Chatting About College: Recent Episodes
Higher Ed News You Can Use From Onondaga Community College
We highlight big and important things happening at one of America's great community colleges. Onondaga Community College is located in Syracuse, New York. Our outstanding degree and certificate programs prepare students to go directly into the workforce, or seamlessly transfer to a four-year institution.
In the latest edition of our podcast, "Chatting About College," we're joined by Onondaga Community College Class of 2024 Commencement Student Speaker Melissa Duran. She's a native of Ecuador who immigrated to the United States with the dream of becoming a surgeon. She's about to complete her Surgical Technology degree.
During her time at OCC she earned membership in the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and was also a Meg O'Connell Scholar. She shared her knowledge at the Learning Center where she tutored fellow students in Medical Terminology, Anatomy and Physiology 1, and Spanish 1 and 2. She was also part of the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) which connected her with a research opportunity at Syracuse University.
OCC's Commencement ceremony will be held Saturday, May 18 at 11 a.m. in the SRC Arena. And the day after commencement Duran will celebrate her 29th birthday! She plans to return to OCC in the fall to complete a second degree in Mathematics & Science, before transferring to SUNY Upstate Medical University.
Duran joined us for a conversation in our podcast along with Colleen Stevens, Director of CSTEP, who nominated Duran to be commencement speaker.
It's not unusual for students to travel to warm climates during spring break. But for 10 Onondaga Community College students who are also Meg O'Connell Social Justice Scholars, their trip to Puerto Rico last month was all about community service. "While we helped others, we learned so much and bonded through the experience. We lived the lifelong learning of a college," said Dr. Annie Tuttle, PTK Advisor and Assistant Dean of Civic Engagement.
Danielle Lambert, an Early Childhood major, was one of the students who engaged in service-learning in Puerto Rico. "My favorite service activity was tree planting. We planted 486 trees, flagged 2,000 areas for baby trees after measuring spots, and dug 500 extra holes. It was a lot of work but we had a lot of fun. We were knee deep in mud and holding on to each other so we didn't sink in. At the end we were just so filthy and exhausted but it was so rewarding."
Another Meg O'Connell Scholar, Alex Espitia-Casallas, selected a different activity as his most memorable. "My favorite project was spending the day in a rainforest, maintaining the trails. Getting that experience was a gift. Being there, doing that work, was really special. I'll think about that forever."
"We're so appreciative of Meg O'Connell to be able to help us provide this opportunity for the students," said Dr. Tuttle. "She came to all of our meetings this year and was able to create relationships with the students. It was just a really special opportunity to meet such an important community leader who does so much to be able to have that experience."
Dr. Tuttle, Lambert, and Espitia-Casallas joined us for an episode of our podcast, "Chatting About College." All three discussed the trip, along with Lambert and Espitia-Casallas being named SUNY Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence winners, also being named Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) All-State students, and the recent statewide and international awards won by OCC's PTK students.
Enjoy the podcast!
Bella Gutkin hadn't been in a classroom for about a decade when she decided to visit Onondaga Community College and explore her options. "I wanted to come back to school and I took a while to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. I liked the idea of working with electricity. I came in interested with everything the field entails."
Gutkin is in her first semester at OCC in the new Electromechanical Technology Certificate program. It teaches students about electricity, mechanisms, and programming. The Electromechanical Technology certificate and degree programs are in their first academic year at the college, and a re Micron-related but not Micron-exclusive. Students who successfully complete the programs are likely to find employment quickly.
Appled Technology Professor Mike Grieb teaches "Introduction to Problem Solving." He says the Electromechanical Technology students become familiar with each other quickly and collaborate often. "This group takes a lot of classes together. They interact in team-like exercises. That's an aspect of working in manufacturing, the team aspect, and relying on each other and making sure processes are being followed." "It helps with learning a lot," added Gutkin. "It's nice to have people to reach out to. We all have the same questions and concerns for the most part."
All of the classes are held in the Whitney Applied Technology Center which is undergoing a transformation. The Micron Cleanroom Simulation Lab is being built there along with HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), Welding, and CNC (computer numerical control) Training Centers.
The new Electromechanical Technology program is the subject of this edition of our podcast, "Chatting About College."
"It's like Willy Wonka's Golden Ticket!"
That was Will Appleton's reaction when he learned he had been selected for a paid internship at Micron this summer. Appleton is a senior at Central Square High School and a Electrical Technology major at Onondaga Community College through the Pathways in Technology Early College High School program, which is known as P-TECH. The program provides high school students the opportunity to work toward their high school diploma and associate degree simultaneously, and ultimately a pathway to an in-demand job.
