When Jacob Weinheimer graduated from Fayetteville-Manlius High School in 2024, he wasn’t sure what he wanted to do next. He had a few possibilities in mind, but before he could figure it out, his family needed him at home.
After graduating high school, Weinheimer delayed going to college to help care for his father and work on the family sheep farm. “I took a semester off because my dad was sick. There's so much work to do on the farm everyday, we couldn't lose two people at the same time.”
He stayed home and helped wherever he could, including taking responsibility for cooking. “I would cook lunch and dinner every night and really got into cooking."
By the time he was ready to begin college, Weinheimer still wasn’t completely sure which direction he wanted to take. That uncertainty ultimately led him to Onondaga Community College. Weinheimer started in the spring 2025 semester, following in the footsteps of his sister, who studied Nursing at the College and is now a nurse at SUNY Upstate Medical University.
“It was the most convenient option and close to home but not too close. I'm able to live on campus and work year-round in my hometown.” He works at A.W. Wander in Manlius while pursuing his degree at OCC.
He initially decided to focus on the Mathematics & Science major. “I thought I would keep taking math classes until I failed, and I haven't failed yet!” His success helped him find his direction. He's pursuing a Mathematics & Science degree, which he plans to complete in May 2027. His fascination with how things work sparked his interest in Engineering Science courses, and this semester he started adding classes in that program.
After he completes his Mathematics & Science degree next May, he plans to transfer to SUNY Binghamton to study Electrical Engineering. The growing semiconductor industry in Central New York helped reinforce his decision. “With Micron coming, Electrical Engineering seems like a safe bet.”
While he has been finding his academic direction, Weinheimer has also found a place for himself in student government. As OCC's Vice President of Leadership & Academic Initiatives, he helps plan campus events and serves on college boards and committees. “I had gone to a lot of events in previous semesters, and I wanted to get involved in planning them,” he said. “I like being in Student Government, being on different boards, and seeing how the college works.”
His college experience has been about much more than earning a degree. It has been about discovering what comes next, and having the opportunity to explore that future close to home. “I've made a lot of friends here. There are a lot of amenities. Everyone has been super kind. I have great classes and am getting a great education.”
