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About nine months ago, Sam Pandossi decided to gamble on himself. He had tried college before but it didn't work out. He had become used to the security of a full-time job in retail and the financial security that went along with it.

Then he heard about Micron, and the new Electromechanical Technology program which would be starting at Onondaga Community College. He considered his options and decided to enroll. "My anxiety was off the charts. I had to quit my job. The whole time I was asking myself 'is this the right call?' I'm leaving a steady paycheck for a big risk."

The OCC Foundation is Lazer-focused on supporting students. That's why on Monday, April 15 the College will begin a "Week of Giving" fundraiser. Because 85% of OCC graduates live and work within 25 miles of the campus, when you support students you are also ensuring a vibrant future for our community.

OCC students come from a wide variety of backgrounds with a shared goal of improving their lives through higher education. Our unique student population includes:

It's not unusual for students to travel to warm climates during spring break. But for 10 Onondaga Community College students who are also Meg O'Connell Social Justice Scholars, their trip to Puerto Rico last month was all about community service. "While we helped others, we learned so much and bonded through the experience. We lived the lifelong learning of a college," said Dr. Annie Tuttle, PTK Advisor and Assistant Dean of Civic Engagement.  

Two distinguished alumni will receive SUNY Doctorate degrees during Onondaga Community College's Commencement Ceremony.

There was a mix of "ooos, "ahhhs," and applause as the Onondaga Community College campus suddenly went dark during the solar eclipse on the afternoon of April 8, 2024.

In the hour-and-a-half leading up to the eclipse OCC's Pep Band played, Professor Fred Jaquin and Professor Melissa Hicks explained to spectators what they were seeing, and there were eclipse-themed cookies to enjoy.

Below is a video of the West Quad in totality (press the play icon), followed by photos of members of the campus community enjoying the historic moment.

There are nearly 1,300 Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society chapters around the world. And Onondaga Community College's chapter has the hardware to prove it is among the best!

At the recent PTK international conference known as Catalyst, OCC received the following awards:

Onondaga Community College wasn't Isaac Bennett's first choice. Or his second. Or his third. Or his...

You get the idea.

But after two years on campus?

"Now I'm saying 'I really like it here. Do I have to leave now?!?'"

During his senior year at Jamesville-Dewitt High School, Bennett applied to more than a dozen schools. "I hoped one would give me a really good scholarship. I knew I couldn't afford most four-year colleges. None of those ended up working out. My last option was OCC."

The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) will present Onondaga Community College Alumna Kayla McKeon '22 with the National Outstanding Alumni Award. She will be honored April 9 at the AACC's annual conference in Louisville, KY.

Jasmine Martin decided on a career and academic path very early in life while watching her younger brother grow up with significant medical issues. "I remember as far back as 1st grade wanting to do something with science. Over the years, staying overnight with my brother at Golisano Children's Hospital, I met the  entire staff there and learned how they got into their field. They told me I seemed incredibly interested, and they always needed more people to work there."