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The OCC Foundation is conducting a year-end appeal, raising money for student success. Current Onondaga Community College students who are benefitting from your support include:

Eric Shear

When Anthony Lisi decided on a career path, he came to Onondaga Community College's Office of Veterans and Military Services. "I walked in, talked to Steve, said 'these are the prerequisites I need, can you get me there?' He's been more than incredible." The "Steve" Lisi referred to is Steve White, Assistant Director of Veterans Affairs at OCC. "He's the best," said Lisi. "You know he's got your back.

Abdukadir Magezi Shuraim had a challenging introduction to life in the United States. He arrived from Uganda in January 2020 with limited English skills, and immediately became a student at Syracuse's Nottingham High School. Two months later, school doors closed and classes became virtual due to decisions made related to COVID-19. He would receive his high school diploma in 2021 and enroll at Onondaga Community College that fall. "Coming to college for the first year was really my first time reacting with people in-person. I kept quiet the whole time.

Glenna Jackson is in a position to help people in the community today thanks to her incredible resiliency and support she received while she was a student at Onondaga Community College.

On Christmas Day in 2021, her 32-year-old daughter died unexpectedly. At the time, Jackson was a full-time student at OCC. Her daughter's death decimated her both emotionally and financially "I had just buried my daughter. I didn't have any money. I fell behind on my bills. The help I got was right on time. I wouldn't have been able to keep going to school without it."

There is a critical shortage of healthcare workers nationwide. For example, the American Hospital Association estimates the workforce will need to add at least 200,000 nurses a year to meet increased demand and replace retiring nurses. Complicating matters is an insufficient number of qualified faculty, clinical sites, and classroom space.

A faith-based quote Saray Quevedo's mother shared with her at a young age provides her the daily inspiration to be the best she can be. "'If God is with me, who's against me?'  That quote has brought me through everything in my entire life. It's why I have succeeded."

Onondaga Community College's chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society welcomed 116 new members during an induction ceremony October 25 in Storer Auditorium. PTK is the official international honor society of two-year colleges. New members must have completed a minimum of 12 credit hours at OCC, and have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5. The fall 2023 PTK Honor Society inductees are:

When Dio Brown stepped inside the massive Amazon Fulfillment Center, it felt like a dream come true. The Advanced Robotics Sortable facility in Liverpool is one of Amazon's newest and largest in the United States. "When we first walked in, the first thing we saw was robotics. It was amazing how synchronized all of the movement was. It was a cool introduction. We saw several floors... the robotic arms, the trolleys zipping around. It was something I always wanted to see.