Austin Kloska of Warrenville and Angel Sanchez of Bellwood are the 2026 Outstanding Graduates at College of DuPage.

After earning an Associate in Arts, Kloska plans to transfer and pursue English as he prepares for a career as a college professor. Sanchez also will transfer after earning an Associate in Applied Science in Cybersecurity and Defense and would like to become a chief information security officer.

The Outstanding Graduate finalists are Asma Ajmeri, Justina Rodriguez Carrozzo, Kalin Daniel, Ana Garcia Medina, Matthew Sioson and Cynthia Zuniga.

Angel Sanchez: Building a Future in Cybersecurity

Angel Sanchez has one piece of advice for any adult fearful of college.

“Do it scared,” he said. “Starting over is not failure; it shows courage.”

Sanchez initially wanted to attend college after finishing high school, but financially he did not want to go into debt. Instead, he held a series of jobs, from working on vehicles at a family auto shop to building cabinetry. The latter required driving, and while doing so he listened to podcasts that discussed famous malwares and cybersecurity. He thought about going back to school and decided to do so.

He knew COD was the right decision as soon as he started classes. One day while looking for an empty classroom where he could study, Sanchez accidentally entered one where the Cybersecurity and Information Technology Club was meeting. Although he didn’t understand all the topics they addressed and initially felt out of place, he was fascinated by the discussion.

A year later, he was president of the club and found himself participating in the U.S. Department of Energy’s CyberForce Competition.

“What made the experience especially meaningful was encouraging other students to take part,” he said. “Creating spaces where students felt comfortable asking questions and experimenting with new concepts has been one of the most rewarding parts of my time at COD. Experiences like this helped me realize that cybersecurity is about building communities of people willing to learn, adapt and face difficult challenges together as much as it is about protecting systems.”

After graduation, Sanchez will transfer to study cybersecurity while earning multiple industry-standard certifications, such as those from CompTIA and Cisco. His goal is to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees and perhaps a Ph.D. to prepare for a career as a CISO, protecting an organization’s critical infrastructure from emerging digital threats.

As for COD, he thanks everyone for helping him conquer his fears.

“I never expected to meet such amazing people,” Sanchez said. “The guidance and encouragement I received from faculty, advisors and fellow students have been instrumental in helping me build both confidence and direction in my academic journey, providing an environment where I could grow both academically and personally.

“I am a first-generation college student and the son of immigrant parents who worked tirelessly to create opportunities for their family. Their dedication and resilience instilled in me a deep appreciation for education and the importance of perseverance.”

Austin Kloska: A Passion for Storytelling

When Austin Kloska was in the third grade, he began writing stories featuring all his friends.

“It was exciting to think up something in my head, put it down on paper and then look back on what I did,” he said. “I had no conception of what writing really was, but it was the first time I realized how fun it could be.”

During the pandemic, Kloska—who has acted locally since his debut in “The Hobbit” at age 6—wrote his first play, “Irene’s Last Blooming.”

“I wanted to write something that could be done with all the characters six feet apart,” he said. “I settled on what I thought was a really funny story of a family bickering in a hospital waiting room. The characters came to life, and as I grew to like them so much, I did not know when to end the story.

“I carried this script deep into high school and realized how different the story was from what I began. I relearned what it meant to be an author and, whether I knew it or not, this is how I expressed myself the best. It became my diary. When this play was produced at Stageworks Theatre Arts in Geneva in 2025, it was surreal that an audience was watching the product of my changing life.”

When Kloska came to COD, he hadn’t put much thought into what he wanted from his college experience other than earning his degree. Then he discovered the English program and was captivated by the classes. He also pursued his interest in theater and worked on the Student Theater Showcase.

“I could not have imagined feeling comfortable enough, or that I was capable enough, to pursue my idea and present it to anyone at COD, let alone have it be well received,” he said. “The many people I met during this process showed me that the community of COD is encouraging, kind, knowledgeable and highly supportive of students.”

After graduating as an Honors Scholar, Kloska is transferring to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees as well as a Ph.D. in order to teach college-level English and literature classes. He believes his time at COD will define his future.

“The experience of learning is not only understanding the world but also understanding relationships and how to improve them to be happier. The COD community helped me build my confidence, and the faculty, staff, fellow students and other people I connected with on campus had my back.”

College of DuPage will hold its 59^th annual Commencement ceremony on Friday, May 22, at 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Each ceremony will be available to view on the College’s Facebook page and website.

Find out more about Commencement.