Three students from Onondaga Community College have been named to the prestigious Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) All-New York State Academic Team! They were selected for their outstanding academic excellence and demonstrated leadership. These students represent the very best of Onondaga Community College, and their achievements reflect a deep commitment to scholarship, service, and academic distinction. The 2026 honorees are:
Gerald Collins
Gerald is a 26-year-old first-generation college student who immigrated to the United States from Jamaica in 2023. He arrived with a passion for computers and hands-on experience as a self-taught software developer, having built his skills through countless hours learning on YouTube. It didn't take long for his talent to stand out. "When we moved to Syracuse, all of my friends were from Syracuse University. They would need help with their work. They were master's and Ph.D. level students. After I helped them, they would say to me, 'Just go get your degree.'"
That encouragement led him to OCC's Computer Science degree program. "My first semester was a struggle because I hadn't been in a classroom since high school in 2016. By the second semester, I had it down pat." He was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and became the organization's Vice President of Service. He also became Treasurer of the Coding Club, a Federal Work Study Student Assistant in the Office for Social Justice, Equity, and Inclusion, a member of Extraordinary Men of Distinction, and tutored fellow Computer Science students in his spare time. He plans to transfer to Syracuse University.
"My family here at OCC is the real thing. My advisor Rich (Goodell) is awesome, all of my professors are so helpful, and I have so much help from Dana (Acee), Katie (Komuda) and Dr. (Eunice) Williams. They all look out for me. If I need any help, they point me in the right direction."
Claire Detor
Claire is a 2025 graduate of Westhill High School who started at a four-year school, quickly realized it wasn't right for her, and arrived at OCC in time for the first week of classes in the fall 2025 semester.
Thanks to numerous AP and OCC credits earned in high school, she only needed one academic year on campus to complete her Adolescence Education degree. She was an outstanding student who earned membership in the PTK Honor Society, the Lillian Slutzker Honors College, and was a Meg O'Connell Social Justice Scholar. She plans to transfer to Le Moyne College, where she will study Inclusive Adolescent Education. Her goal is to become a teacher.
"OCC was perfect for me. I went to another school in the fall, it wasn't the place for me, and I came here and started immediately. I got involved in lots of things. I had all of these opportunities coming at me, and it was the perfect transition to make."
Junie Skellington
Junie is a 45-year-old single mother of three who immigrated to the United States from Burma. As a first-generation college student, she has balanced family responsibilities, academic achievement, and a deep commitment to service. For the past five years, she has worked as a Burmese medical interpreter, serving as a vital bridge between healthcare providers and patients with limited English proficiency. Prior to that, she volunteered with Translators Without Borders, helping vulnerable communities access critical information during times of crisis. This semester, Junie is completing her Health Studies degree, and hopes to one day become a Registered Nurse.
"As a Burmese medical interpreter, I've seen how nurses transform patients' lives. As a bilingual healthcare professional, I believe I can best serve communities in need by helping bridge language barriers between patients and providers. My goal is to work in a hospital or clinic where I can provide culturally responsive care to diverse populations."
The honorees will be recognized during a ceremony in Albany on April 27.
