Meet Members of the Class of 2025

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’s graduating from Kingsborough Community College this June with a degree in computer science—and a clear path ahead.

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

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’s autistic students, and guidance from advisors, he found his stride—both in and out of the classroom.

“I 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,” he shared. He joined Students Unlimited, a club that supports students with disabilities, and eventually became its treasurer. “I joined because it was a club for people like me and to bring awareness that we are not limited in our capabilities,” he said.

He also gave a speech at an Autism Awareness Walk, something he never imagined doing before taking Professor Puisan Wong’s public speaking class. “I didn’t expect to get much out of taking a public speaking class since it didn’t directly apply to my degree,” he said, “but I ended up enjoying myself.”

Mayleas earned the Wave, Peter Vallone, and ASAP scholarships; made the Dean’s 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’s transferring to New York City College of Technology to pursue a bachelor’s degree in emerging media technology. His long-term goal is to run his own independent video game company. “I’ve had an interest in developing video games since I was a kid,” he said.

He said he’ll miss the advisors who helped him “stay in the game” as a Kingsborough student but feels ready for what’s next. “At this point, I’m ready to tackle the hardships of college myself—with some help from my family and new college advisors.”

His advice to new students? “Be open to joining new clubs, meeting new people, and taking classes you didn’t consider at first.”

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