Sisto Zavala goes back to his career roots with online cyber operations and resilience degree

Sisto Zavala is shepherding the flock and protecting the internet.
The senior pastor at the Worship Center in Weiser, Idaho, is enrolled in Boise State University’s online Bachelor of Applied Science in Cyber Operations and Resilience program.

“I had not planned to get a bachelor’s degree,” he said. “They started mentioning Boise State while I was attending Treasure Valley Community College.

“I virtually met Dr. Sin Ming Loo and learned about transferring our credits to get a bachelor’s degree. I started thinking about it and said, ‘If I’m going to go for two years, what’s another two years?’”

In addition to preaching, Zavala was director of information technology for Weiser Independent School District and an IT support specialist for Valley Family Health Care for eight months over the last two years.

“I really want to focus on cybersecurity,” he said. “The jobs I have had helped me focus on that goal and led me to what Dr. Loo says: ‘There’s a problem with cybersecurity and you are the professionals who are going to fix it.’”

The flexibility of earning an online degree has been a godsend for Zavala, who lives in a rural area 60 miles away from Boise and often works two jobs simultaneously.

“We have so much opportunity to fit school around our schedules as online students,” he said. “Time passes, no matter what. I would recommend that anybody who can earn an online degree should. It’s only going to help you more. There’s always room to improve our lives through education.”

Starting to click

Zavala grew up in Portland, Oregon, but has lived in Idaho for 20 years. He gravitated toward learning computer skills and embarking on a career in the field.

“Computers are the future,” he said. “If you’re not learning about computers, you are so far behind. You have to have basic computer skills with your phone. I don’t know why anybody wouldn’t be learning about it. I fell behind with that early in my life, but I want to be a front-runner in the later parts of my life.”

Zavala became a pastor six years ago to give back to his community and serve as a guiding light.

“We grew up with a lot of traumas in our lives, and we found our truth,” he said. “I have to practice what I preach. We tell these kids we work with that they can do it, but I hadn’t done it.

“That’s what got me started on my current path. I had to prove to these guys it can be done at any age. It’s fulfilling. It’s all about people at the end of the day, like everything we do.”

After two years in Treasure Valley Community College’s cybersecurity program, Zavala transferred to Boise State in 2023. When he had to adjust his schedule, the online format made it simple to pick up where he left off.

“I’m taking Forensics this term, which I’m excited about,” he said. “I like the analytical part of it. I had to drop it a couple of terms ago because I didn’t have the funds.

“The program is flexible. I can’t say it enough: we have the whole world at our hands on our computers. Especially in the rural areas, location used to hold us back. It doesn’t anymore.”

Singing praises

Zavala is a first-generation college student. His wife, Nicole, is his biggest supporter as he works toward an August 2025 graduation date.

“She pushes me all of the time,” he said. “She is super proud of me. She’s terminally sick, so anything I can do to make her proud, I think I’m good. Boise State has been good to me. We started off by going to football games there in 2008 and became fans.”

As he continues down the home stretch of the online Bachelor of Applied Science in Cyber Operations and Resilience program, Zavala looks forward to applying his degree to his career.

“With where the church is now, I used to have enough to pay myself, but now I don’t,” he said. “I need to be able to maximize my family’s income and be able to take care of what I have with the people I work with.

“A professor at Boise State told me that I should consider becoming a professor. I’m not done here. I’m not going to stop after I get a bachelor’s degree. I have to have the education to be a leader in the cybersecurity realm. I recommend it to everybody.”

So far, Zavala is thrilled with the value he has received as a transfer student in the program.

“I absolutely got more than enough value,” he said. “I can’t say enough about it. One day I hope to give back to Boise State. They have definitely taken care of me.”

Now that he is close to wrapping up his bachelor’s degree, Zavala plans to continue recommending the program to other IT professionals considering higher education.

“I would tell them the quote: ‘The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The next best time is today,’” he said. “Don’t be afraid. Come.
“I have never felt so many people for me, really wanting me to do well, as I have at Boise State. When you’ve been around long enough, you realize that’s high value.”

Learn more about the cyber operations and resilience program

Earning an online Bachelor of Science in Cyber Operations and Resilience from Boise State University can open doors to new opportunities and a brighter future — and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Whether you’re exploring if an online degree is right for you or need help transferring credits, connecting with a student success coach is the perfect first step.

Ready to learn more? Attend one of our online information sessions or contact a student success coach today.