For Kim LaPoint '97, becoming an author wasn't a sudden retirement hobby. Instead, it was a dream that started when she was 10 years old. "I wanted to be a writer when I was a kid. I had little spiral journals I would fill with stories. I would bring the notebooks everywhere with me. If we went to visit relatives, the notebooks were with me. If my cousins weren't there, I'd sit at the table with the adults and write."
Nick Colon comes to class on the Onondaga Community College campus with the excitement of someone who has been waiting a long time for this opportunity - because he has. For the past 13 years, he’s worked in the computer department at Best Buy, answering questions, troubleshooting devices, and staying on top of the latest tech trends. But deep down, he always knew he wanted to take his interest in technology further.
Maurice Brown '17 remembers the exact moment he realized he needed to do more.
At the time, he was working at Onondaga Community College as a Success Coach, supporting students in the School of Liberal Arts. One student in particular stood out - an engaged student who was suddenly struggling and at risk of failing through no fault of their own. The problem wasn't academic. A major change to the local bus schedule meant the student could no longer get to campus until their first class of the day was nearly complete.
Onondaga Community College (OCC), in partnership with the Manufacturers Alliance of New York (MACNY), celebrated a significant milestone as 20 students completed the Advance 2 Apprenticeship and Real Life Rosies pre-apprenticeship programs. The ceremony, which was held January 29 on the OCC campus, brought together more than 50 representatives from local community organizations, industry partners, and families to honor the graduates’ achievements.
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.
Chuck Wilbur
Alicia Oberlender is passionate about strengthening the Onondaga Community College campus and making a positive impact in her surrounding community. That commitment inspired her to apply for a position on the first-ever National Grid Foundation Youth Advisory Council. She was thrilled to learn she was one of just 12 students selected from across New York, Massachusetts, and Delaware.
When Moha Al Rifaai walks into his Architectural Design Studies classes at Onondaga Community College, he carries more than sketches, software models, and class assignments. He carries a promise to himself, and to a home he hasn’t fully known since childhood.
When Carter Menikheim heard about the new SUNY Reconnect program, he didn't hesitate. "As soon as it was announced, I knew immediately I was going to college. I knew immediately I wanted to focus on computers as a career. I had taken Cisco online courses. I had a general background in IT. I had to hop on this. It's a great opportunity."
For students who grow up in the foster care system, the path to a college degree is often stacked against them. Nationally, only 3% to 4% of foster care students earn a four-year degree, and just 2% to 6% complete a two-year degree. Onondaga Community College's new Lazer’s Fostering Success College Program (LFSCP) is working to change that narrative.
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.
Kelly Unz
