Dominick Kastner is a 28-year-old Student Veteran who is ready to do well in the classroom. "I didn't really like school when I was growing up. The time in the Army and being away from school really changed me."
Kastner is a native of Southern California who spent five years in the United States Army. His time serving his country included deployments to Afghanistan and Syria. In February of 2024, he was honorably discharged.
While stationed at Fort Drum, he had a friend who took classes at Onondaga Community College before transferring into Course Hospital's School of Nursing. "I decided to follow his path. I've always been interested in science and there are a lot of options within Nursing."
Kastner started taking Nursing pre-requisites at OCC in the fall of 2024. He found a home on campus in Office of Veterans and Military Services. "The office gives us a sense of community on campus which we left behind in the military. And Steve White (who runs the office) is the best. He not only guides you in the right direction, but he would give you the shirt off his back. He's very helpful and I'm grateful for Steve."
When he isn't in class or the Office of Veterans and Military Services, Kastner can usually be found in the Learning Center, the free tutoring facility in the Gordon Student Center where he works.
He hopes current and future students will appreciate everything OCC has to offer. "Take advantage of everything that is here... counseling, office hours with your professors... everything. There are so many resources here."
