After arriving at Anderson University, many students report that they immediately feel at home. This was the case for Nick Fowler, a senior cybersecurity and data analytics major and theatre minor from Round O, South Carolina. Nick was originally set on attending another college. But after touring AU on a whim, it became clear to Nick that this was where he belonged.

“It was one hundred percent a God thing,” he says.

Unlike most, Nick’s transition to college was quite smooth, which he attributes to how easy Anderson makes it to get involved and acclimated to campus life. “I had a surprisingly easy time,” Nick says. “I mean, they give you so many easy ways to get plugged in.” One of these ways is West Fest, Nick’s favorite campus event. “Anything that gives me an excuse to put on a flannel, jeans, boots, and a cowboy hat, dude, sign me up,” Nick says.

Nick always knew that he wanted to study cybersecurity. For as long as he can remember, he has always been fascinated by computers. What really solidified his decision was when he joined a group in high school called Cyber Patriot, a cyber defense competition led by the United States Air Force. Through Cyber Patriot, Nick realized that he had a desire to help people and that cybersecurity offered him a way to do that by serving “other people through helping them be safe.”

Nick especially appreciates the number of personal connections he has been able to make through his cybersecurity major. When he first came to AU, the cybersecurity program had only been active for a few years, so Nick had the opportunity to connect with some of AU’s first cybersecurity majors. Additionally, because each of his classes had about 10 people, Nick grew close with upperclassmen as well as professors such as Professor Brandon Grech. Nick says he is one of the people who invested the most in him not only as a cybersecurity major, but also as a person. “Growing so close to that many people super early on was so nice,” Nick says.

Another way Nick found community within his major is through AU’s cyber team, a group of people who participate and prepare for National Cyber League (NCL). “It’s a way to get all of the teams together,” Nick says. “Pretty much everybody can come together and work on this stuff together and learn more and practice for the upcoming games.”

Nick also considers himself quite a creative person and has enjoyed the many opportunities he has had to be creative at AU. As a theatre minor, Nick performed in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Grease, Our Town, Seussical and, most recently, Dancing at Lughnasa. That has provided even more connection. “As soon as you get involved,” Nick says, “it immediately feels like a family.” And it’s not just his fellow students; Nick pointed to professors Natalie Wilson and Andrew Wilson as part of his new-found community. “Both of them have had a huge impact on my life as an actor, as a person and somebody doing creative things,” Nick says. “The way that they carry themselves is such an amazing example of Christ-like love.”

He’s found community outside the classroom and beyond the stage, too. Nick joined Anderson University’s Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM) and says there he’s found valuable friendships and significantly grown as a person.

Nick wants to pursue a career as a security operations center analyst, but cybersecurity’s flexibility leaves him with many options. “With cyber, you can end up literally anywhere,” he says. “It’s an extremely flexible field and AU does a great job touching on all of that.” Nick wants to continue working on stage, too. “I want to do theatre for as long as I’m able because I think it is one of the more beautiful forms of storytelling,” he says.

Nick has advice for incoming students: “Do as much as you can to do as much as you can.” Although you are here to get a diploma, he says, there is wisdom in branching out beyond the classroom. “It’s like, yes, that’s great, and that’s why you’re going,” he says, “but you’re never going to get that time back.” To Nick, the people you meet are just as valuable as the diploma and are a big part of why university is so important.

To sum up his time at AU, Nick only needs three words: Thank you, God.

“If you had told me four years ago what I’m doing now and how I am now, I wouldn’t have believed you,” Nick says. “Thank you, God. It’s truly life-changing.”

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*Featured testimonials and student success stories reflect the experiences of individual students. These stories may not be indicative of the experience for all students. Employment outcomes and job titles are not guaranteed, and results may vary based on individual circumstances, job market conditions, and other factors.