"When I found out I had gotten the position, I ran out of my lab and started calling every one I knew," said Appleton who will spend his summer working at Micron in Manassas, Virginia.
Another P-TECH student, Vincent Hubbard, will be working at Micron in Boise, Idaho this summer. Hubbard is a senior at Fulton High School and is majoring in Mechanical Technology. "When I got the call I immediately told my brother and sister and called my parents. Just like Will, it feels like getting a golden ticket.
Hubbard, Appleton, and OCC's Assistant Director of Early College Pathways, Hailey Warren, joined us for an edition of our podcast, "Chatting About College."
Esports is the fastest growing sport in the world, and Onondaga Community College is proud to be part of that world. The Lazers have an Esports team and a sparkling Esports Arena!
OCC student-athletes began competing on an intramural level during the fall 2022 semester while the Esports Arena was being built. In the spring 2023, the Arena opened as the finishing touches were being put on it. The Arena has 23 gaming stations, each equipped with ergonomically designed chairs. National Grid also supported the Esports Arena with a $20,000 gift through its Project C program. During this academic year Lazers student-athletes are competing at the National Junior College Athletic Association level and doing well! "For the past three semesters we're averaging about 85 kids in the program. It's really kind of cool," said Head Coach Keith Edwards.
The new Esports program is the subject of this edition of our podcast, "Chatting About College." We are joined in the conversation by Edwards, Assistant Coach Jeff Pease, and student-athlete Rob Maher. He's a 2005 graduate of Oswego High School in the Computer Science degree program. "It's so cool the school has a program like this and put that amount of money into a room for kids to compete in. It's incredible," said Maher.
If you enjoy free hot chocolate and free tater tots during the first week of classes, you can thank members of Student Government!
Officers have spent the semester break planning fun and informative activities for fellow students. Here's what is on tap for the first week of classes:
- Tuesday, January 30 - Hot Cocoa Bar from 11:30am to 1:30pm in the Gordon Student Center. The first 200 students will receive a free mug.
- Wednesday, January 31 - Make Your Own Keychain event from 11:30am to 1:30pm in the Lazer Lounge on the ground floor of the Gordon Student Center.
- Thursday, February 1 - Tater Tot Bar from 11:30am to 1:30pm in the Gordon Student Center. The first 200 students receive a free food container.
- Friday, February 2 - Showings of the movie "Groundhog Day" at 12:30pm and 2:30pm in the Lazer Lounge on the ground floor of the Gordon Student Center. Friday is Groundhog Day.
What does it take to become a leader on campus, what can you do to get involved, and how rewarding is being part of the leadership team? Those topics and more were discussed in the latest edition of OCC's podcast, "Chatting About College." We were joined by Student Government members Anthony Mancini (Baldwinsville HS), Haley Madej (Amsterdam HS), and Abi Marin (Cicero-North Syracuse HS).
Enjoy the podcast!
The roster is almost entirely new, but the outstanding results continue. Despite losing 90% of their scoring from the previous year, Onondaga Community College's Women's Basketball team is off to an 11-and-1 start. "Heading into our first scrimmage I was nervous. Heading out of our last scrimmage I was still nervous," said head Coach Kelly Seibt. "We opened up against the 6th team in the country and beat them. Then we turned around and played the 15th team and beat them and I said 'I think we're going to be okay.' Chemistry is great. These girls act like they've known each other their whole lives. It's such a good culture we have right now."
Seibt is in her third season coaching the Women's Basketball team. In each of her first two years she guided the Lazers into the NJCAA National Tournament in Minnesota, and is hoping to do so again this season.
Coach Seibt is a guest on OCC's podcast, "Chatting About College." She's joined by freshmen Mallory Brooks, a Criminal Justice major from Cicero-North Syracuse High School, and Kara Stephens, a Health Sciences major from Lyons High School.
Enjoy the podcast!
Onondaga Community College's Women's Soccer team entered the year with just two returning players. Despite that the Lazers have put together an outstanding regular season, winning 10 games and losing only 2.
Coach Sean St. Denis has three captains on this year's team; sophomore Alex Ruzekowicz (West Genesee HS, Architectural Technology major), sophomore Lynnae Russell (Moravia HS, Humanities & Social Sciences major), and freshman Brenna Mast (Beaver River HS, Health Sciences major).
