2026 PSD Business and Computer Information Systems: Mia Navarro
Cyber Defense graduate Mia Navarro didn’t have a direction in mind when she first came to Cypress College. It wasn’t that she was unmotivated; on the contrary, she spent her K-12 years joining myriad clubs and taking up several hobbies, undecided on which to pursue fully. One program she joined was for business and computer science. She needed an internship to complete the program and, after submitting several applications, wound up at her local library.
While digitizing historic files, she realized she enjoyed troubleshooting and fixing processes to maximize functionality. She had fun setting up and learning about hardware and software, and realized she wanted to build and examine cyber networks.
Cypress offered support to pursue her interests. She thanks counselors at EOPS for helping her navigate her journey through the college. She’s also grateful for the person who recommended to join the college’s cybersecurity team in her first year, to be part of a community of Cypress cyber mentors and tutors.
“Cypress has helped me in many ways with all the resources and programs they offer, it helped with a lot of burden and confusion I had throughout my experience in college and I had the best experience and time due to their support and resources from the EOPS program and Charger Experience which made me feel more welcomed and included in the campus life “
She plans to participate in internships and take more cybersecurity classes, to get a degree and work in the field, eventually gaining all the skills she can and becoming a mentor to future students who have fallen in love with this field.
Please tell us about yourself. Where did you grow up? What are your interests? What is your story?
My name is Mia Navarro, and I am from Orange County. Growing up, I never knew what I was passionate about until I attended Cypress College. I spent a lot of my years taking up a new hobby, signing up for different clubs as well as courses, hoping to find something that would eventually stick. In high school I joined the school’s academy technology program that touched on business and computer science. Although I didn’t have a direct passion towards those categories specifically, I did find the courses more enjoyable than any class I have taken, and I knew I was heading towards the right path into discovering myself. A requirement to graduate from the program was obtaining a summer internship, and after many rejections I found myself interning at the Haskett Branch Library in aid of their memory lab project. What I found was the most difficult, yet the most interesting part of my experience was troubleshooting work. I was in awe of the digitization process in which older and newer machines functioned all together to preserve memories for the community. I had fun setting up and learning about the hardware and software parts of each different machine. I knew right then I wanted to go towards a computer information systems path. I then discovered there was a concentration in cyber defense, and I was more than open to trying it out despite not having any prior knowledge. I found myself enjoying networking and cybersecurity a lot more than I expected, and I wanted to learn more. Instantly I knew that this was the one to stick with me.
What are you most passionate about? Why?
I am most passionate about helping others. Since a young age, I’ve always found myself helping others without being asked. I want to make people’s lives easier for them, and I enjoy the reward of seeing happiness on people’s faces when they receive support. I find this to be a beautiful connection between human beings. I am so grateful and joyous to have had the opportunity to be hired at Cypress as a cybersecurity mentor and teacher assistant, aiding high schools and the college on cyber courses and helping in other areas that are in consideration of the students, from competitions to accessibility work. I never get tired of helping students; I enjoy what I learn and love teaching it to the students a million times.
Why did you choose Cypress College?
Funny enough, I was originally committed to Fullerton College until I spoke with one of their counselors about my major and goals. They secretly suggested that I go over to Cypress instead. I was informed that Cypress College had an excellent cybersecurity program with a lot of opportunities and great professors that care, and they were right about that. I decided to take the leap and change my plans at the last minute. It was going to be a decision with a lot of effort and isolation with commuting, but I was determined to make it manageable for my educational goals, and I am so glad that I went on that path. I could not be more grateful for what my experience at Cypress College has given and offered me.
What have you been involved in at Cypress College? How has your path unfolded?
I enrolled in the EOPS program and Charger Experience when I first applied to college. Both programs have been an enormous help in my two years at Cypress College. They cared about my educational and career aspirations and were always supportive in curating plans as well as resources to help achieve my goals. I started off my first semester confused about my plans after graduation, and I am now finishing off my second year graduating with a destined plan and a lot of hope for the future. All thanks to the counselors in the EOPS program for navigating and aiding me throughout my journey. I was also fortunate enough to be recommended in the middle of my first year to be a part of the college’s cybersecurity team which consists of an awesome community of Cypress cyber mentors and tutors. It is an amazing experience that I cannot wait to get more involved in the following year and to be able to continue to help in the incredible programs they created that are Cyber Patriot and Superintendents Cup. They bring cybersecurity to elementary and high schools and curate a fun environment around learning, competitions, and ceremonies showcasing their efforts and skills they have learned, and I am so grateful to be a part of that team alongside incredible people. Especially as I think it is amazing that cyber security awareness is being taught and spread to schools around different districts starting from a young age. I never knew what cybersecurity was until college as it was never taught in my elementary or high school and now, I get the opportunity to train the next generation.
