Latasha Nellons has dreamed of becoming a nurse for as long as she can remember. "When I was 12 years old, I had back surgery. The care that I got was so amazing and nurturing and loving. I felt like my mom was taking care of me. I said I would definitely love to give that back when I get older. I love people, and I love to help others."
The numbers tell a clear story: the nation's need for skilled auto mechanics has reached a critical level. Between open positions and anticipated retirements, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an average of 70,000 job openings annually over the next decade. Adding to the challenge is the rapid pace of technological advancement in today's vehicles, which continue to grow more complex with each model year.
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.
Maria Malagisi
When Kierra Yager opened the letter telling her she had been selected for a statewide award, she was overwhelmed.
“I couldn’t believe it. I cried,” she said. “Growing up, education wasn’t something that was a priority, especially going off to college. In high school, I didn’t get the best grades. When I came here, I finally felt like what I was doing meant something."
When Taitannia Knight graduated from Liverpool High School in 2024, she already had a head start on college life. During her senior year, she took several Onondaga Community College classes in high school and earned nearly a semester’s worth of credits. So when she officially enrolled as a Business Administration major, Taitannia walked onto campus with momentum and a quiet confidence that she had made the right choice.
For Kim LaPoint '97, becoming an author wasn't a sudden retirement hobby. Instead, it was a dream that started when she was 10 years old. "I wanted to be a writer when I was a kid. I had little spiral journals I would fill with stories. I would bring the notebooks everywhere with me. If we went to visit relatives, the notebooks were with me. If my cousins weren't there, I'd sit at the table with the adults and write."
Nick Colon comes to class on the Onondaga Community College campus with the excitement of someone who has been waiting a long time for this opportunity - because he has. For the past 13 years, he’s worked in the computer department at Best Buy, answering questions, troubleshooting devices, and staying on top of the latest tech trends. But deep down, he always knew he wanted to take his interest in technology further.
Maurice Brown '17 remembers the exact moment he realized he needed to do more.
At the time, he was working at Onondaga Community College as a Success Coach, supporting students in the School of Liberal Arts. One student in particular stood out - an engaged student who was suddenly struggling and at risk of failing through no fault of their own. The problem wasn't academic. A major change to the local bus schedule meant the student could no longer get to campus until their first class of the day was nearly complete.
Onondaga Community College (OCC), in partnership with the Manufacturers Alliance of New York (MACNY), celebrated a significant milestone as 20 students completed the Advance 2 Apprenticeship and Real Life Rosies pre-apprenticeship programs. The ceremony, which was held January 29 on the OCC campus, brought together more than 50 representatives from local community organizations, industry partners, and families to honor the graduates’ achievements.
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.
Chuck Wilbur
