April was national Community College Month, providing an opportunity to celebrate the life-changing opportunities available to students of all ages at open access institutions from coast-to-coast.
At Onondaga Community College, a wide-range of activities and achievements during April highlighted the institution's important place in the community.
Jamie Biviano feels incredibly fortunate to be at Onondaga Community College where she is surrounded by support. "I don't know how I fell into the hands of so many people who care about me."
Biviano is a 2006 graduate of Chittenango High School who tried college twice, spent a year teaching Tae Kwon Do, then decided to join the United States Air Force in 2008. Four years later during a deployment to Afghanistan, she suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury. She also developed a physical injury which would require extensive medical care. She retired from the Air Force in 2014.
Gabriel Bui immigrated to the United States from Vietnam in June of 2019, and in his nearly 5 years here he's compiled an impressive list of accomplishments. He's joined the U.S. Army Reserves, earned his Criminal Justice degree from Onondaga Community College, and completed a bachelor's degree at SUNY Oswego.
Onondaga Community College students interested in STEM-related careers had an opportunity to take their technology-related questions straight to the top!
When President Biden came to Syracuse April 25 for a Micron-related announcement at the Museum of Science and Technology, he was joined by his Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and Assistant to the President for Science and Technology. And when the President's event concluded, Dr. Arati Prabhakar came up the hill to have a conversation with OCC students.
Graduating Black, African-American, and African students were recognized during OCC's annual Kente Celebration, held April 24 in Storer Auditorium.
The event was organized and emceed by Flagan Prince, Director of Early College Pathways and K-12 Partnerships.
Opening remarks were delivered by President Warren Hilton.
History Professor Tara Ross discussed the history of the Kente Cloth.
Graduating students Jaedin Feimster-Roget and Senora Ramseur shared their OCC experiences with those in attendance.
Duke Sturgis had a good job in a machine shop when he heard about a new program at Onondaga Community College and decided to give it a try.
The rapidly rising cost of tuition at some colleges and the suffocating debt which accompanies it is one of the hot topics in our country. It's a topic Laura Frateschi hasn't had to concern herself with thanks to the OCC Advantage program. "At a young age I didn't have a huge understanding of the concept of money. I watched all of my friends go away to four-year colleges and I was a little bit jealous. I quickly found out after my first semester that I made a great decision and it's life-changing for me."
Jake Proctor's career goal is to help fellow Veterans figure out what comes after they complete their military service. So when he heard about the State University of New York's (SUNY) new Veterans Enrollment and Support Internship Program which would be implemented at Onondaga Community College, he thought he was the perfect person for the job. "I can articulate the benefits of OCC as a Veteran, what we have going on here, how they can succeed, share my experiences, and give them that encouragement which was what I needed to start.
Monica Barksdale is a no-nonsense adult learner. With 7 children, 3 dogs, her own business, and a full-time job, she doesn't have a moment to waste. Taking classes at Onondaga Community College along with all of the other moving parts in her life is a big challenge, and she's ready for it. "Failure is not an option. I need to do this, accomplish this, get through this because it's going to be a stepping stone towards greater things."
Five Onondaga Community College students took advantage of an opportunity to explore an summer learning opportunity. On April 19 they visited SUNY Binghamton where they will spend most of the summer participating in the Bridges to Baccalaureate program. The 8-week paid summer science research experience helps underrepresented students transition from community colleges to a four-year institution.
This summer's participants from OCC are:
