Olivia Ramirez found out about Onondaga Community College's Broadcast Media Communications degree program by chance, and she's glad she did. She was working at a local financial firm, Pinnacle Investments, when a video crew from…
Major: Early Childhood
High School: Central Square, class of 2018
Paris Graziano has always been a leader. Becoming President of OCC's Student Government was the logical next step for her. She represented students while attending Central Square High School and continued doing so last year…
If you stroll into the Automotive Technology lab on the first floor of the Whitney Applied Technology Center, there's a pretty good chance you will find Patrick Emdee there tinkering with something. "I'm enjoying every minute of being here. I like working with my hands and thinking with my mind…
What do you like to do in your spare time? Before Phil Impaglia became a student at Onondaga Community College, he had a unique pastime. "I enjoyed History as a hobby. I got to a point where I was writing research papers for fun as I read about history because I enjoy writing. A friend of mine…
If you were just an average student in high school, it's possible to become an excellent student in college. That's what happened to Ralph Smith. When he came to Onondaga Community College one year ago after graduating from Cicero-North Syracuse High School, he committed to being better. "I made…
Rashedul Alam was a high school Physics teacher in Bangladesh when he decided to move to the United States. After his wife earned a Biology degree from OCC, he enrolled in the College's Engineering Science degree program in 2018.
During his two years on campus he earned a nearly…
Major: General Studies
Home schooled from Oswego
Rebekah MacLean's life experiences have her on a path to a career assisting others. "When I was a junior in high school I became more and more interested in psychology. I was in therapy for a number of years and it really inspired me to…
Reverend Ashanti Dickerson came to Onondaga Community College in search of a healthcare related career and found a path in the new Healthcare Administration degree program. It provides students with a solid foundation for transfer and ultimately a position as a manager or administrator. "…
Ryan Merrow bet on himself and his bet is paying off. He's a first generation college student from tiny Weston, Vermont (population 566) who decided to come to Onondaga Community College sight unseen. He's blossomed into both an outstanding student and a leader amongst his peers. "I…
When Sabirin Hassan came to the United States from Somalia five years ago the only English she knew was "how are you?" She expanded her vocabulary by watching movies with the subtitles on and reading children's books. "I worked really hard to learn English," she said.
Hassan graduated…
Sajad Ali has found a home in the United States and on the Onondaga Community College campus.
Ali was born on the first day of the 21st century in Iraq, moved with his family to Syria 6 years later, and immigrated to the United States in 2013. When he arrived, he didn't know a word of…
Major: Fire Protection Technology
High School: Baldwinsville, class of 2018
Sam Farren always had an interest in firefighting. Every time she climbed into her stepfather's truck, she saw the blue light volunteer firefighters use. While recovering from a medical procedure she found…