Ryan Nalangan currently attends UC San Diego and is a member of the class of 2026. A 2022 graduate of De Anza High School, Ryan plans to major in Computer Science at UCSD.

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself. Is there anything in particular that motivates you as you go through college and prepare yourself for a career?

A:  I am a low-income, first-generation college student that is majoring in computer science at UC San Diego. Going on this college journey of mine has been a wild ride, however there have been many different factors that have really motivated me to continue on despite these hardships. To name a couple, my family, friends, and the idea of one day becoming a commissioned officer in the Air Force has really motivated me to continue on and to keep pushing through in hopes of reaching the career that I desire.

Q: How has Richmond Promise played a role in your education?

A: Richmond Promise has given me a variety of support, ranging from extra funds to help with extra school expenses, their newsletter and different workshops, and the opportunity of being a summer associate for them, so that I can gain the experience that I need to help others and pursue any other positions that can benefit my education.

Q: Why did you choose to be a Richmond Promise Summer Associate and what are you hoping to take from the experience?

A: I chose to be a Richmond Promise Summer Associate in hopes of giving support to the many Scholars within the Richmond community as they transition from high school to college. I wanted to improve my real-world skills so that I can help others in need and better support them to the best of my abilities. I am hoping to learn a lot about how I can really help the incoming college freshmen with their transition so that they can have the best start that they can when they enter college. I also hope to learn how working in the outside world feels and expanding that experience for any future positions I may take.

Q: What do you want to contribute to Richmond and/or the world?

A: I want to contribute to Richmond and my community the support and tools that they need to succeed on their path. Growing up, I never really had that type of support and was often alone on my journey. I knew that I wanted to give back to my community what I didn’t have much of growing up because no one deserves that. This support would range from positive tips and advice towards their education, support with their mental health, career path, and more. Overall, I just want to make sure that the people within my community have the tools and support that they need to thrive and prosper.

Q: Can you tell us about your current college experience?

A: My current college experience has been quite stressful and anxiety-inducing, to say the least. I made lots of mistakes during my first year of college such as some mistaken class enrollments and not knowing how to properly deal with my mental health. As a result, I had a very hectic year where I struggled a lot with focusing properly on my academics while keeping my health in check. However, it is a new school year and I hope to bounce back from that experience, focusing on my academics and my major, computer science, and hoping for the best to come.

Q: What are you looking forward to after receiving your bachelor’s/transferring?

A: I am looking forward to entering the workforce of computer science, and hopefully qualifying to become a commissioned officer in the Air Force through SDSU’s AFROTC program. I look forward to joining more community programs to give back to my community and to more importantly give back to my family as a way of saying thanks for supporting me in my life journey.