The Women's Soccer team's season is the subject of this edition of our podcast, "Chatting About College." Coach St. Denis, Russell, and Mast join us and talk soccer, the best part of the season so far, life on campus, and play a lively game of Box of Books. Enjoy the podcast!
When Shayne Turo needed to hit the "reset" button on his life and start over, he turned to Onondaga Community College. "I was an LPN (licensed practical nurse) by trade when I had to have brain surgery and was coming out of a divorce. I came back to school to get back on my feet."
Turo had graduated from Corcoran High School in 2002. Although the high school is just two miles from the OCC campus, he didn't realize everything that was here until he enrolled. "I always knew OCC as the school up on the hill. Once I got here I really felt that community atmosphere. Within two or three people, everybody knows everybody. Everybody is connected. You feel a welcoming environment."
He began taking classes here in 2021. One of his professors, Dr. Eunice Williams, encouraged him to become an active member of the campus community and it transformed his college experience. "I was an older student and I came in with the goal of getting my degree and getting out of here. I didn't really talk to anybody. When she opened the door for me it created opportunity after opportunity for me."
Those opportunities included Co-Chair of the Unity Day Committee, a seat on the Diversity Equity Inclusion & Belonging Council, and the Extraordinary Men of Distinction Advisory Board. He was also a member of the first group of Meg O'Connell Social Justice Scholars, and earned membership in the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.
A week from Saturday, at age 38, Turo will receive his General Studies degree, joining his daughter Chayne as college graduates in the family. She earned her degree from OCC in 2022 and is now at SUNY Fredonia, working toward becoming a teacher one day.
The elder Turo plans to transfer to Syracuse University where he will major in African American Studies with a minor in Sociology. "I'm excited to be graduating. Before coming here I never had that college experience. I enjoyed that sense of belonging and realizing there was something here that was bigger than yourself."
Turo joined us recently for an edition of OCC's podcast, "Chatting About College." Enjoy our conversation!
If you are a student looking for help with a certain subject, or interested in improving your study skills, the Learning Center is the place to go.
The Learning Center is located in Onondaga Community College's Gordon Student Center next to the cafeteria in room G202. Students can receive help with their coursework seven days a week. The Learning Center also offers workshops to assist students with things such as time management, note taking, and test taking.
During the fall 2022 semester, 987 students came to the Learning Center and took part in over 4,000 sessions.
Interested in finding out how the Learning Center can help you? You can learn more by:
- Visiting its website
- Call 315.498.2103
- Email: learningcenter@sunyocc.edu
- Walk in
In this edition of our podcast we discuss all of the services offered with Learning Center Director Ted Mathews and student Nick Chai who tutors students in Chemistry and Calculus. Enjoy the podcast!
With a new head coach and an almost entirely new roster, it's been a season of transition for the Onondaga Community College Men's Basketball team. "I feel like we're on the right track, even though our record might now indicate it right now," said Head Coach Joe Hulbert. "I'm incredibly optimistic. The guys seem to be too. We know we can do it and we've got the time to do it."
Coach Hulbert sat down with us for an episode of our podcast, "Chatting About College." He was joined by freshman Zach Chamberlain (Oswego High School) and sophomore Isaiah Warmack (Utica Proctor High School). "We have a lot of good chemistry. We've started to get to know each other a lot more. I love all of them like their brothers," said Warmack.
We'll talk basketball, school, and life as we open up the "Box of Questions." Enjoy the podcast!.
The Onondaga Community College Women's Basketball team begins the second half of the season this weekend with two big home games. Saturday the Lazers play North Country Community College at 1 p.m., and Sunday they challenge Division II Union College from New Jersey at 3 p.m. The Lazers enter this weekend's competition with a 5-and-3 record and are ranked #14 in the nation.
Last year the Women's team made it to the National Junior College Athletic Association national tournament in Minnesota and finished 5th in the country. "We have to make it back there. We have unfinished business," said Head Coach Kelly Seibt.
Coach Seibt along with players Bella Commesso (West Genesee High School) and Hannah Durand (Marcellus High School) joined us for a conversation on our podcast "Chatting About College." We discussed life, basketball, school, favorite TV shows and musicians, and one person's obsession with Italian dressing! Enjoy the podcast!
Onondaga Community College's Men's Soccer team is in great shape heading into the final games of the regular season and the start of the post-season. "We lost three games to nationally ranked teams which could have gone either way, we won the games we were supposed to, and we're happy with where we're at. The guys are playing well," said Head Coach Mike Drake.
