Texas Border Business
By Joey Gomez
McALLEN, Texas – At just 17 years old, Maximiliano Rodriguez is already helping to safeguard the Rio Grande Valley’s digital future through an innovative Cybersecurity Clinic created by South Texas College, through a National Science Foundation Grant and the national Consortium of Cybersecurity Clinics.
Backed by a $467,000 grant, the clinic marks the Rio Grande Valley’s first initiative of its kind. The three-year program provides free cybersecurity services to small businesses and nonprofit organizations while giving students hands-on experience in areas such as risk assessment, vulnerability analysis, incident response planning and cyber defense strategies.
The Vanguard Academy senior, who is earning an associate degree in Cybersecurity through STC’s Dual Credit Programs, has already built a stellar resume that includes Information Technology experience through Vanguard, a cybersecurity apprenticeship shadowing professionals with the city of Pharr and now selection into the college’s inaugural Cybersecurity Clinic cohort.
For Rodriguez, it was a journey that began in eighth grade.
“I knew I was good with computers,” he said. “But when I took that first Cybersecurity class, it opened my eyes. It’s different. It’s about protecting people.”
That early exposure sparked a clear direction. Through dual credit, Rodriguez said he began working toward his associate degree while still in high school and to build the future he long envisioned.
“I started looking for opportunities beyond the classroom,” he said. “I wanted to apply what I was learning in a real-world setting.”
That mindset led him to apply to STC’s newly launched Cybersecurity Clinic, where he was chosen among 12 students from STC’s bachelor’s program in Computer and Information Technologies (BAT-CIT) as well as its Cybersecurity associate and certificate programs.
“It has been an incredible experience,” Rodriguez said. “Being surrounded by people who think like me, who want to make a career in Cybersecurity…it’s exciting. I’m helping my community and putting my knowledge to the test.”
Rodriguez and his teammates are currently preparing cybersecurity awareness training presentations while awaiting finalized agreements from participating organizations. Once deployed, they will work directly with businesses to help strengthen digital defenses under the supervision of faculty mentors.
“Cybersecurity is about helping. It’s about protecting and lending your expertise to others,” he said. “This is something that really resonates with my values.”
Faculty members say Rodriguez represents the next generation of cybersecurity professionals emerging from this region.
“Max has come a long way,” said Nicholas Hinojosa, CIT assistant professor and principal investigator for the Cybersecurity Clinic. “I’m looking forward to seeing all the great things he does, not only in the clinic, but in his future career.”
Rodriguez’s future is already taking shape. He has been admitted to the University of Texas at Austin where he plans to pursue a degree in Computer Science with a concentration in Cybersecurity. His long-term goal is to become a cybersecurity engineer.
Through all of his experiences at STC, Rodriguez said being part of the Cybersecurity Clinic brings special meaning.
“We are paving the way for the next group of students who are coming after us,” he said. “It’s innovation. It’s something the community really needs. So, to these future students I say ‘Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Find ways to help your community while building yourself up.’”
For more information about STC’s Cybersecurity Clinic visit southtexascollege.edu/academics/cybersecurity/clinic.html.
Information source: STC
