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Taha Hayali had a unique "you're not in high school any more" moment. It happened in the fall of 2022 while he was taking classes on the Onondaga Community College campus but technically was still an 11th grade high school student. He noticed in class students would leave for the restroom without asking permission. "I just saw people get up and go! You didn't have to be excused. I remember the first time I did it and I looked around the room to see if anyone would notice or say anything!"

Onondaga Community College has several new academic programs which students can enroll in for the fall 2023 semester.

The list includes two new programs which could lead to a position at Micron or other employers.

Chidera Joseph is stunning, hilarious, and brilliant.

She's a far cry from the 11-year-old girl who immigrated to the United States from Nigeria after being orphaned. Joseph credits Onondaga Community College with making a life-changing difference in her journey. "My second semester at OCC and the support I received there is why I am where I am today. I may be physically away from OCC, but it is always in my heart."

If you're interested in a career in the food and hospitality industry, Onondaga Community College can give you everything you need to succeed. "Our students learn how to manage, they learn accounting, they learn how to control costs, they become certified in sanitation, and they learn how to manage human resources. We give them the tools they need to leave here and become an entry level manager or start their own small business," said Chef James Taylor, Chair of OCC's Hospitality Management program.

Tevin Martin is a 30-year-old student who is pursuing two degrees and is extremely active in clubs and organizations. "I have a long way to go and OCC is a great place for me to become the student I need to be. I have a much clearer sense of who I am, what I'm doing here, and what it takes. I see every day as an opportunity to become myself."

The P-TECH Program is helping Cole Duschen learn what he needs to know so he can begin working in his career field of choice at a young age. "I really love the experience. It's helping me get my foot in the door with an industry early on."

P-TECH stands for Pathways in Technology Early College High School. It's a program that provides high school students the opportunity to work toward their high school diploma and associate degree simultaneously, and ultimately a pathway to an in-demand job.

Onondaga Community College's chapter of international honor society Phi Theta Kappa, known as Alpha Sigma Seta, welcomed 168 new members during an induction ceremony March 29 in Storer Auditorium. Students must have a minimum grade point average of 3.5 to be selected.

Speakers during the induction ceremony included OCC President Dr. Warren Hilton, PTK Advisor Dr. Annie Tuttle, PTK Chapter President Andrew Coleman, and PTK Co-CP for Fellowship John Baker. OCC's Vocal Ensemble performed the National Anthem and the PTK Song under the direction of David Rudari, D.M.A.

When Nathan Moorehead was a student at Jordan-Elbridge High School, he took two years of Electrical Technology classes at the Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES. "It was more for residential, but I liked it and thought I would go a little bit further and get closer to the engineering side."

Dr. Mary Cope '16 has the career she always dreamed about. She turned her passion for animals into a profession, working as an Animal Nutritionist for BSM Partners, a consulting firm with a primary focus in the pet care, nutraceutical, and human food/nutrition industries.

Maxwell Sheer never considered a career in a health-related field until he began receiving treatment for a serious medical issue. "Once I became a patient fairly frequently, I built up a great respect for what professionals in that industry did. I never realized the level of education involved, the responsibility, and how autonomous they were."