Columbus State University News

Leading with perspective: How one CSU student is turning advocacy into action

April 24, 2026

A young man in a white button-down shirt speaks at a podium during an event. Behind him, another man in a red polo shirt smiles while holding a wooden plaque from the Columbus Botanical Garden. The plaque reads: "Community Engagement in Service Award 2025, Presented To: Eta Theta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity, Inc." A third man in a green shirt stands to the right under a white event tent with string lights.

At Columbus State University, students are encouraged to turn their experiences into action.

For Ajai R. Myles, that has been translated into creating the All Minds Matter tour, a growing, multi-city initiative focused on advocacy, education and support for neurodivergent individuals.

As a senior psychology major, philanthropist and student leader at Columbus State, Myles focuses his studies on neurodivergence, aligning his academic work with a mission that is meaningful to him: “The initiative is deeply personal to me. I’m not just advocating for others; I’m advocating for a community I’m a part of.”

Hailing from McDonough, Georgia, Myles is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and ADHD and has navigated his strengths in student organizations and academics alongside challenges with communication and social interaction. 

“Being neurodivergent means perceiving and understanding the world differently,” he said, also describing it as something he sees as a strength rather than a limitation. “We’re better together. It’s about creating spaces where people feel seen, supported and understood.”

That perspective is what drives the All Minds Matter tour, through which Myles travels to several cities and educates communities about neurodivergence and autism by blending research-based education with intentional conversations. 

“I had a student thank me after speaking in an interview because his nephew is autistic and a lot of his peers would ostracize him,” Myles said. “He told me how important it is to hands-on educate your own community and help people understand. That’s what this is about, getting the community to care and teach people to be empathetic.”

The tour features Myles and two to three guests at community events that provide adults and families with carnival-like activities and free resources such as behavioral therapy guides, early-detection tools and informational materials designed to make complex topics more accessible. 

The All Minds Matter tour has already reached communities across Georgia, including Atlanta, Albany, Valdosta, Savannah and Waycross, with plans to expand into cities outside Georgia like Auburn, Chattanooga, Jacksonville and Charlotte. Each stop reflects the same mission: creating inclusive spaces for education, connection and understanding autism, while demonstrating how student-led initiatives at CSU can grow into broader community impact. 

A group of young men carrying large cases of bottled water near a wooden building. In the foreground, a smiling man in a red "Community Service" vest with the Greek letters "K A Ψ" carries a case on his shoulder. Behind him, another man in a red "Columbus Botanical Garden" t-shirt carries two cases. A third man's back is to the camera, wearing a grey t-shirt that says "Rush K Σ" and features a parody of The Godfather logo with the text "An Offer You Can't Refuse." Multiple pallets of blue bottled water are stacked to the right.

Myles has been able to expand the reach of his work beyond campus because of leadership opportunities and involvement at Columbus State. He finds his strongest support from his fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi (pictured participating in a fraternity service project); Dr. Cindy Ticknor, dean of the Honors College; Jasmine Reid, an Honors College advisor; and Dr. Brandt Smith, his faculty mentor and a professor in the Department of Psychology. 

A smiling young man and woman stand together outdoors. The man wears a red and white letterman jacket and a red durag. The woman holds a poster featuring a Jimmy Neutron character wearing a Kappa Alpha Psi hat with text that reads, 'I love someone with autism.' In the background, 'KAY' is written on a wall in pink chalk.“Being surrounded by like-minded people who strive to achieve in every field of human endeavor encourages me,” Myles said. “They help put that battery in my back and see me onto my day to day activities.”

Thanks to Dr. Stephanie da Silva, another one of Myles’ psychology professors, he also gained valuable hands-on experience as an intern at the Brain Center, a certified Autism Specialty Clinic for the Southwest region of Georgia, located in the heart of Columbus. He experienced firsthand how professional teams work together to provide care to families with neurodivergent needs. 

“The atmosphere was definitely beautiful,” Myles said. “It was my first experience of seeing true teamwork on a professional level, from testing to reporting to collaboration with the staff. We did floor play with the kids, and it was very educational and fun.”

These experiences have shaped Myles’ future goals to become a clinical psychologist and own a private practice to further benefit neurodivergent, autistic and ADHD communities for people of all ages. He also plans to continue expanding the All Minds Matter tour, aiming to turn it into a recurring initiative and eventually a formal nonprofit organization. 

With only two semesters left in his studies, his next step after graduating with his bachelor’s is to work on his master's in applied behavioral analysis. He desires to leave a legacy of altruism and initiative at CSU. 

As his parents raised him to be, “You’re here for a reason, so make use of your time,” he said. “My mom told me, ‘Have fun, RJ.’ Everything always had a learning lesson, but it was always filled with fun and joy.”

Myles’ work reflects what’s possible when students are empowered to lead with purpose. He is not only raising awareness but creating a lasting change in how communities understand and support neurodivergent individuals. 

Averi Morton of the Office of Strategic Communication + Marketing submitted this article for publication.

Media Contact:  Michael Tullier, APR