The week of October 21-25 is National Transfer Student Week. Onondaga Community College will host a Transfer Fair Wednesday, October 23 in the Gordon Student Center Great Room from 11:30am to 1:30pm. Students will have the opportunity to have in-person conversations with representatives of colleges and universities where they are interested in continuing their education. Between now and then, we are sharing stories with you daily of students who earned their associate degrees at OCC and transferred to four-year institutions.
When Saray Quevedo came to OCC from Syracuse's PSLA at Fowler High School in the fall of 2021, she was walking into a whole new world. "As a first-generation college student, navigating higher education without a family blueprint was challenging, but OCC provided the necessary support and resources."
She arrived shy and introverted, and transformed herself into a leader on campus. Quevedo was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, the Campus Safety Advisory Committee, the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program, the Federal TRIO Program, and a Meg O'Connell Scholar. She completed her Criminal Justice degree in December 2023 with a nearly perfect 3.9 grade point average. "OCC was a launchpad for me, preparing me to excel in my education. I learned the value of proactive communication, effective time management, and organization. My involvement in extracurricular activities enhanced my leadership and teamwork skills tremendously."
Quevedo transferred to Syracuse University where she is now in her second semester. She's dual majoring in Law and Psychology with a minor in Policy Studies. She plans to earn a Law degree there as well and become a federal prosecutor so she can stand up for victims. "In the process of succeeding, failure was part of my journey. OCC taught me that failure is a stepping stone to success. The challenges I faced and overcame at OCC made me stronger and more resilient, preparing me for the rigors of law school and the legal profession. My time at OCC was pivotal in preparing me for my transfer to SU. Words cannot fully express my gratitude for the support and opportunities OCC provided me throughout my college journey."
