Public

March Madness Returns to OCC!

The Gordon Student Center erupted with cheers shortly after 3 p.m. on Wednesday, March 8 when Onondaga Community College's Women's Basketball team learned they had been selected to participate in the National Junior College Athletic Association championship tournament for the second year in a row. You can watch video of them celebrating their selection by clicking on this link.

OCC Degree Leads To Life-Changing Career Change

A communications-related job at a Boston-area hospital provided Julie Kane '11 with a first-hand look at how health care professionals serve those in need. The experience changed the focus of her professional life. "I saw an array of experts collaborating on individualized patient care and knew that was where I belonged. I decided then and there to become a registered nurse."

"Mystery Person" Ready To Match Your Support

Onondaga Community College's "Snacks for Students" event needs your support to be a big success, and now a "mystery person" is raising the bar. An anonymous donor is promising to match anyone's gift up to $500! All money raised this week will go toward providing students with snacks next week.

A donation of just $10 will buy snacks for one student. Students will receive their snacks next Tuesday, March 14 and Wednesday, March 15.

Student Spotlight: Ikechukwu Unobagha

A four year tour of duty working as an aircraft mechanic in the United States Air Force changed the course of Ikechukwu Unobagha’s life. “In high school I didn’t really have to study or try hard to do well. When I went to college, I didn’t realize how different it was going to be. The military gave me the discipline and the study skills I needed.”

Unobagha, who is the son of immigrants from Nigeria, graduated from Fayetteville-Manlius High School in 2015. He tried college at a four-year school, then came to OCC, and ultimately decided to go into the military.

Early OCC: Malia Awald

Malia Awald is on the fast track to success. She's an 18 year old high school senior who is just a couple of months away from finishing her General Studies degree at Onondaga Community College. "I'm very proud of myself for completing both. I have a big family and I work. It can be hard to manage time, but I definitely think it's worth while."

Welcome Surprise for Nursing Students

Jessica Colegrove had waited just about as long as she could to buy some critical items she needed for her Nursing classes. Between being a single mom raising two kids, going to school, and working, she was counting her pennies. So when the OCC Foundation's Steffani Williams walked into class recently and presented each nursing student with a check for $320, the timing was perfect. "I pay out of pocket for everything and this is very appreciated. It helps a lot," said Colegrove.

Alumna Named National "Outstanding Alumni Award" Winner

Onondaga Community College Alumna Lanessa Owens-Chaplin '03 will receive a prestigious national award next month. She is one of only three recipients of the 2023 Outstanding Alumni Award from the American Association of Community Colleges. Owens-Chaplin is an attorney and lead counsel for the New York Civil Liberties Union. For several years the focus of her work has been making sure the elevated portion of Interstate 81 is replaced with a surface road system known as the community grid.