as well just throw this master’s in and graduate in the same time as if I didn't come with any credits,” he says, explaining that he benefitted from the College Credit Plus program in high school. “Overall, I just felt like UC made a lot of sense for me.”

UC has surely met Daba’s academic needs, and he was recently recognized at the 2024 SoIT Academic Achievement & Alumni Dinner as one of two 4.0 students (alongside Elsy Prempeh) in the school – an honor he prefers to take in stride. “I felt really good about it, but this is just the checkpoint. I didn't get here because I wanted the recognition but because I wanted to be the person capable of doing that.”

And Daba is eager to take his newly learned skills outside of the classroom and into the world, already completing internships with organizations such as DMG and Procter & Gamble. Next summer he’ll return to P&G for a project management internship.

Beyond campus and co-ops, though, Daba has found a wealth of meaningful opportunities at the university, too. “I couldn't be any happier that I chose this to be my school,” he says. “I've found people who not only empower me but who I also connect and bond with. And not only for the friends that I made, but the realization of the type of person that I could be because of what this school has to offer.”

Daba has certainly stayed active and connected as a student, currently serving as co-vice president of the African Student Association; co-founder and programming chair of UC US Coalition (an organization aimed toward spreading awareness about domestic violence, human trafficking and sexual assault within the Cincinnati area); and public relations chair for the UC Collegiate Black Men’s Honorary. He’s also an active member of the Cincinnatus Society and Sigma Sigma. At the college level, he serves as a CECH ambassador and, in a role close to his heart, mentors younger students through the Student Success Coaching program.

Lest you get the idea that Daba is all work and no play, know that he is also an avid traveler who ranks recent trips to Jamaica and Seattle among his favorite forays up to this point.

He has a bucket list of getaway destinations, too, topped by a visit to his parents’ home country, Ethiopia, which he hopes to visit on the Africana Studies Department’s annual trip next year. And he really wants to stamp his passport on the continent of Europe, he says. “Specifically, I want to see Spain, I want to see Italy, and I want to see Germany. Those are the three main places I really, really want to check out.”

So to recap: Siinboon Daba is a 4.0 student concurrently pursuing BS and MBA degrees. He’s a member of a laundry list of organizations at the university and college levels. And, in his spare time, he maintains numerous close friendships and travels the world. Which begs the question … how? Does he even sleep?

“One of my older cousins had told me before I got to college, I guess this formula,” he says with a laugh. “In college there are three things you have to weigh – your grades, your social life and your sleep. I realized that you can really can get two and a half of those three based on how good your time management is. It's just those little decisions you make throughout your day. Time management is everything, honestly.”

From meaningful campus connections to classroom success to once-in-a-lifetime social experiences – Daba’s time at UC will surely be something special for him to reflect on in the coming years. Which is, of course, the whole point. “I couldn't have asked for anything better when it comes to a university experience.”