STC graduate receives master’s degree in Cybersecurity

South Texas College Computer Information Technology (CIT) alumnus Obed Ozuna acknowledges that he has always been the go-to computer guy.

Blessed with a mind for technology as well as a keen knack for diagnosing computer-related problems, Ozuna said he grew up performing maintenance on personal computers for friends and family.

“I used to do pc computer repair. I wanted to see how to fix computers and how everything worked so I learned how to diagnose computers and what leads to problems. Since then, I have moved on to a new field that involves protecting people,” Ozuna said.

Years later, he said it was only natural that an affinity for everything computer-related would lead to a strong interest in ethical hacking and cybersecurity tools; and through the CIT department at STC, he learned as much as he could about technology and its applications in the working world.

In 2018 Ozuna became an STC grad and went on to earn his master’s degree in Cybersecurity from Walden University in December 2022.

Ozuna also earned Computer and Internet Specialist and Computer Maintenance Specialist certificates at STC.

“I believe we have to keep improving people’s awareness for security while they are online,” he said. “It doesn’t take much at all to have your credentials compromised, this is why people in this line of work are really heroes on the back-end, doing the work that few really know about.”

Currently employed as a Technology Specialist at STC’s Starr County campus through the college’s Learning Commons and Open Labs department, Ozuna said he has also been brushing up on digital forensics and information security while eyeing a future career in STC’s Information Technology Department as well as a possible career with government law enforcement agencies.

“I have always held a deep appreciation for law enforcement, but aside from a career as a police officer, I wanted to do it on the back end,” Ozuna said. “The work that those in digital forensics do is extremely important because we have to match those criminals who are using all kinds of advanced technology to steal the information people hide within their computers, which often happens through unsecured networks or even something as common as pictures.”

Ozuna became well-known for his knowledge of computer systems and while at STC, faculty said they noticed his talents and considered him one of the top students in the CIT program at the time.

“His class projects were among the best submitted,” said CIT Instructor Nicholas Hinojosa. “In the Computer Programming Course, he created his own version of Space Invaders and in Advanced Web Design, he created an entire website dedicated to the popular video game series called Mega Man X. He always went above and beyond the minimum requirements for assignments and projects.”

Most recently Ozuna said he has been put in charge of managing, updating and installing computer hardware and software for students at STC’s Starr County campus library. The degrees and credentials he has earned, he said, have made him a well-rounded job candidate who can not only diagnose and repair computer systems, but who can utilize skills in coding, creating applications and databases as well as address cyber threats in business information systems.  

“To students entering this field I would tell them that it does take a lot of hard work and dedication, but if you are drawn to helping people and being their hero behind the scenes, then this might be the ideal place for you,” Ozuna said.

For more information about STC’s CIT program please visit bachelors.southtexascollege.edu/cit/.