Drake along with players Thomas Nimineh and Jack Hopson joined us recently for a recording of our podcast, "Chatting About College." Nimineh is a native of Liberia in Africa who moved to the United States at age 5. He came to OCC from the Institute of Technology at Syracuse Central High School as part of the P-TECH program. He's pursuing a degree in Electrical Technology. Hopson is a native of Essex, England and is in the Broadcast Media Communications degree program. He's one of 11 international players on the team.
Enjoy the podcast and good luck to our Lazers as they head toward the post-season!
Each year Onondaga Community College recognizes distinguished graduates who have made a difference in their community and professional life, naming them "Alumni Faces" honorees. Tonight at 5:30 p.m. in the Frederick Marvin and Ernst Schuh Recital Hall in the Academic II building, we will pay tribute to the Alumni Faces Class of 2022. In the weeks leading up to the event we are proudly profiling our honorees on our website and social media. Today we recognize Dr. Danielle Berry '13.
Dr. Danielle R. Berry came to Onondaga Community College with a newly found passion and turned it into the foundation for a career. "Attending OCC was the best choice for me to begin my college education because it was affordable and it allowed me to stay home. I knew about the quality of the education because my siblings had attended there."
Berry is a Senior Research Specialist in Technical Services and Development for Consumer Electronics at Dow. She didn't realize she was interested in science until age 15 when she attended a robotics program in Syracuse sponsored by Mercy Works. Berry, who was homeschooled, completed high school work one year later and came to OCC as a Mathematics & Science major.
Shortly after arriving on campus she became involved in the Collegiate Science and Technology Program which is often referred to as C-STEP, which is supported and funded by the New York State Department of Education. "C-STEP was a huge part of my success at OCC and beyond. It introduced me to scientific conferences, provided laboratory research opportunities, and gave me access to mentors who pushed me to maximize my potential." Berry would attend statewide and national conferences in Washington, D.C. where her work was recognized and applauded. The honors convinced her she was pursuing the right field of study. After earning her associate degree in 2013 she transferred to SUNY-ESF. She received a bachelor's degree in Chemistry and worked in the industry for a year before being accepted into the Ph.D. program at the University of Texas at Dallas.
While working toward her doctorate she attended the Building Engineering and Science Talent symposium hosted by Dow where she learned about career options. She was impressed with their presentation, made contacts, and landed a job. Nine years after completing her work at OCC she remains grateful for the impact the College had on her. "I am very thankful for my experience at OCC. It built my foundation to where I am today. I remain committed to continue career conversations with anyone pursuing STEM because of the impact my educators and mentors had on my development. I hope my story encourages current and future students and shows them the sky is the limit if they put in the work."
Dr. Berry joined us for an episode of OCC's podcast, "Chatting About College." Enjoy the podcast!
Richard Calagiovanni is a many with many nicknames and many stories... including the time he crossed paths with John Lennon and Yoko Ono. He discusses his amazing life in this edition of "Chatting About College." Calagiovanni graduated from Jamesville-Dewitt High School in 1966 and enrolled in OCC’s General Studies degree program at the downtown campus. During his sophomore year he was a member of Student Government and participated in the groundbreaking for the current campus on Onondaga Hill. In his final semester he took a Radio & TV class and decided to pursue a career in broadcasting. He would earn a bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University, and spend 29 years in leadership roles at WCNY TV, the public television station in Syracuse. After retiring he continued to produce videos for non-profit organizations such as the Onondaga Historical Association, the Veterans History Project, Honor Flight Syracuse, and the Town of Onondaga Historical Society.
The Onondaga Community College Women's Soccer team is beginning to play well as it progresses into the season. "We're trending in the right direction," said Head Coach Sean St. Denis. "If we continue to play the way we are capable of playing, we should end up with an above .500 record and possibly contend for the regional championship. We've proven we can hang with some of the best teams in the region."
St. Denis and two of his players, Madison Pelton and Lynnae Russell, sat down with us for our an edition of our podcast, "Chatting About College." St. Denis, who also coaches soccer at the Central New York Family Sports Centre on Jones Road near Baldwinsville, began coaching Pelton when she was 7 years old. Pelton would go on to play varsity soccer at Phoenix High School for 5 years. She's in OCC's Nursing degree program.
Russell came to OCC from Moravia High School where the Auburn Citizen named her the "Girl's Soccer Player of the Year." She's a freshman in the Humanities degree program.
Enjoy the podcast!
