SUNY Reconnect Success Stories
Meet OCC students taking advantage of the SUNY Reconnect program. It’s never too late to earn your college degree! Enroll today and start writing your success story.
Trinh Ho
- Age 31, Nursing.
- Moved to Syracuse from New Orleans at age 11 after her home was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.
“It's never too late to follow your dreams. My dream was to help people. OCC opened that door for me. You're never too old to try. Don't say you can't do it because everyone can. Trust me.”
– Trinh Ho
Acmed Avila Sage
- Age 31, Cybersecurity.
- Chose Cybersecurity after his personal data was hacked.
“My time at OCC has been great. My Cybersecurity professor talks to us about real-world applications that can happen to anyone. In cybersecurity, defense is the best offense.”
– Acmed Avila Sage
Amber Hart
- Age 32, Computer Science.
- Attended college previously because she “had to.” Now college is a “want to.”
“I'm so grateful. Every day I'm so thankful I have the opportunity to come back and finish a degree I'm interested in. I know Computer Science is a field of growth. I want to have a better life. I know for certain there's a bright outlook, whatever I do with it.”
– Amber Hart
Nick Hay
- Age 25, Electromechanical Technology.
- First attended OCC for Automotive Technology immediately after graduating high school. Left after one semester.
“It felt good to come back. I was motivated, I was determined, and I had a lot of energy to come to class every day. I was working full-time and taking classes full-time. SUNY Reconnect was a match made in heaven for me.”
– Nick Hay
Camilla Szelazek
- Age 40, Nursing.
- She is working at Wegmans while pursuing her degree.
“I'm extremely grateful for SUNY Reconnect. I want to make proper use of this opportunity and show that people who are older can go back to college and pursue their careers and their dreams, and that age is not a factor. You can alter your life in a good way at any phase of your life.”
– Camilla Szelazek
Tom Hawley
- Age 42, Electromechanical Technology.
- City of Syracuse Firefighter preparing for his next career.
“If you're considering it, do it! Don't second guess yourself. A lot of people think you can only have one career in your life. But you can always do something different as long as you're willing and able. Just do something you enjoy.”
– Tom Hawley
Danae Wyatt
- Age 35, Adolescence Education.
- Mother of three who works full-time at an elementary school and wants to become a high school counselor.
“If you are thinking about doing this, go for it! Shoot for the stars! I know it may seem scary when you are older with kids, but success is so empowering.”
– Danae Wyatt
Dillon Davis-Tirado
- Age 31, Construction Management.
- Spent a decade working multiple jobs before he decided it was time to improve his career options through higher education.
“This was way easier than when I was younger. At this age, all I wanted to do was improve my life and set an example for my kids. Your maturity level now is so much better. You can see the reason why you're doing it.”
– Dillon Davis-Tirado
Marie Alayna Byrnes
- Age 28, Health Information Technology.
- Tried college three times previously before finally finding the right situation for her at OCC.
“The feelings of this being unattainable are gone. Now it feels like this is something I'm conquering. I get to see my grades posted every week and see progress being made.”
– Marie Alayna Byrnes
Full story publishes December 19th, 2025.
John More
- Age 28, Architectural Design Studies.
- Came to OCC right after high school but left after one year.
“I like what I'm learning about, enjoy looking at what everyone else is doing in class, and talking to them. I also go to the math lab for help, and there are people there older than me. We bond by saying, 'Are you in the Reconnect program?' We share our life stories. It's cool to hear where everyone is from, why they're here, and build off that.”
– John More
Yamen El Ahmed
- Age 45, Automotive Technology.
- Speaks three languages fluently and worked as an interpreter and translator before enrolling at OCC.
“When I first heard about SUNY Reconnect, I thought, ‘This is not real.’ I’m so grateful to New York State for making this happen for people like me. I’m here today, willing to do everything possible to reach my goal.”
– Yamen El Ahmed
Jennifer Gridley
- Age 33, Health Sciences.
- Mother working toward a career as a Medical Examiner.
“SUNY Reconnect was the kick in the pants I needed to get back into school. I’m married, have kids, I’ve grown more, and I know financially I can’t support my family the way it needs with part-time jobs. It took me a decade-and-a-half to realize that, but it’s what I needed to be able to be focused and do well.”
– Jennifer Gridley
Full story publishes January 30th, 2026.
Jonathan Lorber
- Age 42, Electromechanical Technology
- Attended OCC twice previously. He is the building manager at the John H. Hughes State Office Building in Syracuse.
“My classes have a lot of Reconnect people in them. Everybody has the same goal of getting their education and trying to make things better. We all work together in groups and sit there after class trying to form study groups to help each other get through this. This is where we all want to be. This is a life-changing opportunity.”
– Jonathan Lorber