Get to Know Sophia
Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Sophia Irizarry majored in cyber security while rising in the ranks of UTSA’s Air Force ROTC. After graduation, she plans to continue her bold future as an officer in the United States Air Force.
Earning Real-World Opportunities
Sophia’s commitment and proficiency as a student leader earned her a place among six students selected nationwide for the semester-long Cadet Exchange Program at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado. She also participated in the Academy’s inaugural Azimuth Summer Space Program, designed for cadets aspiring to join the U.S. Space Force.
Learning Life Skills
Sophia credits her involvement in Air Force ROTC with growing her as a leader and introducing her to remarkable people. “UTSA is a place where leaders are made whether you’re in the classroom or here in Air Force ROTC. All of us are striving to be more than just students,” she said. It also helped her learn practical life skills like time management and prioritizing.
Excelling in Air Force ROTC
A standout in the program, Sophia graduated as a distinguished leader from a rigorous 13-day training program at Maxwell Air Force Base, ranking second out of 380 cadets. In 2023, she received the Legion of Valor’s Bronze Cross for Achievement, a rare honor given to only four ROTC cadets nationwide, recognizing her academic, military, leadership and service excellence.
Taking Flight in the Future
As the cadet wing commander of AFROTC Detachment 842 during her final semester, Sophia taught cadets “the skills that they need to succeed, not only in the military, but also in their academics.”
Going forward, Sophia plans to commission into the Air Force as an intelligence officer. Reflecting on her time at UTSA and all that she’s learned, she said, “I’m really looking forward to applying these lessons wherever the Air Force takes me.”
"This university has really given me a sense of belonging and has prepared me with the tools that I need to get launched into my career and into the world."