Danae Wyatt remembers walking into her first class at Onondaga Community College and feeling a wave of panic wash over her. She saw students around her nearly half her age, quickly excused herself, and called her 15-year-old son. "Oh my god - there's nobody here like me," she told him. His response? "Mom, that's college. College is filled with people from all walks of life." It turned out to be the pep talk she needed.
That conversation was at the start of the spring 2024 semester, when Wyatt was returning to college after an unsuccessful try several years earlier. She was paying out of pocket because of past grades, but was okay with it. "It was a small obstacle. I was going to do what I had to. The person I was before was totally different from the person I am now."
The person she is now is a 35-year-old mother of three, who also works full-time at Syracuse's McKinley-Brighton Elementary School, where she is a Program Aide. Her experiences working with students have brought her professional future into focus. She wants to become a high school counselor. "I want to guide high school kids, especially kids like me who didn't know what they wanted to do when they left high school. I want every child to leave high school with something, knowing they can be a productive citizen." Her first step in achieving her goal was coming to Onondaga Community College and enroll in the Adolescence Education program.
Earlier this year, she began hearing about SUNY Reconnect, 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.
"When I heard about SUNY Reconnect, I was a little nervous because I hadn't been accepted into a lot of things. When I got the email saying I had been accepted, I literally almost cried. It was such a breath of fresh air. It gave me more drive. It made me feel as though I was seen. There aren't a lot of programs out there for people my age."
Balancing classes with three boys at home—ages 15, 9, and 1—hasn't been easy, but Wyatt's family has rallied around her. Her husband cooks dinner when she has night classes, her kids make sure she's doing her homework, and she spends weekends studying at the library. "They are all very supportive and cheer me on. I feel fortunate to have them rooting for me!"
Wyatt will complete her associate degree a year from now, and encourages adult learners to take advantage of SUNY Reconnect. "If you are thinking about doing this, go for it! Shoot for the stars! I know it may seem scary when you are older with kids, but the success is so empowering."
