When Ryan Carlos Mont ’09 was told college was not an option for him, the Milwaukee, Wisconsin native took it as a challenge.
Diagnosed with a learning disability in middle school he was told college would be too difficult for him to get through.
“I still felt like I could go to college and learn at a higher level regardless of what I was told from advisers or counselors,” he said.
Mont transferred to St. Cloud State from the University of Wisconsin, Green Bay in 2006 to earn his bachelor’s degree in Geography Travel and Tourism.
“St. Cloud State was the best three years of my life,” he said.
Earning high marks and completing summer classes, Mont not only graduated from St. Cloud State with his bachelor’s degree, but did so with magna cum laude honors.
“Graduating from St. Cloud State with honors for me was a dream come true.”
Mont is now putting his degree to good use, working for the Paradie’s Lagardere Company in Florida, a company that caters to airports across the United States and Canada. Mont runs the Tech for Takeoff store in Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, working every day with tourists from around the world.
“I believe when people tell you can’t do something, regardless of a disability or not, it is important to not give up on your goals or dreams,” Mont said.
