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Tim Brown's participation in the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (C-STEP) and Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Program (L-SAMP) have played important roles in his development at Onondaga Community College. “The support I get from them is critical. And if they can provide a resource for you to get closer to an opportunity, they will move mountains. They’re awesome.”

Each Friday during the month of November we are recognizing one of our outstanding Student Veterans who served our country as a member of the United States Military, and is now pursuing a degree at Onondaga Community College. Today we introduce you to Jason Kramer.

Jason Kramer experienced some dangerous situations during his 10 years in the United States Air Force. While serving as a Forward Area Refueler, Kramer and fellow airmen would fly to the outskirts of a mission and provide fuel, ammunition, and supplies, all while working under the cover of darkness.

Being the first person in your family to attend college is a big deal! That's why five years ago the Council for Opportunity in Education and the Center for First-Generation Student Success decided to set aside one day each November to celebrate students taking this new and challenging path.

This year's nationwide celebration was held November 8. Students in Onondaga Community College's Opportunity Programs were invited to come to the Otis Suite in the SRC Arena for lunch and a few words of wisdom from those who had gone before them.

Jeff Cleland's life and career keep intersecting with Onondaga Community College. Cleland is a former United States Marine who earned his General Studies degree in 2013. Three years later he became a distinguished OCC Alumni Faces honoree while working at the George W. Bush Presidential Center as its Manager of Research and Policy.

Caio Hughes had left his family and friends behind, traveled thousands of miles across the ocean, and spent the last few years focused on a goal. When he finally reached it and earned the highest individual award possible, he was completely overwhelmed. "Coach Mike (Drake) called me and told me the news. I was shaking. I had been working for this for the better part of three years. It was more than just training on the pitch. It was how I ate and how I looked after myself to get to that next level. It was three years encapsulated in one moment of joy.

Kenna Maring '22 knows the value of getting an opportunity and taking advantage of it. While pursuing her Architectural Technology degree at Onondaga Community College, Maring was welcomed into VIP Structures as a job shadow. She was quickly elevated to intern, and after completing her associate degree in May became a full time employee as a Project Technician. "When I started job shadowing here I thought everything was temporary. I didn't realize it would turn into an internship and then a job."

Mohammad Afsar has turned challenging situations into valuable life lessons. Those experiences have brought him to Onondaga Community College where he has become a valuable member of the campus community.

When Afsar was growing up in Bangladesh, he was injured in a serious bicycle accident and was taken to a clinic. "It was during a time in the day when there was no electricity there and the clinical doctor was at prayer. I was sitting there with a t-shirt wrapped around my open wound, waiting for care."

Spring Registration is officially open! When it comes to registration, procrastination really doesn’t pay off. Keep yourself on track by registering sooner rather than later. We know that the process can be daunting, so we’ve put together a few tips.