Steve Schill has been closely connected to OCC since arriving on campus from Sacred Heart and Fowler High School in the mid-70s. While spending his entire professional career at INFICON, where he has held positions in Operations, Engineering, Marketing, and currently the Senior Director of Global Sales Projects, Steve has been a member of the OCC Foundation Board and the Perkins Grant Committee, a mentor to students in the P-TECH program at ITC, and a frequent speaker on campus. OCC has been a central figure in his family’s life. His mother Peg worked here for 33 years, his mother-in-law and brother earned degrees here, his wife Kathleen earned two degrees here in Business Administration and as a Registered Nurse, and both of their children, Susan and Robert, attended OCC.
Steve is our guest on this edition of our podcast, "Chatting About College."
The 2022 edition of the Onondaga Community College Lazers Cross Country team includes a 40-year-old freshman! On this edition of our podcast, "Chatting About College," we're talking Cross Country with Head Coach Rob Colvin, 40-year-old Michael Lavalle, and traditional-aged student Dylan Sweeney who is a graduate of Jamesville-Dewitt High School. Enjoy the podcast!
His love of business began at age 7 when he would invite friends into his home and charge them to watch movies. Today Jesse Wilson '12 is a global guitar dealer with a growing business in Syracuse. And he's so proud of his Onondaga Community College degree, one of his cars is a Ferrari with license plates "OCC GRAD." Jesse Wilson shares his amazing story with on this edition of "Chatting About College."
More than 100,000 Americans die annually from drug overdoses and Rob Kent has dedicated his professional life to doing something about it. Kent is a Syracuse native and a 1982 graduate of Onondaga Community College who is serving as the General Counsel at the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy.
Kent visited campus recently, met with the outstanding professionals who run the College's counseling center, and sat down with us for a conversation on our podcast, "Chatting About College." After a very heavy discussion , we wrapped things up with an entertaining game of "Box of Questions." Enjoy the podcast!
In this edition of "Chatting About College" we meet Hassina Adams '17, a member of our Alumni Faces class of 2022. Hassina and her three siblings immigrated to the United States as unaccompanied minors from South Africa. They quickly found a home at the North Side Learning Center, where Hassina taught middle-aged school girls while also raising her younger siblings as their legal guardian. While attending OCC, Hassina was a member of the Lillian Slutzker Honors College, the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program. She served as the President of the History Club, Student Liason of the International Club, and the Secretary of the Muslims Students' Association. She was awarded the 2016 Gifford Foundation Scholarship, the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence, the Curriculum Honors Award for Liberal Arts & Sciences: Humanities and Social Sciences, and the Provost Award for Student Excellence. Hassina earned her bachelor's degree from Syracuse University, graduating Magna Cum Laud with Honors in International Relations and Political Science while continuing to teach at the North Side Learning Center. Hassina now works as a Legal Aid in the Immigration Department of a reputable non-profit organization that provides pro bono legal services. She plans to earn her law degree and become an immigration attorney who advocates for refugees and underrepresented people.
More than three dozen high school students from across the Syracuse City School District spent a month of their summer on the Onondaga Community College campus, taking part in the Liberty Partnerships Program which focused on making participants better students and citizens. "We were there to support each other and not judge each other, and to have some fun," said Program Coordinator Heather Niver.
The summer program included a different theme each week. For example, CNY Works brought in a financial mentor who spoke with students about financial literacy and topics such as how to open a checking account, how to deposit money, and how to budget money. During another week the focus was on problems students see in school and how each could be part of the solution rather than part of the problem. "It was good to see the students make progress and learn how to be leaders," said Hassan Musa who is a Success Coach with Liberty Partnerships.
"I loved the summer program. It was fun to be myself without being judged by others and meeting people. Because of what this program made me realize, this year I will be way more focused in school. I realize how important education is and how far it can take us in life," said Imere Kemp, a sophomore at Corcoran High School. All five Syracuse City High Schools were represented in the summer program.
Kemp, Musa, and Niver sat down with us for a conversation on our podcast, "Chatting About College." Enjoy the podcast!
Onondaga Community College welcomed a new leader on July 1 when Dr. Warren Hilton became its 9th President. The Philadelphia native comes to OCC from Kutztown University in Pennsylvania where we was Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs.
In this edition of our podcast "Chatting About College," Dr. Hilton tells us about his journey to Central New York, and entertains us with his answers when we open up the "Box of Questions" segment.
Enjoy the podcast!
June 30 marked Dr. Casey Crabill's final day as President of Onondaga Community College. She retired after 9 years on campus, and more than 25 years as a community college President in four states.
