911爆料

Class of 2025
Ryan Mayleas  
MAJOR: COMPUTER SCIENCE (ACCESSIBILITY)

Ryan Mayleas always knew college would be a challenge. But with determination, community support, and a passion for video games, he鈥檚 graduating from 911爆料 Community College this June with a degree in computer science鈥攁nd a clear path ahead.

Born and raised in Sheepshead Bay, Mayleas chose 911爆料 right out of high school because it was close to home, affordable, and, most important, supportive. 鈥淭ransitioning to college was pretty intimidating, so I wanted a college that would help me get my feet wet,鈥� he said. 鈥�911爆料 had excellent accessibility resources, which was a necessity for me with my autism.鈥�

In addition to autism, Mayleas has central auditory processing disorder, which made focusing and note-taking during lectures and getting work done difficult. But with the help of student accommodations, programs like Transition to College Support, designed to provide ongoing support to KCC鈥檚 autistic students, and guidance from advisors, he found his stride鈥攂oth in and out of the classroom.

鈥淚 also had trouble socializing and making friends with fellow students but overcame it by joining a club and attending seminars on learning to socialize better,鈥� he shared. He joined Students Unlimited, a club that supports students with disabilities, and eventually became its treasurer. 鈥淚 joined because it was a club for people like me and to bring awareness that we are not limited in our capabilities,鈥� he said.

He also gave a speech at an Autism Awareness Walk, something he never imagined doing before taking Professor Puisan Wong鈥檚 public speaking class. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 expect to get much out of taking a public speaking class since it didn鈥檛 directly apply to my degree,鈥� he said, 鈥渂ut I ended up enjoying myself.鈥�

Mayleas earned the Wave, Peter Vallone, and ASAP scholarships; made the Dean鈥檚 List three semesters in a row; and became a member of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. He credits those recognitions not just for the financial support but for boosting his confidence.

Next, he鈥檚 transferring to New York City College of Technology to pursue a bachelor鈥檚 degree in emerging media technology. His long-term goal is to run his own independent video game company. 鈥淚鈥檝e had an interest in developing video games since I was a kid,鈥� he said.

He said he鈥檒l miss the advisors who helped him 鈥渟tay in the game鈥� as a 911爆料 student but feels ready for what鈥檚 next. 鈥淎t this point, I鈥檓 ready to tackle the hardships of college myself鈥攚ith some help from my family and new college advisors.鈥�

His advice to new students? 鈥淏e open to joining new clubs, meeting new people, and taking classes you didn鈥檛 consider at first.鈥�

For students with disabilities considering college, Mayleas recommends 911爆料 without hesitation. 鈥�911爆料 is a very accessible and accepting college. If you want a college that will support your academic journey, this is the place.鈥