Muhammad Amer is accelerating his path through higher education thanks to Onondaga Community College’s Early OCC program. Within the span of a single month, he will celebrate two major milestones: earning his high school diploma and completing his Mathematics & Science degree from OCC. “I’m very blessed,” Amer said. “I wanted to make sure I took full advantage of this opportunity, and I did.”
As a student at the Ihsan School of Excellence in Syracuse, Amer had watched older classmates successfully pursue the same path. Inspired by their example, he knew early on it was the right choice for him. “Our school started preparing us for this from the beginning. I was earning college-level credits in high school before I ever set foot on OCC’s campus.”
By his junior year, Amer was taking classes on campus. It was an experience that quickly helped him grow both academically and personally. “Being here made you feel like an adult. It helped you adapt. You build your character, learn how to socialize and interact with different people, and really develop your sense of self.”
Beyond the classroom, Amer found community among fellow Early OCC students. Between classes, they often got together in Coulter Library - a gathering that became central to their routine and success. “The library was the place to go. It gave you a sense of peace and comfort, and the kind of environment where you could really focus and put in the time your classes required.”
This fall, Amer will continue his academic journey at Le Moyne College, where he plans to major in Biology and pursue a career in the sciences. With two years of college already behind him, he’s eager for what comes next, and hopes others will follow a similar path. “Any student who has the opportunity to take advantage of OCC’s program, I strongly recommend they do. You’re setting yourself up for the future. You’re saving time on your education, and you’re building habits, responsibility, and discipline that will stay with you for the rest of your life.”
