Computer Science, Cybersecurity & Networking Double Major Shapes Campus Life, Rethinks Wearable Tech

BRISTOL, R.I. – Riley King has built a reputation at Roger Williams University as a trailblazer who maximizes his academic and extracurricular opportunities to create meaningful impact on campus. No stranger to solving complex problems under pressure, the senior from Bow, N.H. has fused technical expertise and innovation with leadership throughout his time at RWU.

A double major in Computer Science and Cybersecurity & Networking with a minor in Mathematics, King has embraced the power of interdisciplinary learning, applying his knowledge both in and out of the classroom. He recently led the Roger Williams University team in the Northeast Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (NECCDC), where students from 10 regional universities defended simulated networks from real-world cyberattacks.

“RWU has given me the freedom to explore different fields and apply what I’ve learned in real-world scenarios,” King said. “It’s one thing to study something in class, but when you put it into practice is when you truly grow. Leading our NECCDC team taught me how to balance different personalities and skill sets. In high-pressure competitions, it’s all about how well you can communicate and work together to solve problems in real time.”

As a junior, King and a group of like-minded students founded the Computer Science and Scripting Club (CSSC), eager to explore new programming languages, tackle hands-on projects, and learn from one another. With the encouragement of faculty mentors, the club quickly became a hub for collaboration, drawing in students from different backgrounds and skill levels. For King, the club has become a community where he can take initiative, build something meaningful, and bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application.

“Roger is, in some ways, a blank slate, especially when it comes to extracurriculars,” King said. “Professors here are willing to support students who take the initiative. After CSSC was founded, some Computer Science professors reached out to say, ‘We’ve always wanted this, but we needed students to take the lead.’ There’s a real drive among professors to be involved, not just in education but in fostering a sense of belonging.”

Looking beyond graduation, King’s passion for athletics has played a key role in shaping his professional ambitions. As a dedicated hiker and former Track & Field athlete, he has long been fascinated by the science of physical performance. But it wasn’t until he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in high school that his interest in health technology became personal. Managing his condition required constant monitoring, and he quickly realized the potential for technology to bring together biometric tracking and real-time health management.

Inspired by companies like Garmin and the growing potential of AI-driven biometric technology, King envisions a future where wearable fitness devices go beyond step counts and heart rate monitoring. He hopes to develop smarter, real-time health monitoring systems that not only assist athletes but also transform the way medical diagnostics are conducted.

“With so much information at our fingertips, the challenge isn’t access; it’s knowing where to start,” King said. “As someone with Type 1 diabetes, I’ve become interested in how medical devices work and how they can integrate with traditional fitness tracking to improve health and performance. What if a fitness device could constantly communicate with a glucose sensor, adjusting insulin levels based on exertion? That kind of instant feedback is powerful, and I want to develop technology that makes it even more seamless and intuitive.”

As King prepares to graduate, he is set on staying at the forefront of technological innovation, whether that leads him to graduate school or a career next.