Coding, Computers and Curiosity

At TCU, Gabby Campos ’26 found a place where her interests in technology, teaching and social impact intersect. A computer information technology and women and gender studies (WGST) student, Campos built a path grounded in both technical curiosity and people-centered values, with a growing focus on cybersecurity. 

From Early Curiosity to Cybersecurity 

“I cracked my first password, and I thought that was really cool,” Campos says. “I thought, ‘I want to do this for a living.’”  

This defining moment came in an introductory cybersecurity course. Though excited to start college, Campos entered TCU with no prior coding experience and some nerves about the academic rigor. Those doubts shifted to motivation as she leaned into the learning experience.  

At 17 years old, after saving up to buy her first personal computer, Campos began exploring how hardware worked, unknowingly laying the groundwork for her interest in cybersecurity.  

Her passion for STEM had started even earlier, when a middle school teacher noticed her aptitude for math and encouraged her to tutor her peers. That experience sparked a love for problem-solving and helping others, which would later guide her academic and career path. 

Learning Through Research and Mentorship 

Research became a defining part of Campos’ TCU experience.  
 
She explored gender dynamics on Twitch with Wendi Sierra, Ph. D., studied Native American pedagogy with Pablo Montes, Ph. D., and later served as a research assistant in the computer science department under Robin Chataut, Ph. D., examining how artificial intelligence could assist cybersecurity attacks through simulated environments. 

As a McNair Scholar, Campos gained valuable mentorship and hands-on experience that reinforced her plans for graduate school and research-based learning. 

Community, Purpose and Human Rights 

“The STEM Scholar community means everything to me,” Campos says. “I’ve made some of my closest friends this way.”  

Outside the classroom, the STEM Scholars community provided a sense of belonging.  
 
With her combined studies in WGST and computer information technology, Campos views privacy and digital security as a human right. 
 
She hopes to educate others on digital safety, raise awareness about online risks and create safer digital spaces for all.  

“Many people don’t take security seriously,” she says. “They don’t realize how exposed they are online.” 

Looking Ahead 

Now planning to pursue a Master of Science in cybersecurity, Campos reflects on a journey defined by growth, resilience and connection.  

What began as a love for math and helping others has evolved into a purpose-driven career path rooted in curiosity and compassion. 
 
At TCU, Campos didn’t just find her major – she found her direction and a mission to make an impact far beyond the classroom.