NW Valley Times

Grand Canyon University (GCU) saw a remarkable achievement during its recent Commencement ceremony as Mercedes Rangel, a Navy veteran and cancer survivor, graduated with a bachelor's degree in Information Technology with an emphasis on cybersecurity.

Rangel's passion for technology was evident from a young age, as she recalled watching her mother, who was proficient in computers, tinker with technology. She shared, "I would watch her break down computers and bring them back up and mess with floppy disks and all that stuff. It was pretty cool to see that." Her early exposure to computers fueled her interest, and she excelled in troubleshooting problems even before pursuing formal education.

Having served in the Navy for eight years, Rangel found a deep connection with the diverse cultures and experiences within the military. She expressed her fondness for the community spirit, saying, "I have a lot of amazing people in my life now from being in the military ... so it’s just the community, the family relationship."

However, her journey took a challenging turn when she was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins Burkitt Lymphoma during her military service. Reflecting on her battle with cancer, Rangel said, “It’s an exposure cancer, so we don’t know necessarily what it was that caused it.” Despite undergoing intensive chemotherapy and eventually recovering, she was unable to return to the Navy but found solace in her family's support.

Following her recovery, Rangel decided to pursue higher education and chose GCU for her studies. Despite facing adversity, including her battle with cancer, she excelled academically and even found time to engage in CrossFit, a passion she developed during her time in the Navy.

Rangel's exceptional abilities in problem-solving and her passion for cybersecurity caught the attention of her professors at GCU. Deborah Haralson, one of her professors, described Rangel as having a unique "bloodhound's sense" for technology, while Dwight Farris praised her "exceptional ability to troubleshoot problems."

Looking ahead, Rangel expressed her desire to continue learning and growing in the field of technology. She mentioned the thrill of solving mysteries and clues in cybersecurity, stating, “You could think it’s one thing, but it can be something completely different, and so you have to figure out, why is that?”

As she graduated from GCU, Rangel reflected on her journey and expressed her gratitude for the support she received. She contemplates pursuing a master's degree while seeking opportunities to contribute her expertise and be a valuable resource in the tech industry.