A four year tour of duty working as an aircraft mechanic in the United States Air Force changed the course of Ikechukwu Unobagha’s life. “In high school I didn’t really have to study or try hard to do well. When I went to college, I didn’t realize how different it was going to be. The military…
Irene Douglas's daily motivation is a message her mother shared with her many years ago. "She told me 'you don't have a reason to do less than I did.' I want to be able to tell my kids the same thing one day. I want to have my bachelor's degree by the time my daughter is ready to go to college.…
Onondaga Community College wasn't Isaac Bennett's first choice. Or his second. Or his third. Or his...
You get the idea.
But after two years on campus?
"Now I'm saying 'I really like it here. Do I have to leave now?!?'"
During his senior year at Jamesville-Dewitt High…
Isaiah Bedoar has transformed himself from an average student at West Genesee High School to a high achieving one at Onondaga Community College. Earlier this semester he was inducted into the college's chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. "I do a lot better in environments where I can…
Ivo Perez Torres began dreaming about leaving Cuba for the United States when he learned English at age 17. "I was attracted to the opportunities and the freedom here, not just the political freedom but the freedom to choose my path, to do what I want the way I want."
Twenty years later…
Chicago native J. William Rogers has found a home on the Onondaga Community College campus. He's a 23-year-old Business Administration major who is part of the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (C-STEP) and the Extraordinary Men of Distinction. "This is an an amazing community…
Jacqueline Gayle planned to earn her Human Services degree at Onondaga Community College, then transfer to a four-year school. Her plans changed when she was the victim of domestic violence. "I felt my due process was violated. I was not allowed to attend court and read my victim impact…
When Jaedin Feimster was attending high school in New York City, he wasn't considering continuing his education. "I was working at Wendy's and just thinking about saving money." That changed when his mother told him she had a dream about him going to college. Feimster searched schools online,…
Baseball introduced Jake Humes to Onondaga Community College. Spending time on campus sold him on beginning his college education at OCC. During 9th and 10th grades at Batavia High School he traveled to the OCC campus twice for baseball clinics. On his second visit, he started thinking seriously…
Major: Electronic Media Communications
High School: Corcoran, class of 2018
Jalyn Handford is an inspiration. She’s been disabled since age 12 when surgery related to a spinal cord injury left her in a wheelchair. Through it all she’s never felt sorry for herself or had a ‘why me’ moment.…
Jamie Biviano feels incredibly fortunate to be at Onondaga Community College where she is surrounded by support. "I don't know how I fell into the hands of so many people who care about me."
Biviano is a 2006 graduate of Chittenango High School who tried college twice, spent a year…
Jasmine Martin decided on a career and academic path very early in life while watching her younger brother grow up with significant medical issues. "I remember as far back as 1st grade wanting to do something with science. Over the years, staying overnight with my brother at Golisano Children's…