Acmed Avila Sage was jolted awake by a text message, warning him that his personal data may have been compromised. "I got hacked. It was a personal experience and not a pleasant one either." Though the breach turned out to be minor, it triggered something major - a drive to learn how to protect himself from digital threats.
Not long after, he heard about a new free community college program and reached out to Onondaga Community College, where he had completed an Automotive Technology certificate in 2023. "I looked at the website, and it mentioned Cybersecurity. I honestly didn't think I was going to qualify. I talked to my advisor (Collette Charbonneau), she looked into it, and told me I qualified."
Thanks to SUNY Reconnect, the program that made his return possible, he's back at OCC in the Cybersecurity degree program. SUNY Reconnect is a new, free community college program for students between the ages of 25 and 55 who have not yet earned a college degree. SUNY Reconnect covers the cost of tuition, fees, books, and supplies after all other financial aid is applied. When New York State Governor Kathy Hochul was rallying support for the program, she came to the Onondaga Community College campus in January 2025. OCC student Josh Barr shared his story, and how much such a program would help him. The program was approved by the New York State Legislature a few months later.
Avila Sage is a 38-year-old native of Mexico who immigrated to the United States in 2000 and grew up in California. Since completing his Automotive Technology certificate at OCC two years ago, he's been working on cars at small repair shops. In his first week of classes in the Cybersecurity program, he knew he had made the right choice. "It's been great. My professor is very well educated on the topic. He's been talking to us about real-world applications that can happen to anybody. In cybersecurity, defense is the best offense."
Avila Sage believes it will take him 2-and-a-half years to complete his degree, then he plans to start his own business. He's grateful for the new higher education opportunity he's found. "It's amazing. New York State has given me more opportunities than California did when it comes to higher education. I love this campus and I love this state."
