Cat Rogers knew the odds were against him. Like most people diagnosed with autism, attending college, receiving multiple job offers, and making friends were not in his favor. But despite challenges, Rogers, 29, will graduate with a master’s in education from Rowan University in May, start a job teaching biology, physics, and anatomy at a New Jersey high school in September, and tie the knot next year. Diagnosed with autism at age 24, Rogers understands he triumphed. A national study found 35% of students with autism attend college, while a report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found the unemployment rate for people with a disability is almost twice as high as for those without one. He credits his success to Rowan’s PATH Program, designed to support neurodivergent students while they’re in school so they can stay on track, keep up with their course loads, make friends, and experience college. PATH — Preparation and Achievement in the Transition to Hire —emphasizes the “transition to employment” component of the program.