When Joshua Newman graduated from Queens Technical High School two years ago, he hoped to attend college somewhere in the New York City area. But his father wanted him to experience life away from home and encouraged him to find a college that could give him the total on-campus experience. He…
Judah Bailey is on the right path and he credits the military with helping him find his way. "It's taught me delayed gratification. I know it's important to work for something and not expect results immediately. I know the value of the compounding interest of things. You have to get up,…
Justin Kuneman was making good money waiting tables at Pastabilities, a popular restaurant in Armory Square, and was content to keep doing so, until a conversation with his girlfriend changed the course of his life. "We both wanted a family in the future, and she helped me realize I couldn't do…
Ka'Chane Russell was disappointed when her family's financial situation forced her to leave a private four-year college in New Jersey and transfer to a community college. But today she couldn't be happier about being at Onondaga Community College. "I love it here. I know what my purpose is. This…
Kasha Flagg has found the support she needs to succeed in every corner of the Onondaga Community College campus. "The professors are really good and they work with you on a lot of things. They're always willing to help and guide me. And there are a lot of resources here for you to take…
At 58, Kate Adler is proud of who she is and where she is headed. "I'm the oldest student in my class and older than most of the professors. Pursuing my retirement career means the world to me, and I'm grateful for OCC."
Adler is enrolled in Onondaga Community College's Electromechanical…
College didn't go well for Katie Doshna the first time she tried it, so the mother of four decided to wait until later in life. Once she hit her 40s, she knew the time was right. "My kids were old enough and I was ready. My oldest daughter is in 10th grade and I wanted to instill in them that '…
Katie Morgan was in the middle of a work day when she had her 'aha moment.' "I was sitting in a meeting that could have been an email thinking 'what am I doing here? I can't do this for another 20 to 25 years.'"
Her job paid well but wasn't fulfilling. She thought about her options, talked…
Two years ago when Katie Sullivan was a senior at Jamesville-Dewitt High School, she wasn't sure where she wanted to go to college or what she wanted to study. Sullivan discussed her predicament with her Guidance Counselor who recommended she consider Onondaga Community College's…
Katya Rohova has vivid memories of Russia invading Ukraine in February of 2022. She was living in her native Ukraine in the capital city of Kyiv when the war started. "I remember waking up because of explosions and my parents telling us we had to pack our stuff. We sat at home for two days…
If you're thinking about changing careers and coming to college later in life, Kay Moses has two simple words of advice: "Do it!"
Moses is a 43-year-old mother of five who spent most of her working years in retail before an unfortunate accident got her thinking about her present career…
Kaylee Moreau told herself over and over again that she didn't have time for college. She's a single mom who focused all of her time and energy on her two children and her job. "I'd convince myself if I went to school I wouldn't be able to work full-time and provide for my kids. If I went…