Dr. Daryll Dykes, ‘83 is an amazing example of how someone can use a community college education to transform their life. After graduating from Fowler High School he joined the United States Marine Corps with the goal of using his military service to pay for college. After his honorable discharge, Dykes came to Onondaga Community College and began his academic journey. Today he is one of the nation’s top spine surgeons with Upstate Orthopedics.
COVID-19 couldn’t stop Onondaga Community College’s chapter of international honor society Phi Theta Kappa (PTK)! With students scattered across Central New York and much of the state, PTK held a virtual induction ceremony and welcomed in approximately 200 new members Wednesday night.
Onondaga Community College is about to change the way it teaches reading and writing. It’s all because of the tireless work of two English professors, coupled with work focused around a federal grant, and the reorganization of all of the College’s majors into eight schools. “Students won’t be placed into developmental reading or developmental English any more. We are building a course that is going to be receptive to the needs of all of our students and get them where they need to be in terms of their critical literacy skills,” said English Professor Malkiel Choseed, Ph.D.
The P-TECH program has given Eliza Velazquez an accelerated pathway to a career. She's a first generation college student who began thinking about her future several years ago. "I went to a P-TECH meeting in 7th grade and it interested me. I needed to go to college without having any expenses and this was a way to do so. It was a big part of my decision."
Leaders of Onondaga Community College’s award-winning chapter of international honor society Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) are doing their best to keep students connected and engaged during the coronavirus crisis. Between regular emails from PTK Coordinator Jackie Barstow and meetings conducted over the internet, students are continuing to get the most out of their PTK membership. “Our PTK Leadership Team Members have held several trainings over Zoom. They’ve also found creative ways for our College Project to continue in an online environment,” said Dr.
