Each year Onondaga Community College recognizes distinguished graduates who have made a difference in their community and professional life, naming them "Alumni Faces" honorees. On the night of Wednesday, October 18 at 5:30 p.m. in the Frederick Marvin and Ernst Schuh Recital Hall in the Academic II building, we will pay tribute to the Alumni Faces Class of 2023. In the weeks leading up to the event we are proudly profiling our honorees on our website and social media. Today we introduce you to Kayla McKeon '22.
The seven words that make up Kayla McKeon's favorite quote also define her perfectly: "She believed she could so she did." McKeon has been believing in herself and achieving remarkable things her entire life. "The words 'giving up' are not in my vocabulary. I tell kids to never give up on what they are passionate about."
What the 36 year old McKeon is passionate about is advocating for those who, like herself, have Down Syndrome. It's what led her to become the first lobbyist in United States history with Down Syndrome, a Spokesperson and Manager of Grassroots Advocacy for the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), the NDSS's 2016 Self-Advocate of the Year, and complete the MIT Management Executive Education program titled, "Leadership in the Digital Age." In her role with the NDSS she helped get legislation passed which allows individuals who are differently-abled to save money into their Achieving Better Life Experience accounts without losing vital benefits.
Her national role led to a high-profile collaboration with toy manufacturer Mattel. In April, millions watched her appearance on ABC Television's "Good Morning America" show when she unveiled a new Barbie Doll with Down Syndrome. McKeon had worked with Mattel for a year on the design process. "They would send me prototypes and we would go over things like facial expressions, the eyes, the nose, the ears. We wanted the doll to have the same characteristics someone with Down Syndrome might have, some of which I possess liked the curved pinky, the crease in my palm, and almond shaped eyes."
The unveiling was a full circle moment for McKeon who loved playing with Barbie dolls when she was growing up, but never thought there would be a model that resembled her. "This doll looked like me! It was kind of scary but I really liked it. I really love the doll! I want people like me to have a big, happy face when they play with a doll that looks like them."
During the years when McKeon was advocating for others, she was also a student at Onondaga Community College. She first came to OCC as part of College for Living which is geared toward students and Central New York community members with intellectual disabilities. "I really enjoyed it. I decided I wanted to take college classes after that. My first two classes were Sign Language. I loved them and kept wanting to keep going."
McKeon would take classes at OCC for 12 years, gradually working her way toward her degree. She developed an on-campus network of people who supported her; Nancy Carr in the Office of Accessibility Resources, her tutors in the Learning Center, and her favorite professor, Jason Furney who taught mathematics. "I really loved my time here. I had great relationships with my professors and made friends in all of the classes I took. I really loved it."
In 2022 she completed her General Studies degree and graduated with honors. "I really wanted my degree. It was my main focus. Walking across the stage I was emotional. I was crying. I had my cap and gown on and was thinking 'this is really happening.' I'm really grateful for everything that happened here."
McKeon's list of accomplishments includes being named to Cicero-North Syracuse High School's Wall of Distinction, being named one of Central New York's 40 under 40 leaders, interning with Congressman John Katko, being profiled by CBS News, and winning multiple medals for athletic excellence. In 2011 she earned silver and bronze medals while competing in the Special Olympics in Athens, Greece. And at the USA Games in Orlando last year she won gold and bronze medals.
What will McKeon's next big accomplishment be? Her focus is to continue making a difference in the lives of others while advancing her career. As she reflects on what she's done, she admits she's exceeded her expectations. "At age 18 when I started doing public speaking, I thought I would do something local to Syracuse. I never thought I would get this far. I am definitely so proud of what I have done. I hope when people read this they realize they should never let anyone squash their dreams."
