Elise Esparza
Elise is an aspiring cybersecurity and marketing professional with a proven track record of success. She brings hands-on experience in information security operations, digital campaigns, and student mentorship. Elise is passionate about leading initiatives, building customer relationships, and enhancing security awareness through visual media and training content, bridging technology and communication into secure, engaging solutions. A student at The University of Texas at San Antonio, Elise is pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration in both Cybersecurity and Marketing.
During her internship at Veritex Community Bank as an Information Security Analyst, she collaborated with professional team members to enhance security operations and support initiatives that strengthened the organization’s security posture. She now works as an Information Security Analyst, continuing these initiatives while also analyzing metrics and data to support risk reviews.
When asked what drove her to choose her major, Elise responded, "I found cybersecurity to be a path that could open up opportunities in many different fields; however, my dream was to go into the FBI. When I learned that I could graduate in two and a half years, I considered adding a minor, but then thought about pursuing another major instead. By choosing marketing, I was able to combine my love for sales and creativity. With two majors, my opportunities grew, which ultimately helped me land my first internship.”
Elise recounts that the most important lesson she learned is that you have to pave your own path. No one will do it for you, and the effort you put into your future will reflect in your results. She emphasizes this point by noting the balance between motivation and discipline. Finally, her favorite quote comes from Eleanor Roosevelt: "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."
UTSA’s San Pedro I building, home to UT San Antonio’s new College of AI, Cyber and Computing.
Image from OverlandPartners.com
