Alan Sonato‑Ruiz is a first-generation student at Appalachian State University, completing both a BSBA with majors in Computer Information Systems and International Business and a BS in Cybersecurity this spring.
Alan is the son of immigrant parents and grew up in a small town with fewer than 2,000 people. He set a quick pace from a young age, attending early college where he explored career options from architecture, engineering and psychology.
At just 19, Alan took his first graduate-level course through App State’s accelerated Master of Science in Applied Data Analytics program, reflecting both his ambition and academic curiosity.
Throughout his studies in the Walker College of Business, Alan has drawn motivation from a combination of personal values, his faith, and a strong support network. He credits the encouragement of family, peers, scholarship donors and faculty mentors, including his advisor Nathalie Turner and Dr. Jason Xiong, for helping him navigate advanced coursework. Alan also said the collaborative culture at App State encourages students to ask questions and pursue experiences beyond the classroom.
Because of his fast pace, Alan said he initially felt he should graduate from App State as soon as possible. But after failing an exam during what he expected to be his final year, Alan realized that rushing forward might mean missing opportunities he wanted to pursue. Instead of graduating early, Alan changed course to complete a full, four-year experience. It gave him the flexibility to add the newly introduced cybersecurity degree program and to fully engage with what the university had to offer, such as study abroad.
The decision reshaped his perspective, teaching him that failure can be a catalyst for growth.
“That is when I learned that we can't expect everything to go perfectly. Failure is a part of the process,” Alan said. “I learned how to turn failure into opportunity.”
Professional development experiences within the Walker College of Business have also played a key part in Alan’s Appalachian Experience. He said events like the university’s Cyber Summit helped him understand how industry professionals communicate, and glimpse how classroom learning will play into real-world business needs.
Alan with fellow cybersecurity majors at the Cyber Summit
Before he begins his career, Alan plans to complete his Master of Science in Applied Data Analytics and add another degree, a Master of Science in Technology, to his expanding resume and expertise.
Alan Sonato‑Ruiz is one of approximately 1,000 Spring and Summer 2026 graduates of the Walker College of Business. Read more student stories: business.appstate.edu/news/students.
Alan Sonato‑Ruiz ’26
