April Jackson attended Onondaga Community College three separate times, but each attempt was cut short by life’s challenges. Just when it seemed her opportunities had run out, a new door opened.
“I read about SUNY Reconnect on Syracuse.com and immediately went to the OCC website to see if the Health Information Technology degree was included. When I saw that it was, I knew it was time to come back.”
Onondaga Community College honored its 2026 Pinnacle Award winners April 29 in the Gordon Student Center Great Room, celebrating students whose influence extends far beyond the classroom. The Pinnacle program recognizes exceptional achievement in leadership, civic engagement, and scholarly research—distinguishing those who not only excel academically, but also leave a lasting mark on campus and in the community.
Onondaga Community College celebrated the power of perseverance and excellence during its Curriculum Honors ceremony on April 28 in Storer Auditorium.
The honorees represent the very best of their programs. They are students whose dedication set them apart, and whose journeys often included overcoming significant obstacles to reach this moment. Their achievements stand not only as academic milestones, but as inspiring reminders of what determination, resilience, and purpose can accomplish.
Onondaga Community College celebrated the achievements of past and present members of the Lazers' Athletics family during its annual banquet April 27 in the SRC Arena.
Five exceptional athletes and coaches were inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame, celebrating careers that helped define the college's tradition of excellence. The honorees are:
At 31 years old, Caterina Morgan is proving that it’s never too late to pursue a dream, and that Onondaga Community College is a great place to take advantage of limitless opportunities.
Morgan is a 2012 graduate of Cicero-North Syracuse High School who is completing her first year of college. She's studying Mathematics & Science with a specialization in Biology, and plans to graduate one year from now.
At age 25, Matt Sage is preparing to graduate from Onondaga Community College this spring with a degree in Sound Recording. It's an achievement that comes after a winding path that took him away from college and back again.
Sage first arrived at OCC in the spring of 2017 and enrolled in the Computer Information Systems program. “I did not do well,” he said. “I wasn’t quite ready. I needed to take time and decide what I wanted to do.”
Students in the Meg O’Connell Social Justice & Community Impact Scholars Program marked the culmination of a year defined by purpose and service during an April 24 celebration in Coulter Hall.
Each student was honored individually for the impact they made, receiving a certificate and a green commencement cord that will stand as a visible symbol of their commitment to making a difference.
The timing of the SUNY Reconnect program couldn’t have been better for Hanan Qahtan. As she prepared for her youngest of three children to start first grade in fall 2025, she also learned about New York State’s new tuition-free community college initiative.
“I had never been to college before,” she said. “I thought, this is the right time. I finally have time to study, and I want to focus on my future.”
When Claire Detor boarded a plane with ten fellow Onondaga Community College classmates for a service-learning trip to Puerto Rico, she knew it would be meaningful. What she didn’t expect was just how lasting the impact would be. “I loved it,” Detor said. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
