Eight years after immigrating from Ukraine to the United States, Maksym Cherevatyi is about to earn his first college degree. Cherevatyi is a 2024 graduate of Baldwinsville High School who chose Onondaga Community College after being influenced by both practical advice and personal connections. "Several of my teachers recommended OCC as a first step because I would save money," he said. "Also, a lot of my Ukrainian friends went to school here, and we have a pretty big community here."
His high school experience also influenced his course of study. He planned to study Civil Engineering in college, but during his senior year at B'ville, he took two computer-related classes. He enjoyed them so much, he chose Computer Science as his major at OCC. "I really like it here, especially my Math and Computer Science professors. They are pretty experienced, explain everything well, and are always very supportive."
After a successful first semester on campus, Cherevatyi decided to get involved in activities outside class. He joined the Coding Club and became its vice president. He applied for the Meg O'Connell Social Justice Scholar program, and this semester is one of 15 participating students. He's also part of the online AT3 program, which stands for Advanced Technology Technician Training. It provides technical education students virtual reality simulations and pathways to internships in the micro, nano, and other high-tech fields.
During the summer of 2025, Cherevatyi gained valuable real-world experience through an internship at Cloud 10 Messenger Communications in Syracuse. "It went well. The company is small, so I was able to work with the head of the company. You get to know everyone there, and it's like family."
After he completes his degree next May, Cherevatyi plans to transfer to a four-year school and pursue a bachelor's degree in Computer Science.
