Ricardo Ayala

Ricardo Ayala ’25 is a junior UTSA Honors College student on a trajectory toward success in cybersecurity. He is the recipient of the Bold Promise scholarship, in addition to others, which have significantly helped him avoid financial barriers that might have stood between him and his education. Born to parents who immigrated from Mexico to San Antonio, Ricardo is both a first-generation college student and a firstgeneration American.

With a deep appreciation for his heritage, it has been incredibly important for Ricardo to bridge his cultural roots with his university experience. Ricardo stands out as the only male dancer in Ballet Folklórico de UTSA, an ensemble showcasing the essence of Mexican dances.

Off-stage, Ricardo has volunteered at the Center for Refugee Services in San Antonio through the Honors College’s CityMester program. He also serves as a Resident Assistant while interning at UTSA’s Cyber Operations Center, where he gains firsthand knowledge about the challenges of cybersecurity.

I’m incredibly grateful for the Bold Promise scholarship. There are so many students, like me, that never envisioned attending college during their upbringing … Receiving a scholarship is what showed me I could succeed, achieve my goals, and hopefully inspire others.

In addition, he plays a critical role in voter education and registration among his fellow students on campus. In 2023, he joined University Technology Solutions as a Bold Ambassador and took part in the Alvarez College of Business’ Emerging Leader Series, along with the San Antonio Language Academy (SALA).

Ricardo will graduate in 2025 and he plans to focus on advocating for groups who are vulnerable to cyber threats such as new American citizens. By combining his academic knowledge with his strong sense of justice, Ricardo Ayala is set to make a mark in the world of cybersecurity. He credits the Bold Promise scholarship for allowing him to envision this incredible future for himself.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the Bold Promise scholarship. There are so many students, like me, that never envisioned attending college during their upbringing,” expressed Ricardo. “With Spanish being my first language, navigating public schools while growing up was difficult and intimidating. I felt lost and I didn’t know who to go to for advice about higher education opportunities because my parents never attended college. Receiving a scholarship is what showed me I could succeed, achieve my goals, and hopefully inspire others.”

-Jordan Allen, Development Writer