Throughout the spring semester, we are introducing you to several of our Student Success Navigators. For Onondaga Community College students, they are the dedicated point of contact for support. Student Success Navigators assist with class registration, help students stay on track academically, and connect students with campus resources to support their success.
Megan Detor
Three Onondaga Community College students have been chosen to receive the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence.
Each year SUNY recognizes students for outstanding achievements that demonstrate the integration of SUNY excellence within many aspects of their lives in areas such as academics, leadership, campus involvement, community service, or the arts. This is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon any SUNY student.
OCC's three honorees are:
Harley DeOrdio is just two months away from completing her Criminal Justice degree, and she already has a scholarship to help her continue her education at a four-year college.
On March 5, the 232nd anniversary of the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office, DeOrdio received a Criminal Justice Scholarship from the New York State Sheriffs' Institute. The award was presented by Onondaga County Sheriff Toby Shelley. “I’m honored to receive this,” DeOrdio said. “I’ll be putting it toward wherever I go next.”
On a campus filled with amazing human-interest stories, Ibrahim Abdul-Qadir stands out for what he does both inside and outside the classroom. He's a senior at the Syracuse Academy of Science who became a full-time student at Onondaga Community College during the fall 2025 semester, and did well enough to be named to the Provost's List (grade point average between 3.4 and 3.69).
The SUNY Reconnect program provided Brandon Noga with the motivation he needed to finally pursue a college degree. "I looked into it, saw it fit what I was looking for, and thought, 'How can I not do this now?' SUNY Reconnect was the kick in the butt I needed."
SUNY Reconnect is a new, tuition-free community college program for students between the ages of 25 and 55 who have not yet earned a college degree. It covers the cost of tuition, fees, books, and supplies after all other financial aid is applied.
March Madness has returned to the Onondaga Community College campus!
Lazers' student-athletes representing Basketball, Wrestling, and Track are competing for national championships across the country this month.
Onondaga Community College has been named a 2026 Leader College by Achieving the Dream (ATD), a national nonprofit dedicated to advancing community college student success. The announcement of OCC's selection was made at the Achieving the Dream annual convening in Portland, Oregon.
Each year, ATD recognizes a select group of institutions that demonstrate sustained, measurable improvements in student outcomes. Leader Colleges are distinguished for implementing evidence-based strategies that close equity gaps, strengthen student support systems, and drive long-term success.
Throughout the spring semester, we are introducing you to several of our Student Success Navigators. For Onondaga Community College students, they are the dedicated point of contact for support. Student Success Navigators assist with class registration, help students stay on track academically, and connect students with campus resources to support their success.
Kyla Merriman
When Lisa GreenPope '08 talks to students about careers in healthcare, she brings more than a syllabus to the classroom. She brings a lived experience from nearly every corner of the field. From county health departments and clinical research to hospital systems and higher education, GreenPope has built a career defined by curiosity, adaptability, and a commitment to helping others find their path. Now she's back at Onondaga Community College, eager to share what she's learned with the next generation.
When it came time to choose a college, Tessa Komar wasn’t ready to narrow her interests to just one path. Growing up in the Fayetteville-Manlius School District, she discovered passions that spanned journalism, ethics, the arts, and advocacy. Onondaga Community College offered her the flexibility to explore them all.