In her final appearance on our podcast she discussed her time on campus, we reviewed an amazing list of accomplishments during her tenure, and she shared with us how overwhelming it was to have "Crabill Commons" named in her honor.
Enjoy the podcast!
Two spring semesters ago, during the early stages of the Covid pandemic, Onondaga Community College made a seismic student-focused shift in its structure. All of the degree and certificate programs were organized into eight distinct Schools within OCC. The goal was to give students in like-minded courses of study a home on campus where they could go for assistance with almost anything. Each School was staffed with a Support Team which included a Professional Advisor, a Success Coach, a Faculty School Specialist, a Career & Transfer Specialist, and a Secretary.
Some of those who worked hardest on the transition at OCC will be sharing their success story with higher education colleagues next month when they present at the SUNY Student Success Summit. Representing OCC will be Jenna Alexander, Director of the Student Advising and Coaching Network; Professor Justin Fiene, Faculty School Specialist in the School of Math, Science & Engineering; Sherrie Asbie-White, Assistant Director of Advising in the Student Coach & Advising Network; and Abigail Klein, Professional Advisor in our School of Computing and Applied Technologies. Naomi Stewart, who is the Assistant Director of Coaching & Support Services, will be presenting OCC's Schools success story at the American Association of Community Colleges conference.
Student Eli Hunt is a huge fan of the Schools structure. He graduated from Cazenovia High School in 2020, took a gap year, and was introduced to OCC during the 2021 Seize Your Summer program. That's where he first met Professor Fiene. "He was super encouraging describing the atmosphere of the campus and the staff." His positive interactions continued with Dean Tzivanis, his Advisor in the School of Math, Science & Engineering. "I originally came with the idea of a Chemistry major but he helped me switch to a more engineering-focused path. He knew exactly what he was talking about, helped me set up my schedule, and gave me great advice." Hunt also enjoys the atmosphere with his School's main office in Ferrante Hall. "Their door is always open. It's very welcoming. You come in and they all know your name."
The story of OCC's transition to Schools is the subject of this edition of our podcast, "Chatting About College." We're discussing the change and how it has benefitted students with Alexander and Fiene.
Students in Onondaga Community College's chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society are hosting a series of podcasts titled "Voices of Our Community" which introduce listeners to international students on our campus. In this edition PTK member Kyle Goff speaks with Khalid Quraishi of Afghanistan.
Students in Onondaga Community College's chapter of international honor society Phi Theta Kappa are hosting a series of podcasts titled "Voices of Our Community" which introduce listeners to international students on our campus. In this episode PTK member John Baker has a conversation with Chengi who came to OCC from Botswana which is located in the southern part of Africa.
Students in Onondaga Community College's chapter of international honor society Phi Theta Kappa are hosting a series of podcasts titled "Voice of Our Community" which introduce listeners to international students on our campus. In this episode PTK member Lorena Castillo-Patino interviews Mary Khoury who came to the United States from Syria.
Three Onondaga Community College students have been named to the Phi Theta Kappa All-New York Academic Team for their distinguished academic achievements and leadership accomplishments. Phi Theta Kappa is the international honor society of all community colleges.
Their accomplishments, along with the achievements of all of New York State's honorees, will be celebrated during an event Wednesday, April 13 at 12 p.m. in the SRC Arena.
OCC's All-State Students are:
Iannelis Castro Calderon
- Cicero-North Syracuse High School, class of 2020.
- Will earn her Human Services degree in May.
- Member of OCC's Phi Theta Kappa honor society, and an officer and member of its Leadership Team.
- Plans to transfer to a four-year college and pursue a degree and career in Social Work.
Katie Sullivan
- Jamesville-Dewitt High School, class of 2020.
- Will earn her Humanities & Social Sciences degree in May.
- Attended OCC tuition-free as a member of the Lillian Slutzker Honors College.
- Plans to transfer to a four-year school and pursue a degree in Communications with a minor in Cultural Studies or Anthropology.
Angela Adams
- 51-year-old mother of two.
- Will earn her Alcohol & Substance Abuse degree in May.
- Proud to be sober and clean for more than two years.
- Plans to go directly into the workforce and help those trying to overcome addiction.
"This year's honorees are a wonderful example of the opportunities available at Onondaga Community College for students of all ages. Iannelis and Katie were outstanding local high school students who decided to begin their higher education journeys here and created strong foundations for themselves as they transfer to four-year colleges. Angela overcame so much in her life just to get here. Her goal is to give back as soon as possible by going right into the workforce and helping others struggling with addiction. We're so proud of all three of these students and look forward to hearing about their future accomplishments," said OCC President Dr. Casey Crabill.
