Roger Mirabito
on
April 29, 2026
News Briefs
Onondaga Community College Pinnacle Awards recipients were honored with these medals which they will wear at commencement May 16.
Onondaga Community College Pinnacle Awards recipients were honored with these medals which they will wear at commencement May 16.

Onondaga Community College honored its 2026 Pinnacle Award winners April 29 in the Gordon Student Center Great Room, celebrating students whose influence extends far beyond the classroom. The Pinnacle program recognizes exceptional achievement in leadership, civic engagement, and scholarly research—distinguishing those who not only excel academically, but also leave a lasting mark on campus and in the community.

  • Athletics - Paul Clark
  • Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program - Caterina Morgan
  • Educational Opportunity Program - Tasneem Ghayad
  • International Students - Vanessa Esposito
  • Office of Accessibility Resources - MacIntyre Gorham
  • Office of Veterans and Military Services - Jonathan Yard
  • Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society - Phil Impaglia
  • Residence Life - Mary Hamer
  • TRIO - Maram Al Taleb

The students who oversaw the Unity Day celebrations during the 2025-2026 academic year were also recognized with Pinnacle Awards. They are:

  • Gregory Anderson
  • George Grigorian
  • Kadra Habseme
  • Zahra Hadi, Chair
  • Destiny Izenwata
  • Jalynn Nguyen

Photos of all of the honorees are below. Congratulations to the 2026 Pinnace Award recipients!

Paul Clark (center) won the Pinnacle Award for Athletics. He's pictured with President Dr. Warren Hilton (left) and Director of Athletics Mike Borsz (right).
Paul Clark (center) won the Pinnacle Award for Athletics. He's pictured with President Dr. Warren Hilton (left) and Director of Athletics Mike Borsz (right).

 

Caterina Morgan (center) won the Pinnacle Award from CSTEP. She's pictured with OCC President Dr. Warren Hilton (left) and CSTEP Director Leslie Reid (right).
Caterina Morgan (center) won the Pinnacle Award from CSTEP. She's pictured with OCC President Dr. Warren Hilton (left) and CSTEP Director Leslie Reid (right).

 

Tasneem Ghayad (center) won the Pinnacle Award for the Educational Opportunity Program. She's pictured with OCC President Dr. Warren Hilton (left) and EOP Director Michelle Woodhouse (right).
Tasneem Ghayad (center) won the Pinnacle Award for the Educational Opportunity Program. She's pictured with OCC President Dr. Warren Hilton (left) and EOP Director Michelle Woodhouse (right).

 

Vanessa Esposito (center) received the Pinnacle Award from OCC President Dr. Warren Hilton (left) and Director of International Student Services Ryan Nellenback (right).
Vanessa Esposito (center) received the Pinnacle Award from OCC President Dr. Warren Hilton (left) and Director of International Student Services Ryan Nellenback (right).

 

MacIntyre Gorham (center) represented the Office of Accessibility Resources with his Pinnacle Award. He's pictured with OCC President Dr. Warren Hilton (left) and Daneen Brooks of OAR (right).
MacIntyre Gorham (center) represented the Office of Accessibility Resources with his Pinnacle Award. He's pictured with OCC President Dr. Warren Hilton (left) and Daneen Brooks of OAR (right).

 

The Office of Veterans and Military Services Pinnacle Award was presented to Jonathan Yard (center) by OCC President Dr. Warren Hilton (left) and Lisa Mooney (right), Coordinator of Veterans and Military Services.
The Office of Veterans and Military Services Pinnacle Award was presented to Jonathan Yard (center) by OCC President Dr. Warren Hilton (left) and Lisa Mooney (right), Coordinator of Veterans and Military Services.

 

Phil Impaglia (center) received the Pinnacle Award from OCC President Dr. Warren Hilton (left) and Dana Acee (right).
Phil Impaglia (center) received the Pinnacle Award from OCC President Dr. Warren Hilton (left) and Dana Acee (right).

 

Mary Hamer (center) received the Pinnacle Award from Residence Life from OCC President Dr. Warren Hilton (left) and Kelly Seibt (right).
Mary Hamer (center) received the Pinnacle Award from Residence Life from OCC President Dr. Warren Hilton (left) and Kelly Seibt (right).

 

The Pinnacle Award for TRIO was presented to Maram Al Talen from PCC President Dr. Warren Hilton (left) and Kim Carlson of TRIO (right).
The Pinnacle Award for TRIO was presented to Maram Al Talen from OCC President Dr. Warren Hilton (left) and Kim Carlson of TRIO (right).

 

Members of the Unity Day Committee received Pinnacle Awards!
Members of the Unity Day Committee received Pinnacle Awards!
Keywords
OCC
Onondaga Community College

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