Major: Early Childhood
High School: Dunkirk, class of 1994
Tricia Buttiglieri's road to a college degree began in the summer of 2018 when her husband was driving to work and spotted a billboard advertising OCC's new Weekend College. "He called me, told me about it, and said I should check…
You may not expect to hear a high-achieving student and athlete who earned a bachelor's degree before coming to Onondaga Community College say her time here was transformative, but that's Vanessa Esposito's story and she's sticking to it. "It changed my life for the better, more than I could…
Wilo Matan is determined to make a difference in the world. She's a native of Kenya who came to the United States five years ago and is pursuing a degree in Human Services. "There's so much injustice back home and there's no one to help or advocate for people. Everyone is on their own. I thought…
In just three months, Yasmin Hassan will become the first member of her family to earn a college degree. "My dad is so proud I'm graduating and I'm so proud of myself too. High school wasn't the easiest. I completely turned myself around here."
Hassan was just 6 months old when she…
Yesvier Aviles Mendez found his eventual career path as a member of his high school track & field team in Puerto Rico. "I was really good with my hands. My teammates were always asking me to help them stretch out and massage them before meets."
Those experiences coupled with a desire…
March 1, 2022 turned out to be a life-changing day for Yolanda Hosea. She was going door-to-door delivering packages to homes for a national shipping company when a large amount of snow and ice fell on her head, knocking her out of work temporarily. "I had time to reflect on what I wanted…
The kindness of Americans that Zainab Alsamerraire and her family experienced when they immigrated to the United States changed her academic and career focus. She had studied accounting in Iraq and planned to continue doing so here. She changed her mind after arriving in the United States three…
Zaineb "Zayy" Aden comes to Onondaga Community College every day with a deep sense of responsibility. She's the oldest of 13 children, and at the end of this semester she'll be the first member of her family to earn a college degree. "I want to be a good role model for my siblings and show them…
When Bryan Morris graduated from tiny Red Creek High School in 2004, he had no idea what was next. "My wheels were spinning. I wasn't going anywhere and I didn't have a plan. I knew I should go to school for something but I didn't know what for."
Morris joined the United States Air…
Devlin Babcock was nowhere near the top of his class when he graduated from Oswego High School in 2013. But look at him now! He's about to earn his Engineering Science degree from Onondaga Community College, then transfer to Cornell University where he will major in Electrical and…
Patty Sawmiller knows how in-demand cold-weather clothing is among students at Syracuse's Dr. Weeks Elementary School. "We have almost 800 kids in our school. We constantly hear about the need for hats, gloves, and coats. Every single set of hats and gloves I am receiving today means one more…
When Sarah Smith started working at Wegman's as a cashier four years ago, she was a high school student trying to save money for college. After graduating from Bishop Ludden in 2018, she came to Onondaga Community College and kept working while enrolled in the Humanities degree program. She…