Every Friday during the fall semester, our "Start Here, Anytime" series will spotlight an adult learner who chose to come to Onondaga Community College to pursue new opportunities, new goals, and a new chapter in life. Today, meet Maya Walker.
For Maya Walker, the dream of working in health care has been with her for as long as she can remember. Growing up in Brazil, where she lived from age 5 until 23, Walker remembers watching a surgical television channel for hours, captivated by the procedures unfolding on screen. “I was always fascinated with medicine in general. In Brazil, there was a surgical TV channel, and I would watch that all day. Brain surgery, heart surgery - I was fascinated. I've always been interested in science and how our body works, how we function.”
Now, at 41, Walker is finally pursuing that interest. She began taking nursing prerequisites at Onondaga Community College in fall 2025 and hopes to eventually enter OCC’s Nursing program. She is also the Chair of Non-Traditional Student Success in Student Government, helping give a voice to students who, like her, are returning to college later in life.
For Walker, the opportunity to return to school would not have been possible without SUNY Reconnect, the state’s tuition-free community college program for eligible adult students. “It’s been a huge help. I could not afford college if I had to pay out of pocket. I could not afford to go back to school.”
Walker was born in the United States and holds dual citizenship, but after spending most of her childhood and young adulthood in Brazil, returning to the U.S. meant building a new life and finding work wherever she could. “Since coming here, I've always worked manual jobs. I cleaned houses, I worked at a bakery, I babysat, I worked in the manufacturing of cardboard boxes. My last job was at a printing center.”
Then her husband told her about OCC’s adult student programs and encouraged her to give college another try. Walker had attended college in Brazil, where she studied Pharmacology, but this time around she was determined to pursue a path that could bring her closer to the field that had fascinated her for so many years.
Returning to college also impacted her in another way. “I’m very shy. Being in Student Government made me come out of my comfort zone and go out and meet people. This is a great opportunity to help others and know how things work.”
She has also found encouragement throughout the OCC community. "I think this is a great college! It’s always focused on helping the students achieve. There are amazing people here to help students of all ages. They help you realize what you are good at, and what you need to do to achieve your goals. I think the resources here are amazing.”
But perhaps her greatest source of inspiration is someone who is no longer here to see her pursue her dream: her mother. Walker’s mother also returned to college later in life, earning degrees in Philosophy and Psychology. Throughout her life, she worked as an English teacher and translator in Brazil. Shortly after earning her Psychology degree, Walker’s mother died from COVID-19.
Her mother’s determination, however, remains with her. “I took inspiration from my mom. She was my inspiration to come back to school.” Now, Walker hopes her own story can encourage other adults who may wonder whether they have waited too long to pursue a college degree or a new career. “Anyone thinking about coming back to school, you should do it,” she said. “Don’t worry about what age you are! It’s never too late for you to go after what you want."
