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When Renee Starowicz was a senior at Liverpool High School and considering where she might begin her higher education journey, she was a strong enough student to go to nearly any college or university. But life circumstances led her to conclude Onondaga Community College was the best place for her. “I was working. I had family responsibilities. Staying and going to OCC was the perfect step to build my own self-determination. The accessibility and the culture of the campus was the best for me at that point.”

As a student at Bellport High School on Long Island, Kyle Goff barely survived academically. "I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life and I didn't have the motivation to work hard in high school."

After receiving his diploma in 2017 Goff spent three years working a carpentry job and painting houses. Lessons learned during that period changed his life. "Getting that real world experience helped me find what was lost and become who I am today. I'm a totally different person now."

Onondaga Community College students Kierstin Lorraine and Jadrien Jones are spending part of their semester break figuring out what they'll be studying in the future. They're participating in a two week internship at the Heroy Geology Lab at Syracuse University where they are working with and learning from Professor Melissa L. Chipman Ph.D. "Kiersten is extremely meticulous and very excited about everything we are doing and Jadrien is a quick learner. He works in the lab like he's been there for ages," said Chipman.

Kiersten Spears has vivid memories of when she started working with with Dennis Burgos. It was the fall of 2014, her first semester at Onondaga Community College in the Fire Protection Technology degree program. She was a new member of Student Patrol and Burgos, who was a retired State Trooper, was a Security Guard with Campus Safety and Security. "We would walk around campus together and he would say hello to literally everyone. I asked him if he knew everyone and he would say 'yes. You can never have a bad day if someone walks up to you and says hello first.'"

Two years ago when Katie Sullivan was a senior at Jamesville-Dewitt High School, she wasn't sure where she wanted to go to college or what she wanted to study. Sullivan discussed her predicament with her Guidance Counselor who recommended she consider Onondaga Community College's Lillian Slutzker Honors College. "I looked into it and thought it was a good option. I'm so glad I came here. Being part of the Honors College has helped me meet people and feel comfortable without going into debt."

If cold temperatures and lack of sunlight have you feeling the winter blues, there's a remedy on the OCC campus. The award-winning work of area junior and senior high school students is now lining the halls of the Whitney Applied Technology Center with the installation of the annual CNY Scholastic Art Show.

A visit to the CNY Scholastic Art show while Emily Pitoniak was a student at Camden High School ultimately brought her back to campus as an OCC student.

Dr. Daryll Dykes' Ph.D., MD, JD fell in love with the power of medicine at an early age. When he was a young boy growing up on Syracuse’s west side, he enjoyed visiting his mother while she worked as a nurse. After graduating from Fowler High School in 1980, Dykes joined the United States Marine Corps as a way of paying for college. When he completed his military obligation Dykes came to OCC and majored in Mathematics & Science, completing his degree in 1983. “The classes and professors really ignited my passion for learning.

Donna J. DeSiato Ed.D. is a highly-respected leader in the field of public education who has proudly recognized Onondaga Community College for providing her with a strong academic foundation.

DeSiato earned her Humanities degree from OCC in 1969 followed by a bachelor's degree from the University of Miami, a master's degree from SUNY Cortland, a Certificate of Advanced Study from SUNY Oswego, and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from SUNY Oswego.