The three All-State students are our guests on the latest edition of our podcast, "Chatting About College."
Throughout the month of March, Onondaga Community College celebrated Women's History Month. A series of related events gave members of the campus community the opportunity to commemorate and encourage the study, observance, and celebration of the vital role of women in American history.
Students Olivia Kittleberger and Sarah Foley participated in two outstanding opportunities outside of the classroom. On the first Sunday of the month they were part of an OCC contingent which visited the National Women's Rights Park and Museum in Seneca Falls. They also participated in an International Symposium focused on Women's Rights which required several hours of preparation including Zoom calls with educators in India.
Kittleberger and Foley are our guests on the latest edition of our podcast, "Chatting About College."
If you're a parent who works, goes to school, or both, you know how difficult it can be to find high-quality, affordable child care. The Children's Learning Center on the Onondaga Community College campus has been providing parents with a secure and nurturing environment for their children for decades. The Children's Learning Center is nationally accredited and accepts children from infants all the way up to Pre-K.
Michele Ferguson is Director of the Children's Learning Center. In April she will celebrate her 34 year anniversary with the college. Ferguson is a guest on this edition of our podcast, "Chatting About College."
Onondaga Community College's Women's and Men's Basketball teams are about to play for national championships!
The Women are in Rochester, Minnesota. The Lazers are seeded #3 and earned a first round bye in the tournament. Their first game will be Thursday at 9 p.m. eastern against the winner of the Rock Valley C.C./Hostos C.C. game.
The Men are in Rockford, Illinois and are seeded #5. They will play their first game Wednesday at 3 p.m. eastern against 12th seeded Monroe College-Bronx.
Before leaving town coaches and players from both teams joined us for a conversation on our podcast, "Chatting About College." Men's Head Coach Erik Saroney brought players Gop Arop (Bishop Grimes HS) and James Saroney (Jamesville-Dewitt) with him. Women's Head Coach Kelly Grinnell-Seibt was joined by Macey Deordio (Onondaga Central HS) and Zhane Holmes (Elmira High School).
Enjoy the podcast!
Early next month Onondaga Community College Sound Recording Professor Shane Patterson will find out if he can say he worked on an album that won a Grammy Award. "It's a pleasant surprise to be part of this. It doesn't feel all that real. I won't be torn up if the project doesn't win but I'll be a little excited if it does. That would be pretty cool!"
The 2022 Grammy Award winners will be announced on the night of Sunday April 3rd. One of the albums nominated is for a musical titled "Some Lovers." Patterson was the audio engineer for the vocals on one of the album's songs. He oversaw the recording of vocals by actress and singer Auli’i Cravalho at Subcat Studios in Syracuse. If you are a fan of Disney movies, Cravalho's name may sound familiar to you. She played "Moana" in the animated film titled "Moana" in 2016.
Patterson graduated from Baldwinsville High School just five years ago. How has he done so well in the recording industry in such a short period of time? And what does he love about teaching students in the Sound Recording degree program at OCC? He's our guest on this edition of our podcast, "Chatting About College."
If you've been thinking about pursuing a rewarding career in Health Care, there's never been a better time to come to Onondaga Community College. Whether you are about to graduate from high school or an adult learner, we have a wide variety of options in our School of Health. Some will get you into the workforce in a matter of weeks, and others will lead to seamless transfer opportunities to four-year institutions. Our degree and certificate programs include:
- Health Information Technology/Medical Records A.A.S.
- Health Sciences A.S.
- Health Studies Certificate
- Healthcare Administration, A.S.
- Home Health Aide
- Certified Nursing Assistant
- Nursing A.A.S.
- Physical Therapist Assistant A.A.S.
- Surgical Technology A.A.S
- Medical Assistant Training
- Phlebotomy Training
- Paramedic A.A.S.
- Paramedic Certificate
If you are interested in speaking with us about which program is right for you, contact our School of Health by email health@sunyocc.edu or phone (315) 498-2458.
On the latest edition of our podcast "Chatting About College," we're joined by Nikia Dennis, She's a Faculty Specialist and a Professor in our School of Health. She worked in the health care industry as a medical assistant and phlebotomist before studying to become a licensed nursing home administrator. She recently completed her doctoral studies at St. John Fisher College before joining us at OCC.
