Articles
VICEROY scholar makes HCC history as first MAVEN intern
Apr 6, 2026
This summer, Leslie Trevino, a scholar in the Virtual Institute for Cyber and Electromagnetic Spectrum Research and Employment (VICEROY) Program at Houston City College (HCC), will make history working with the Department of Defense (DoD) as the first HCC scholar selected for the VICEROY MAVEN Internship.
The VICEROY MAVEN Internship Program is part of a national effort to develop the next generation of cybersecurity and electromagnetic spectrum professionals. Designed to provide scholars with applied, mission-relevant experience, the program supports federal workforce priorities focused on cyber resilience, digital modernization and emerging technology domains critical to national defense.
“It’s a real honor to be able to participate and represent HCC and Houston in general in a program of this caliber,” said Trevino. “There will be a lot of actual hands-on experience—not just theoretical problem-solving—but being able to apply that knowledge and gain new insight.”
Working alongside students from universities across the country at the program’s Rome, New York facility, Trevino will spend eight weeks focusing on real-world projects that contribute to national cyber defense—not classroom simulations. At the end of the internship, she will present her project before officials at the Pentagon.
Trevino’s long-term ambition centers on serving in the federal government, ideally at the DoD as a civilian, and the MAVEN internship is precisely the kind of pipeline designed to get her there.
“What makes me the most excited and nervous at the same time is knowing how fast-paced this field is, especially now with the use of AI. There are so many threats that come up regularly,” said Trevino, who recently transferred to Texas A&M University at Galveston to continue studying computer science. “The projects we will be working on will have to move equally fast, and that will give me insight into what it’s actually like to work in that environment.”
Trevino’s selection reflects not only her academic excellence and leadership, but also the effectiveness of HCC’s investment in structured talent development aligned with DoD workforce needs. The VICEROY Scholars Program serves as a strategic bridge between academic preparation and high-impact service opportunities in cybersecurity and national security sectors.
“This achievement represents both an individual accomplishment and a program milestone,” said Robert Glover, principal investigator/program manager and interim executive director of HCC Military Education Programs. “Ms. Trevino’s selection demonstrates that Houston City College students are competitive at the national level and ready to contribute to mission-critical workforce priorities.”
The college continues to strengthen partnerships that position its students to compete for and succeed in nationally recognized programs that advance the nation’s cybersecurity and defense capabilities.
To learn more about the VICEROY Scholars Program at HCC, visit hccs.edu/viceroy or contact Robert Glover at 713-718-2383 or robert.glover@hccs.edu.