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Sadie Lurcock has loved math for as long as she can remember. "When I was in second grade I got to be the teacher's helper and help everyone with math. I was like, 'yup... this is it.'" By the time she got to high school and started hearing about the P-TECH program, she realized she could turn her math skills into a rewarding career.

T Nguyen has traveled halfway around the world to earn the first of what she hopes will be three college degrees. She'll complete the first leg of her journey in May when she receives her Mathematics & Science degree from Onondaga Community College. "I feel lucky to be here. So many people here at OCC have helped me with so many things."

Gina Segreti's journey to a high-achieving student seems almost unimaginable when you consider where she started from. She has epilepsy and autism, never knew her father, lost her mother at age 17, was bullied constantly in school, and was placed in a group home until she was old enough to live on her own.

In less than three months, Cooper Dawson will earn his associate degree in Mechanical Technology and walk into a full time job at Novelis, an aluminum mill in Oswego. "I'm super excited. It feels really good. A year ago I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I have a starting point and I can only go up form there. The wages are fantastic. I couldn't ask for a better job one year after high school."

Two members of Onondaga Community College's class of 2021 have been named semifinalists for the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation's Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. Hadassah Johnson and Eaint Win were chosen from a pool of over 1,500 applicants who attend 398 community colleges in 44 states and the District of Columbia. Cooke Scholar recipients will have access to generous financial support for two to three years, college planning support, ongoing advising, and the opportunity to connect with the thriving community of fellow scholars.

Ryan Merrow bet on himself and his bet is paying off. He's a first generation college student from tiny Weston, Vermont (population 566) who decided to come to Onondaga Community College sight unseen. He's blossomed into both an outstanding student and a leader amongst his peers. "I found this place, took a chance, and it's given me an opportunity to figure out all of the things I wanted to figure out. I had no one in my life who had even gone to college. I knew I needed a place to start the journey. I needed a place with resources and support.