Six Onondaga Community College graduates will be recognized as distinguished Alumni Faces honorees for their professional achievements and contributions to the college and the community. Their accomplishments will be highlighted during an induction ceremony April 3 at 5 p.m. in the Frederick Marvin and Ernst Schuh Recital Hall in the Academic II Building. Today we highlight honoree Jasenko Mondom '09.
Jasenko Mondom is a refugee from war-torn Bosnia who dedicated his life to educating fellow refugees in the United States.
The Mondom’s fled their home in 1992, spent five years in Germany, and were welcomed to the United States in 1997. Jasenko completed the Refugee Assistance Program and was hired by the Syracuse City School District to train refugees for entry-level manufacturing jobs. More than 1,000 of the refugees he assisted became employed because of his efforts.
He earned degrees from OCC and Columbia College, served on several community advisory boards, and won multiple awards for his service. “My education at OCC provided me with a strong base to continue my studies after graduation. My parents always advised me to help others, telling me ‘the beauty of giving back to the community is that you are rewarded with personal happiness and satisfaction.’”
