Our Differences Are Our Strengths

Ryan DeVito, a recent Northampton Community College (NCC) graduate, struggled with math, writing and anxiety when he was younger. He was teased and bullied by his fellow students and didn’t have support from teachers. At that time, he thought he lacked confidence and believed the words of a cruel teacher who told him he would never amount to anything.  

DeVito proved that teacher, and everyone else who ever belittled him, wrong. On May 22, he graduated with a 3.9 grade point average (GPA) and received his associate’s degree in information security from NCC. He was also inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. 

“College was a real test for me,” he said. “I knew I could work with computers, but now that I've graduated, I’m certain I can do anything I can put my mind to. Looking back, I can’t believe how far I’ve come.” 

Because of his learning challenges, DeVito had an Individual Education Plan (IEP) that outlined strategies to improve his writing and math skills. He also had severe anxiety and froze whenever called on in class. His IEP instructed teachers not to call on him, but some did anyway, which caused him to stammer and prevented him from answering even simple questions he knew well. This resulted in more teasing. 

Despite his obstacles, DeVito was determined to be a good student and, by high school, was getting better grades that allowed him to enroll in the Career Institute or Technology (CIT), which works with area school districts. There, his transformation began to take shape. He was impressed by their computer systems networking & telecommunications program and enrolled in the three-year program.  

DeVito learned all he could about computers. He worked hard, earned nine industry-recognized certifications in computer science, and graduated high school with a 3.8 GPA. A favorite teacher, Richard Chiappa, encouraged and helped him to achieve his goals and said he never saw a student as committed to changing the trajectory of their education and future. 

When it was time to graduate high school, he knew he wanted to attend a college close to home so that he could commute and work a part-time job. He also wanted something affordable with program options that piqued his interest. NCC checked all of the boxes.  

“I had no predetermined path. I had to take it on a whim and stand outside my comfort zone. When people saw me do well in classes, they thought it was easy for me, but they didn’t know how much I struggled before. I stumbled, tripped and fell, but I got back up. Looking from the outside, people didn’t see that.”  

NCC’s supportive professors and staff gave him a helping hand when he was down. Because of their support, he’d encourage anyone to start their education at NCC.  

“The professors won’t put you down; rather, they’re here for you,” he said. “The tutors are amazing, and the advisors are helpful. NCC has the resources to provide you with what you need at an affordable price. I feel like I was supported.” Also, he added, the credits are easily transferrable for many bachelor’s degree programs. 

One of his very first classes, college success, was DeVito’s favorite. His classmates were from various backgrounds and ages, and he enjoyed getting to know them through the course’s game-like activities. DeVito understood basic and more complex math concepts in his math class because of how Professor John Boyd explained them. 

His favorite courses were data communication and LANs (local area networks). Professor Paul Brutto challenged the students to work together to solve problems. He enjoyed cyber security because it felt like detective work, finding potential problems and preventing catastrophes, like cyber criminals stealing information or bringing down a system. 

DeVito credits his family for most of his success. His father, who works for the borough of Roseto’s General Public Works Department, taught him that you must work hard if you want a good life. His mother, a legal secretary, who graduated from NCC with an associate’s degree in paralegal studies, was always his biggest advocate.   

“Encouraging me to go to NCC, she said, ‘I know what you have in you. You are worth this, and I will be here every step of the way.’ I don’t know where I would be without my parents. They’re excited to see where I will land.”  

For now, he’d be happy to get an entry-level computing job, but eventually, he would like to work in cyber security. While DeVito enjoys working alone, he hopes to find a job that involves team projects.  

“We’re all different, not less. Our differences are our strengths.”