Lucas Vaidean graduated from Ardsley High School in Ardsley, New York in the summer of 2022. In the fall of 2022, he began his freshman year at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and is now a rising second year student enrolled in the Saunders College of Business at RIT with an undergraduate major in marketing and a minor in psychology. Aside from academic work, Lucas is also devoted to disability rights and advocacy. He is a member of the Disability Leadership Scholars (DLS), a Microsoft-partnered scholarship group at RIT composed of 8 students who work together to amplify disability issues on campus and empower individuals with disabilities. Having experienced hearing loss at the age of seven years old, Lucas feels very strongly about Deaf culture and the Deaf community and is passionate about Deaf advocacy and Deaf issues within the disability community, particularly the issue of language deprivation amongst Deaf children. He aims to present research on policies regarding these issues, in order to raise awareness and improve conditions. During his free time, Lucas enjoys spending time with his friends and his family. His hobbies include sports – especially basketball and soccer, movies, music, and reading.
