When Mohammad Alnamrouti arrived at Onondaga Community College this fall, he already had a head start on his freshman year. During the summer, Alnamrouti was one of 80 students who participated in OCC's Educational Opportunity Program five-week residential Pre-Freshman Institute, a college transition program designed to help students build the academic skills, confidence, and connections they need to succeed in college. The experience made a difference. "It helped me incredibly. I learned where everything was on campus, and met lots of people who helped me out many times."
Now a first-semester Business & Entrepreneurship student, Alnamrouti is putting that preparation to work. "When school started in August, I could see new students who were confused, and I helped out some. I was able to navigate my way to classes easily."
Starting college with confidence is especially meaningful to him. Neither of his parents earned a high school diploma, making his decision to pursue higher education a significant step for his family. A 2026 graduate of the Public Service Leadership Academy at Fowler, Alnamrouti came to OCC with encouragement from someone who had already discovered the college for herself: his older sister, Sereen, who is studying Early Childhood Education at OCC.
"During high school, I heard many things about OCC. I used to come here for field trips and scout it out." By his senior year, his sister had become an OCC student and helped him see OCC as a great first step. "She said it was an affordable place to come to, and it was a good way to start your first two years of college," he said.
Alnamrouti also had another reason for choosing Business & Entrepreneurship. "I've loved money ever since I was a little kid," he said. "I wish to have lots of money growing up. I feel this could give me a big jump start on pursuing my career."
And while he's focused on his future, Alnamrouti is also embracing the college experience. He's a member of OCC's Esports team and competes on the Valorant team. The college's Esports Arena has already made quite an impression. "The computers in the Esports Arena look like the year 3000! They are amazing!"
Being on a team has given him another community to be a part of on campus. "I love playing with other people, and communicating with them is a lot of fun and cool. And I am recruiting other students to play too."
It's a fitting start for a student who spent the summer learning how to navigate college, and is now helping others find their way.
