Alex Espitia-Casallas spent a decade working as a baker before he decided it was time to do something else. He had attended college immediately after graduating high school in Reno, Nevada and left after one semester. "My first time in college was a total failure. I didn't know what I was doing or what I wanted to do. It hung over me like a gray cloud for a long time.
Brian Johnson is working on a book about his life story and he's titling it From Rags to Riches. It symbolizes his journey from being poor to being wealthy, but his wealth doesn't have anything to do with material possessions. "I'm rich in the spirit. I have millions in spirit. That's my faith talking. It's not about the money."
Four students in Onondaga Community College's new Electromechanical Technology degree program are heading west for the summer. They've been selected for paid internships at Micron in Boise, Idaho. "I'm looking forward to moving across the country and seeing new things," said Kah-Lelle Akins (Central Square HS 2017). "I hope to show them that choosing Clay was a good decision. We are setting examples when we go out there."
Michael Speach '02 is putting a new spin on fundraising for not-for-profit agencies. Speach is the President and Head Chocolatier of the 104-year-old Speach Family Candy Shoppe. He's brought a jukebox into his store and filled it with hit records. Customers visiting his business at 2400 Lodi Street on Syracuse's North Side can pay 25 cents to play the song of their choice, and the money is donated to a charitable cause. "It's been a lot of fun and the jukebox has been a great addition to the store," said Speach.
On a beautiful spring day in May of 2022, Galia Amor and her mother made a spur-of-the-moment decision to take a ride to Onondaga Community College and visit campus unannounced. Even though both of her parents attended community colleges, Amor wasn't sure it was the right path for her. During her senior year at Fayetteville-Manlius high school, she had been accepted at four-year schools but hadn't made a final decision yet. The welcoming environment they found during their spontaneous visit made the difference. "We just pulled up and didn't know anybody.
Onondaga Community College's 17 Athletics teams have won 16 national championships. That sustained excellence would not be possible without tremendous support from the community.
As part of an ongoing effort to support Lazers Student-Athletes of today and tomorrow, the OCC Athletics Department's "Week of Giving" campaign runs from Monday, February 5 to Tuesday, February 13. Money raised will be used to buy uniforms and equipment, support team travel, and help pay for the annual OCC Athletics banquet during which all Lazers Student-Athletes are celebrated.
How far would you travel for the opportunity to improve your life? For Susan and Ater Lay who were living and working in the Southeast Asian nation of Myanmar, the answer was 'the other side of the world.' "I was working in a restaurant and he was working in a spa," she said. "We wanted to show people where we came from what we could do."
In 2017 the Lay's immigrated to the United States. The married couple came with a list of things they wanted to accomplish; learn English, pass their GED exams, work full-time, become American citizens, and earn their college degrees.
This is a guest blog from Learning Center tutors.
It’s that time of year again! The last day of classes is fast approaching, so it is time to start preparing for finals. Whether this is your first semester, or you have a few under your belt, final exam preparation is important. Here is some advice to help you succeed.
Best 5 Tips to Prepare for Finals:
