Growing up in East San Santonio and raised in the foster care system from age 4 to 7, Chloe Bruno has overcome significant adversity and is now earning her bachelor’s degree at Texas A&M University-San Antonio, preparing for an exciting career ahead.
Bruno is a senior majoring in cybersecurity, with her sights set on working for the Federal Bureau of Investigation after she graduates. She currently works part time as an IT help desk technician at the San Antonio Independent School District and volunteers with organizations including the San Antonio Food Bank and the Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving Dinner.
As part of her journey to A&M-San Antonio, Bruno received a scholarship from San Antonio Education Partnership (SAEP), a nonprofit that recently visited the University campus to create a video highlighting her success.
SAEP partners with local San Antonio high schools and each year awards $2.1 million in scholarships to nearly 3,000 college students. Bruno was a senior at Brackenridge High School when she was selected as a SAEP scholarship recipient.
“At San Antonio Education Partnership, we believe that every student has the potential to succeed when given the right support,” said Dr. Ana Acevedo, CEO of the nonprofit. “Through the SAEP Scholarship and Scholar Success services, we not only provide financial assistance but also ensure students like Chloe have access to resources, mentorship, and guidance they need to thrive in college and beyond. Their stories inspire us and remind us that investing in students strengthens the future of our entire San Antonio community.”
Having secured an SAEP scholarship, Bruno enrolled in A&M-San Antonio in 2022 due to the undergraduate and graduate degrees offered in cybersecurity. The University first offered a B.S. in cybersecurity in 2021 and a M.S. program two years later, recognizing the need to help strengthen the region’s cyber workforce. The University is one of nine Hispanic-Serving Institutions designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity by the National Security Agency. It’s also ranked as one of the country’s most affordable cybersecurity degree programs. Last year, the University hosted the White House Office of the National Cyber Director for a special event about cyber workforce opportunities and challenges.
Bruno, who is on track to graduate in December, first became interested in cybersecurity as a high schooler when she was accepted into the FBI Teen Academy.
“We got to go to the San Antonio FBI office and meet with agents who worked in cybersecurity and digital forensics and see firsthand why what they do is so essential,” she said. “Cybersecurity really sparked my interest. I was able to see how easy it is for someone to be hacked, and how dangerous it can be for children on the internet. That opened my eyes to career opportunities.”
After she graduates, Bruno said she would like to earn a master’s degree and intern at the National Security Agency. Ultimately, she hopes to work as an FBI agent specializing in cybersecurity.
“That’s where I think I can make the biggest community impact,” she said.
After her time in the foster care system, Bruno and her four siblings were adopted by their grandmother, as their mother struggled with addiction issues and their father had been deported. She said that growing up she often felt isolated and secluded but stressed how her experience at A&M-San Antonio has given her the confidence to pursue her dreams.
“My time at the University has really been a foundation starter for me when it comes to thinking of my future,” Bruno said. “I no longer limit myself because of where I came from or my background. I've been able to establish connections that have really helped me in pursuing such a dynamic field. I'm grateful for A&M San Antonio’s support and for pushing me forward.”