- Major: Humanities
- High School: Marcellus, class of 2019
One year ago Emily Durand was in the process of working through some big decisions. She was a senior at Marcellus High School and feeling the pressure of having to plan her future. "I was very undecided about what I wanted to do for a career. When I applied to OCC I thought, 'I know they have a lot to offer.'" What she didn't know at the time was that her outstanding high school grades were about to open another door for her. "After I applied I received a letter in the mail telling me I might qualify for the Honors College. I was so fortunate."
OCC's Lillian Slutzker Honors College started in the fall 2018 semester thanks to a generous endowment from the Lillian Slutzker Foundation. Each year 15 high-achieving students are selected to attend tuition-free. They also receive a stipend each semester for books and supplies. Durand is a member of the second class of Honors College students and has found a home there. "Some of my closest friends are in the program. There's only 15 of us and we all have the same classes."
Durand has also found a home with OCC's athletics program. She's a goalie on the Women's Soccer team, an outfielder on the softball team, and a member of the Student Leadership Council.
Her decision to come to OCC has worked out perfectly and she loves sharing her excitement with her classmates from high school. "I'm really happy I'm here. I've been able to continue to play sports which I didn't think I'd be able to do. The Honors program is very cool. It helps with finances and they offer a lot of resources which I wouldn't get at a four-year school. When my friends ask me what it's like here I tell them 'you don't understand. It's AWESOME! I love it here."
