Lauren Shaler was only 14 years old when her father passed away, but his experiences as a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician made a lasting impression on her. "He would tell me stories and I would study his notebook. It was interesting. I liked hearing about what he did…
Major: General Studies
High School: Rocky Point on Long Island, class of 2017
Leo Burke has a unique side hustle. He's an OCC student who works remotely as a Solar Engineer for Long Island Power Solutions, designing solar-powered energy systems for homes and businesses. Once clients agree…
Lieve Marie-Claire Kitsa has forgotten what "free time" is because she simply doesn't have any. She's a student at Onondaga Community College who works full-time, is a mother, and a wife. She also has something new to celebrate. Earlier this semester she was inducted into the College's chapter…
OCC was always where Lily Simmons was going to begin her college education. Even though she was the 12th ranked student in Skaneateles High School's class of 2019 and could have had her choice of four-year schools, OCC was the only school she applied to. She'd watched her older brother J.K. go…
Major: Music with a specialization in Voice
High School: Vestal, class of 2018
Lily Woughter knew since middle school she wanted a career in music. Figuring out what exactly that career would look like took a little longer. "During high school I wasn't sure which branch of music to pursue.…
Lorien Renaud always had the ability to do well in school. The 35-year-old mother of three just needed to make it a priority in her life. "It's always been about how much I would apply myself. I learned I really had no one to rely on besides myself. That's the game plan that doesn't quit on me…
Degree: Criminal Justice
High School: Baldwinsville, class of 2018
Family tragedy inspired Luke's career goals. When he was 9 years old his mother was the victim of a homicide. The killer was never found. "I'm a person who loves to learn. As I grew up, I kept finding out things about my mom…
Lyla Hua has always wanted to get involved and make her community a better place to live. That's why she was class president at Henninger High School during her senior year in 2017-18, and why she's been heavily involved in campus life at Onondaga Community College during her two years here…
Degree programs: Humanities, Criminal Justice
High School: Central Square, class of 2019
Seven months ago Mackenzi Maxwell was in a bad place. The pandemic had arrived and campus was closed for in-person learning, making all classes online for the remainder of the semester. "…
Mackenzie Foster has traveled the world and come back home with a clear vision of what she plans to do. "I want to be a Nurse Practitioner. It will take me a few years to accomplish it but I'm pretty determined."
Foster grew up in Pompey where she was home schooled. Eventually she…
When Madi Morse completed her bachelor's degree in Screenwriting in just three and a half years, she was confident she was on the road to a successful career. She had done an internship at a television network in New York City and loved the experience. She had big dreams which wound up colliding…
Magedah Abed comes to Onondaga Community College carrying the dreams of her entire family. She's a first-generation college student who is showing her five younger siblings what their path to a better life will be. "My mother says I have to go to college and keep going. I'm setting an example…