Share a memorable event or experience while you’ve been a Cypress College student.
A memorable experience I had here at Cypress College was obtaining my first industry certifications in my first semester. I remembered being so nervous as I had never taken a certification exam prior and was not sure what to expect from either the CompTIA or Cisco exam. I was dedicated and used all the resources my professors provided and hoped it was enough. I was scared to view the screen after hitting the submit button, and I just remember being so ecstatic when I opened my eyes to see “pass” on the screen for both exams. This moment was special as it solidified and encouraged me to keep going in this field. I wanted to learn and obtain more knowledge and certification.
Who are the faculty and staff (in your major, an academic or other support program, etc.) who have helped you get where you are today?
I really want to start off by giving recognition to Ben Izadi, a one-of-a-kind professor who truly cares about and sees the potential in his students. My favorite courses I have taken were all taught by him; he has an incredible way of teaching students, ensuring that they are learning and understanding the material as well as always checking up on each student, pushing them out of their comfort zone to do great things. I would like to give his famous cookie breaks an honorable mention as well. I am thankful to have been recommended by him to assist his classes as well as other professors’ classes. He has given me great opportunities and experiences regarding the field and continues to do so, as he is already planning to recommend me for the next round of the CENIC internship. I will dearly miss him when he retires. He had the greatest impact not only on me but also on all his former students, tutors, and staff. I would also love to mention Professors Russ and Franklin, whom I am also thankful to have the experience of assisting with as well as taking their courses. They are also professors who have had my back and are great at what they do. Ayman, in addition, is someone who has been very encouraging and positive in all my stressful moments of exam-taking at the computer lab. In addition, I would love to finally mention my go-to EOPs counselor, Eva Palomares, who has been with me since my first day of college. She is the sweetest and most caring counselor I have gotten to meet, and I would not have been able to graduate this spring with a set plan after graduation if it was not for her. I am also thankful for her.
How has Cypress College supported you throughout your time at the college?
Cypress has helped me in many ways with all the resources and programs they offer, it helped with a lot of burden and confusion I had throughout my experience in college and I had the best experience and time due to their support and resources from the EOPS program and Charger Experience which made me feel more welcomed and included in the campus life
What are your immediate plans after completing your studies at Cypress College (at your transfer institution, in the workforce, etc.)?
My immediate plans after completing my studies at Cypress College are to
hopefully undergo an internship during the summer at CENIC and, the following year, complete my lower division courses at Cypress College for an additional year while studying and taking extra certification exams on the side. I will also continue doing my cybersecurity tutor and mentor duties and help as much as I can. After the following year I plan to transfer to CSUSB to obtain a bachelor’s degree in information systems and technology with a cybersecurity concentration.
What are your long-term goals? What do you aspire to?
My long-term goal is to get my foot in the door to an entry-level job in the networking field and eventually make my way towards a network security role given that I enjoy both networking and cybersecurity. However, I do not mind if life takes me to a different security role or a full networking road. I would also consider becoming a professor, as I love the aspect of getting to introduce and teach people the fundamentals of cyber defense. I have so much fun doing it as a mentor and tutor and would love to still be able to do it again in the future as a professor.
What are you most proud of?
I am most proud of the person I have become within the past two years. I entered Cypress College as a shy, quiet person who was terrified of public speaking. Now I cannot stop talking and love to approach my students to check up on them as well as occasionally present slides in classes. I have become a lot more confident and will continue to keep growing and strengthening both my soft and hard skills.
What bit of advice would you give to current and future Cypress College students?
The advice I would give to current and future Cypress College students is to definitely always ask for help! There are a lot of resources at Cypress College that most people do not take advantage of, and the staff at Cypress are there because they love to do their job in helping and educating. If you are lost about something, they are happily willing to help. You should make your experience the best and smoothest possible; it is how you take advantage of the opportunities and resources you have in college that makes the experience.
Is there anyone in particular you’d like to thank?
I would like to thank my phenomenal parents who have supported and pulled through for me my entire journey. I could not be more grateful for all the sacrifices they’ve made for me to be in the position I am in today. I also would like to thank my two main cybersecurity coworkers and friends Diana and Ava who I had the fortune of meeting in my second year of college, despite the short time I have had with them they have had a great positive impact and influence on me during my remaining months of college. I am very glad to have had the fate of working closely beside them and getting to know them as people. Their company has brought me a lot of laughter and happiness. I wish them the best always and I hope to still have them close by my side in the following years.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Never belittle or limit yourself to start new, everyone is capable no matter their background or amount of experience. Remember that everything is achievable with the right mindset and attitude!