Faces of 4D: Vanessa Onyeama Finds Purpose in the Human Side of Cybersecurity

This story was written by Tyla Panzera, graduate service assistant in Student Affairs, for Faces of 4D, a series that explores the diverse and complex ways in which the DU community lives the 4D Experience on campus, in their careers, and around the globe.

For DU graduate student Vanessa Onyeama, Malawi is the “Warm Heart of Africa” and “the warm heart of my own story.” That warmth has carried her across borders—first to South Africa at age 17, and then to the U.S. “My family is full of explorers,” she says. “They taught me the value of exposure and openness to others.”

Onyeama’s journey to DU was shaped by both place and purpose. “Growing up by Lake Malawi and later living near the Indian Ocean, I realized nature grounds me,” she says. “DU’s proximity to the Rocky Mountains felt like the perfect blend of academic rigor and a lifestyle connected to the outdoors.”

Onyeama is now a second-year graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in cybersecurity management through the College of Professional Studies, a path that grew out of her earlier studies in economics and law. “It sounds like an unusual path,” she says, “but it reflects my curious mind and my desire to explore big ideas from multiple angles.” She remembers one turning point clearly: “During law school, I took an IT law course and absolutely loved it. It made me realize how technology and law intersect in powerful ways.”

That intersection continues to inspire her. “With AI evolving so quickly, cybersecurity now sits at the center of conversations about privacy and risk,” says Onyeama. “I want to blend my legal background with cybersecurity to help organizations navigate this new era responsibly.”

Onyeama’s DU experience has been as much about personal growth as academic rigor. She participated in a retreat at the Kennedy Mountain Campus that was “transformative,” she says. “It pushed me to reflect on who I am, where I’m going, and how I want to show up in the world.” She also finds balance in fitness: “The Ritchie Center is one of my favorite places. It keeps me grounded physically and mentally.”

Looking ahead, Onyeama’s vision is clear. “I want to build a career in cyber governance, blending law and cybersecurity,” she says. “I hope to be part of teams shaping responsible, resilient security cultures.” She adds that she sees cybersecurity as more than technical defense. “Cyber is not just a technical challenge, but a human one. I want to help build systems that protect people, empower organizations, and strengthen trust in a digital world.”

Character, Onyeama says, will also help her navigate her career and life. “Character is who you are when no one is watching. It is your honesty, resilience, and willingness to keep learning.”

For Onyeama, DU’s 4D Experience feels like a mirror of her own journey. “I’m deepening my intellect through cybersecurity, developing well-being through fitness and community, discovering character by stepping into new cultures, and designing a career that blends law, technology, and service. DU has given me a place to build all four dimensions in a meaningful, balanced way.”