Sajad Ali has found a home in the United States and on the Onondaga Community College campus.
Ali was born on the first day of the 21st century in Iraq, moved with his family to Syria 6 years later, and immigrated to the United States in 2013. When he arrived, he didn't know a word of English and had never seen snow. Five years later he graduated from Syracuse's Henninger High School and became a U.S. Citizen.
In the fall of 2018, Ali began taking classes at OCC. He left school when Covid arrived, and returned in the fall 2024 semester. He decided to focus on his lifelong fascination with computers and enrolled in the Computer Information Systems degree program. "I've liked computers since I was a kid. I liked playing around with them, downloading games, going to websites. When I came here and I saw the opportunity for a career in it, I said 'why not?'"
When he is not in class Ali can often be found in the Meg O'Connell Center where he is a work/study student, a member of the Extraordinary Men of Distinction Board, and Co-Chair of the Unity Day Committee. "I spend most of my time here, even if I'm not working. I enjoy being here with my friends and having conversations with them."
Ali will complete his degree in December, joining his two sisters as Onondaga Community College Alumni. His career goal is to become a network developer, designing, building, and maintaining computer networks. He feels fortunate for the time and experiences he's had on campus. "OCC is like home. I have everything here; classes, tutors, and great friends. There are great opportunities for everyone. I think OCC is the way to start your life."
