Heather Johnson first saw her future at a family wedding. She was in seventh grade, watching the servers move through the room, carefully setting tables and coordinating the flow of the event. In that moment, something clicked. “I remember watching the servers, seeing them set everything up, and thinking, ‘I love this,’” Johnson said. “Ever since that moment, it’s what I wanted to do. I wanted to be an event coordinator.”
Most high school seniors are just beginning to think about college. At 17, Samara Hurtado is about to graduate from one.
In the coming months, Hurtado will graduate from the Syracuse Academy of Science while also completing her Engineering Science degree at Onondaga Community College. “I’ve always known I wanted to go to college,” Hurtado said. “I thought it would be a cool experience to get a head start. Ever since I entered high school, I’ve been working toward this.”
Valeriya Weeks brings a world of experience into her Architectural Design classes - but she's also starting over.
She's a native of the Soviet Union who immigrated to Turkey and spent 18 years working in architecture before moving to the United States with her family. Now she's relearning her craft in Onondaga Community College's Architectural Design degree program. "I'm so happy studying here. Even though I have experience, it's a plus for my memory."
Dr. Héctor Rodríguez has been appointed as the next Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs at Onondaga Community College.
Three students from Onondaga Community College have been named to the prestigious Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) All-New York State Academic Team! They were selected for their outstanding academic excellence and demonstrated leadership. These students represent the very best of Onondaga Community College, and their achievements reflect a deep commitment to scholarship, service, and academic distinction. The 2026 honorees are:
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.
Megan Detor
Three Onondaga Community College students have been chosen to receive the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence.
Each year SUNY recognizes students for outstanding achievements that demonstrate the integration of SUNY excellence within many aspects of their lives in areas such as academics, leadership, campus involvement, community service, or the arts. This is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon any SUNY student.
OCC's three honorees are:
Harley DeOrdio is just two months away from completing her Criminal Justice degree, and she already has a scholarship to help her continue her education at a four-year college.
On March 5, the 232nd anniversary of the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office, DeOrdio received a Criminal Justice Scholarship from the New York State Sheriffs' Institute. The award was presented by Onondaga County Sheriff Toby Shelley. “I’m honored to receive this,” DeOrdio said. “I’ll be putting it toward wherever I go next.”
On a campus filled with amazing human-interest stories, Ibrahim Abdul-Qadir stands out for what he does both inside and outside the classroom. He's a senior at the Syracuse Academy of Science who became a full-time student at Onondaga Community College during the fall 2025 semester, and did well enough to be named to the Provost's List (grade point average between 3.4 and 3.69).
The SUNY Reconnect program provided Brandon Noga with the motivation he needed to finally pursue a college degree. "I looked into it, saw it fit what I was looking for, and thought, 'How can I not do this now?' SUNY Reconnect was the kick in the butt I needed."
SUNY Reconnect is a new, tuition-free community college program for students between the ages of 25 and 55 who have not yet earned a college degree. It covers the cost of tuition, fees, books, and supplies after all other financial aid is applied.
