One year ago at this time, Thuw J-Elmi was just beginning her journey at Onondaga Community College. She had come here from the Chicago area, spent the previous year taking classes at home because of Covid, and didn't know anyone on campus.
Early in her first semester she decided to take…
Onondaga Community College provided Tiffany Williams the support system she needed to be a successful college student. "It's been such a different experience here. People have listened to me and helped me. It's really been great."
Williams spent five years in the Army National Guard…
Tim Brown's participation in the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (C-STEP) and Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Program (L-SAMP) have played important roles in his development at Onondaga Community College. “The support I get from them is critical. And if they can…
Tim Restani almost can't believe what he's accomplished. He's in his final full-time semester at OCC and is on the brink of earning two degrees. In October he was inducted into the College's…
Tom Barrack isn't supposed to be alive. Three years ago he was in the hospital in such bad shape, his family members began planning his funeral. Today he's in his second semester at Onondaga Community College and, thanks to his perfect 4.0 grade point average, is a new member of the Phi Theta…
Trevor Scott is comfortable talking about the difficult. He was diagnosed with tourette syndrome at age 5. It's a disorder that involves repetitive movements or unwanted sounds that can't easily be controlled. "I have my bad days but other days you wouldn't even know I have it. I try not to…
Tricia Buttiglieri's road to a college degree began in the summer of 2018 when her husband was driving to work and spotted a billboard advertising OCC's new Weekend College. "He called me, told me about it, and said I should check it…
Wilo Matan is determined to make a difference in the world. She's a native of Kenya who came to the United States five years ago and is pursuing a degree in Human Services. "There's so much injustice back home and there's no one to help or advocate for people. Everyone is on their own. I thought…
In just three months, Yasmin Hassan will become the first member of her family to earn a college degree. "My dad is so proud I'm graduating and I'm so proud of myself too. High school wasn't the easiest. I completely turned myself around here."
Hassan was just 6 months old when she came…
March 1, 2022 turned out to be a life-changing day for Yolanda Hosea. She was going door-to-door delivering packages to homes for a national shipping company when a large amount of snow and ice fell on her head, knocking her out of work temporarily. "I had time to reflect on what I wanted to do…
The kindness of Americans that Zainab Alsamerraire and her family experienced when they immigrated to the United States changed her academic and career focus. She had studied accounting in Iraq and planned to continue doing so here. She changed her mind after arriving in the United States three…
Zaineb "Zayy" Aden comes to Onondaga Community College every day with a deep sense of responsibility. She's the oldest of 13 children, and at the end of this semester she'll be the first member of her family to earn a college degree. "I want to be a good role model for my siblings and show them…