University of Advancing Technology's Official Technology Blog

Every graduating class has its standouts—students who go above and beyond in their academics, involvement, and personal growth. For University of Advancing Technology's (UAT) Class of 2025, that standout is Ozzy James, graduating with three Bachelor of Science degrees in Network Security, Network Engineering and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Ozzy not only mastered the classroom, but also embraced every challenge, built a strong community, and remained true to his values. 

When asked how he maintained academic excellence throughout his time at UAT, Ozzy’s answer was immediate and heartfelt: connections. “Having really good connections with friends and family, and strong faith in my beliefs—those were everything,” he shared. “They helped me through the tough times and reminded me to focus on myself. When I stopped taking care of myself, everything else started to fall behind.”

This balance—between academic dedication and personal well-being—proved to be the secret to his success. His cyber team, professors, and loved ones became his foundation, helping him stay grounded while reaching for big goals.

Two professors stood out as transformative influences: Professor Aaron Rodriguez and Dr. Briant Becote. “Professor Rodriguez was incredible. I had him for Personal Identification and Security—one of my favorite classes,” Ozzy recalled. “He’d sit down with us and make sure we really understood the material, and if he saw anyone struggling, he’d check in right away.” Then there’s Dr. Becote, who helped launch the UAT Cyber Ninjas team, which Ozzy now leads. “I met him in my CCDC class—Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition—and that’s where I really got into the hands-on side of ethical hacking. It’s something I’d always wanted to do, and he brought more and more of that to the school.”

College wasn’t without its challenges. The most difficult moments came when major projects like SIP (Student Innovation Project) and boards collided with regular coursework—and a job on top of that.

“It was overwhelming,” Ozzy admitted. “But leaning on my support system, especially professors like Dr. Becote and Professor Rodriguez, and just talking things out with friends—that helped a lot. Finding small ways to stay grounded made a big difference.”

What helped him the most? Learning that constantly grinding wasn't sustainable. “Focusing only on school put me in a bad mental space. Once I started putting more time into my faith, my family, and just giving myself a break, everything else started to fall into place.”

One of the biggest surprises during Ozzy’s college journey was personal growth—especially in confidence and communication. “In high school, I didn’t go out much. I didn’t really network or connect beyond my circle. But at UAT, my friends and professors pushed me to go to conferences like CactusCon, meet Arizona’s CISO, and attend AI talks and robotics events. That changed everything.” These experiences opened new doors—not just professionally, but socially and personally. “I’ve made so many connections, in cybersecurity and outside of it. It’s helped me see all the different aspects of this field.”

Post-graduation plans are still evolving, but Ozzy’s vision is clear: he wants to continue building community. “I’m looking for a job where I can do what I’ve done here—help others grow, stay connected, and raise awareness about cybersecurity threats. I want to keep leading, keep learning, and keep giving back.” In five to ten years, he sees himself still learning, and still deeply embedded in his field. “I love learning. I’ve always loved learning. Whether I’m leading a corporate team or mentoring students at a school, I just want to keep growing and helping others do the same.”

Ozzy’s advice to underclassmen and incoming students? Don’t make college only about school. “If you focus only on your studies, you’ll burn out. But if you focus only on having fun, you’ll miss the point. The key is balance—school, self-care, family, faith, and fun. When you find that balance, everything else starts to work.”

When Ozzy found out he was chosen as Valedictorian, it was a complete surprise. “I never aimed for recognition. I just wanted to do my best and learn everything I could. So finding out that my professors chose me to represent the class—it’s incredibly humbling. I honestly didn’t even know they voted on it,” he laughed. “But it feels amazing to know they believed in me.” Ever humble, he adds, “I think everyone’s hard work should represent our class, not just mine. But I’m honored.”

Congratulations Ozzy, we are so proud of you and can't wait to see what you accomplish in your future. 

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