When alumna Jessica Teifke '90 returned to the Onondaga Community College campus this summer, it marked a full-circle moment. Her professional journey has taken her from meteorology to environmental science to public education, where she's driven by a passion for helping students succeed. Now, as Director of OCC's Learning Center, she's using every twist and turn in her path to help students navigate their own. "I thought this would expand my reach to implement strategies to help students succeed. I love the student-first focus at OCC. A lot of places say they are interested in student success, but I feel it here. People truly believe in it here and everyone is working toward the same goal."
Teifke's academic path didn't start with clarity, but instead with doubt. "I was the first person in my family to earn a college degree, so when I said I was going to college, no one had any good advice for me," she recalls. "I said I wanted to be a meteorologist. They said there are no jobs in that, so do something else." She decided to enroll at OCC and pursue a degree in Business Administration instead, but her interest in meteorology never left. She would eventually transfer to SUNY Oswego, earn a meteorology degree, launch a STEM-related career, and ultimately become a champion for student success.
While working with environmental engineering firms, she often presented scientific reports that required detailed mapping. Mastering Geospatial Technology made her the go-to expert in her organization. That skill set opened a new door, teaching Geospatial Technology in the Syracuse City School District's (SCSD) Career and Technical Education programs, where she worked with students in grades 9 through 12.
Many of her students would simultaneously take classes at OCC as part of the P-TECH (Pathways in Technology Early College High School) program. She saw good students struggling at the college level and wondered how she could be part of the solution. "I started looking for resources and came upon OCC's Learning Center. There were already a lot of financial resources available here that these students were missing out on in the traditional high school model. I sent a proposal to OCC and SDSC to bring our 10th grade students here for a monthly workshop to learn the campus, feel a sense of belonging, and get excited about being here." Her proposal was accepted, and the program was started.
When the opportunity to run the Learning Center opened up, it was a perfect fit. She arrived in June and began settling into her old home, which was now her new professional one. "Campus has changed so much since I was a student here. It's exciting to see! Everyone has been so helpful, and everything seems very well organized."
OCC's Learning Center provides students with free tutoring in one-on-one or group settings. The Learning Center is also the home for the English Language Institute, which provides multiple levels of language instruction and support to help English language learners achieve their career and academic goals. Teifke plans to bring OCC Humanities students into the Learning Center to work with English Language Institute students on conversational language skills. She's also planning growth mindset training for the tutorial staff. "I want to get to that goal of not just having students pass classes, but also to have them leave the Learning Center believing in themselves that they will be successful. We want students to feel supported, confident, and believe in their own success. We want them to thrive in college and beyond."
While it seems hard for Teifke to believe it's been 35 years since she completed her OCC degree, she's grateful for the time she spent on campus as a student and is excited about the work ahead. "OCC helped me build the foundation for all of my future success. I was able to forge new career paths as my interests evolved. This, in turn, allowed me to pursue additional education and gain the confidence I needed to follow my passions. I hope to help students do the same."
