Andrew Malinsky was introduced to Montgomery County Community College while he was in high school and was undecided about his career path.

The summer before his senior year at Lower Moreland High School, he took an introductory programming course taught by three Monto computer science professors. Their enthusiasm inspired Malinsky, who discovered that he liked solving puzzles using mathematics and computer-based algorithms. He developed a penchant for programming concepts and eventually solved the conundrum of his own future.

Malinsky, of Huntingdon Valley, became a computer science major and continued to solve puzzles in his spare time at Montco, serving as vice president of the campus Code Club, and in a part-time position as a Technical Help Desk specialist, which reaffirmed his career goals.

Finding a new path, he started the Chess Club and served as its president. He learned to play chess at age 16 at the suggestion of his grandfather, and in his remaining time in high school participated in state and national scholastic chess championships. During his first college semester, he gathered student officers and found a faculty advisor. When the chess boards and clocks did not arrive in time for the first meeting, he brought in his personal chess sets for the club to use. By the end of the spring 2017 semester, the club hosted a chess tournament open to the whole college.

Malinsky counts the club’s advisor, Dr. Marc Schuster of the English faculty, among his mentors. "I thoroughly enjoyed his Honors English class that I took in my first semester as I learned inspirational concepts that I still carry with me today," said Malinsky.

Montco’s faculty was one reason he chose the college. The smaller class sizes gave him "a sense of care and attention" from professors and a chance to easily participate in class discussions and ask questions.

Not one to be limited by his comfort zones, he took challenging courses as part of the Honors Program, and found opportunities for volunteering, such as tree planting and historic preservation in a cemetery.

"Within the past two years, I have been on a journey of self-discovery as I am learning things I thought were out of my reach," he said. I learned how to solve a Rubik's Cube in under a minute. I learned strategy and theory in the game of chess. I learned the importance of reading, both for learning and for leisure. I became a seasoned Sudoku player. I even taught myself how to play piano."

He hopes to create and run his own technology company someday and will double major this fall in Computer Science and Mathematics at Arcadia University.

Malinsky is the recipient of an Honors Program Scholarship and a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Because of his academic standing and participation in activities, he was one of four Montco students selected for the All-PA Academic Team and honored at the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges in Harrisburg.

He urges current students to join clubs, attend events and "learn all about the great resources offered by the college," as he did. "There are many opportunities for leadership, personal enrichment and community involvement that students can pursue."