National Transfer Week: Yasmin Hassan's Transfer Story

The week of October 21-25 is National Transfer Student Week. Onondaga Community College will host a Transfer Fair tomorrow (Wednesday) 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.

Next May, Yasmin Hassan will become the first member of her family to earn a bachelor's degree when she graduates from Syracuse University. She's confident she wouldn't be where she is today had she not spent two years at Onondaga Community College. "Before OCC, I lacked confidence in my abilities. My time there completely changed that. The experience was invaluable. I met incredible people who taught me to advocate for myself and showed me that I am in control of my own success. The close-knit community and strong bonds with faculty at OCC were something I greatly appreciated."

Hassan was just 6 months old when she immigrated to the United States with 8 family members in 2004. Unlike her Somali-born parents, English became her primary language. By age 6 or 7, she was responsible for reading important documents for her parents. Helping them would inspire her to want to help others one day who were also new to America.

During her senior year at Syracuse's Nottingham High School, she decided she would begin her higher education journey at OCC. She enrolled in the fall of 2021. After a quiet first semester during which she didn't speak to many people, she decided to get involved and everything changed.

Hassan was part of the Educational Opportunity Program, the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program, the Federal TRIO program, and Student Government. "Being involved every day made me look forward to being here and wanting to keep coming back."

During her final semester she received the Norman R. McConney, Jr. Award for EOP Student Excellence. In May of 2023, she completed her Human Services degree and graduated Magna Cum Laude (grade point average between 3.6 and 3.79).

Last fall she enrolled in the Social Work program at Syracuse University, and she will complete her degree there next May. She plans to pursue a Master's Degree and is leaning towards a career as an immigration social worker, helping immigrants access necessary resources and navigate the immigration process. "My parents were in that position. There were people who helped us and I know the difference they made in our lives. I want to do that for others."

Wherever she winds up, OCC will always be the place where things started to fall into place for her. "The experience was transformative. The school taught me my worth and made me feel seen and valued. The personal growth and academic support I received were unparalleled. I would never have expected to come to SU and be on the Dean's List for my first two semesters here. My time at OCC will always be dear to my heart. OCC was my home away from home and I was given opportunities I never thought I would have."