Ahmed Fakhr is a 17-year-old high school senior who never actually took a class in high school. And now he's about to make the jump from Onondaga Community College to an Ivy League School. "I like to say I went from middle school to college. My first two years of high school were remote because of Covid, and then I came here."
His high school is the Ihsan School of Excellence on Park Street in Syracuse. Fakhr is enrolled here as part of the Early OCC program. It provides high school students the opportunity to take OCC courses on campus during their regular school day. Students receive a tuition waiver and are only required to pay for their books and associated course fees. Through the Early OCC program, students are able to begin earning college credits on a pathway toward their desired degree.
Fakhr became a full-time student at OCC in the fall of 2021, which was also his junior year of high school. He enrolled in the Mathematics & Science degree program. "One of my goals is to become an anesthesiologist and part of public health policy. Mathematics & Science allowed me to take classes in business, math, science, and the liberal arts."
During his two years on campus Fakhr enjoyed Dr. Gwen Wehbe's Biology class the most. "She created a deeper love for biology in me. Her Introductory to Bio course made it very easy for students to adapt and go onto the more difficult Bio courses. She really wants her students to succeed."
Next month Fakhr will complete his degree. In the fall he'll be a freshman at Cornell University where he plans to major in Biological Sciences with a minor in Political Science. "I think OCC definitely prepared me for what's to come. When I applied to Cornell it stood out that I was working toward my associate degree when I was also in 12th grade."
At home, Fakhr is the oldest of five siblings. Next in line is a 10th grader who is also taking classes at OCC. "They tell me I set the bar high. They really appreciate my hard work and the fact I keep trying. It inspires them."