Kelly Grinnell-Seibt entered her first season as Head Coach of the Onondaga Community College Women's Basketball team with a group of players who had never played together. The new coach and top-to-bottom new roster won their first two games, lost their next two games, and haven't lost since. They enter the post-season with a 19 game winning streak and a top 5 national ranking. On this edition of our podcast, "Chatting About College," we're joined by Coach Grinnell-Seibt along with freshmen Avianna Baker (Onondaga High School) and Raychel Underwood (East Syracuse Minoa High School).
Seven Onondaga Community College students in a variety of STEM-related degree programs took advantage of a new research opportunity over the semester break. They spent a week at Syracuse University working with Biology professors there as part of the new "BREW at SU" initiative. BREW stands for Biology Research Experience in Winter. It's the creation of OCC's Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) and Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Program (LSAMP).
OCC students were paired up with SU Biology Professors, providing them with an immersive science laboratory research experience. "One of the main program goals for both CSTEP and LSAMP is exposing students to authentic scientific research," said CSTEP Director Colleen Stevens. "Undergraduate research experience is proven to help with persistence in STEM and local research projects are often the best option for many of our students."
Melissa Hicks, who is the Director of LSAMP at OCC, is optimistic BREW @ SU will lead to more research opportunities for students. "We're hoping our students who do well with this can move into some summer internships. A lot of our students don't apply for the full-time summer immersion programs because they can't commit to the time or be away from their families. We wanted to find something that was more equitable for our students."
One of the students who participated in BREW @ SU was Amina Amin. "It was amazing. Before it started we were given readings to do. I said, 'oh my god. you've put yourself someplace you don't belong.' Once I got there I felt so welcome and confident. And now I'm looking forward to applying to another school and doing research."
Amin is a native of Kenya who was living in a refugee camp when she immigrated to the United States in 2015 along with her parents and six siblings. She began school here in the 8th grade and worked hard to learn the English language. Five years later she graduated in the top ten of her class at Henninger High School.
She considered attending a four-year college but thought OCC would provide her the support and the environment she needed. She found a home in the CSTEP office. "It's like a family type of connection. Whenever I need help with anything, that is where I go. I feel like I belong there. They give me experiences to help me become a leader and mentor me."
Amin is a member of the college's chapter of international honor society Phi Theta Kappa. In May she will earn her Mathematics & Science degree. She plans to continue her education and become a pediatrician. "Where I'm from we don't have pediatricians. You would see kids and adults lining up to see the same doctor. I want to be able to work with kids one day."
Amin and Stevens are our guests on this edition of our podcast, "Chatting About College." Enjoy our conversation!
Onondaga Community College's SRC Arena will host Central New York's inaugural Maker Faire Syracuse this spring. The event will be held Saturday, April 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is expected to attract more than 150 "makers" and 1,000 attendees.
A Maker Faire is a gathering of fascinating, curious people who enjoy learning and who love sharing what they can do. From engineers to artists to scientists to crafters, Maker Faire is a venue for these "makers" to show hobbies, experiments, and projects.
The Call for Makers is now open! Organizers are looking for DIYers, hobbyists, tinkerers, crafters, scientists, robotics experts, artists, cosplayers, and more. Anyone interested in participating can sign up at this link no later than March 1.
Tickets for Maker Faire Syracuse are on sale. More information is available on the event ticket page.
Volunteers are needed to help make the event a huge success. Information on specific roles is available at the event volunteer page.
Maker Faire Syracuse is presented by OCC and the Technology Alliance of Central New York. The Maker Faire Syracuse planning committee includes members from many local organizations and higher education institutions including Syracuse University, Le Moyne College, OCM BOCES, Central New York Library Resource Council, and several librarians and staff members from the Onondaga County Public Libraries system. The event is being co-produced by Mike Cimino of the Fayetteville Free Library and Pauline Shostack of Onondaga Community College's Coulter Library.
Shostack is our guest on this edition of our podcast, "Chatting About College." Enjoy the podcast!
Onondaga Community College's new student mentoring program is off to a great start! "Lazer Link" provides incoming students the support they need to succeed by connecting them with designated returning students.
In some cases, recent alumni are also participating and assisting new students with any advice and guidance they need. One of those is Mark Frisina who completed his General Studies degree in the spring of 2021. Frisina attended OCC briefly after graduating from Henninger High School in 2008, returned more than a decade later and finished what he started. What makes his story unique is that he is assisting current students as a mentor while living in Tokyo, Japan where he works at a private bilingual preschool. "I hope some of my experiences can help other students. The past two years at OCC were incredibly fulfilling and really cemented my appreciation for higher education."
Leading the successful implementation of the program are Dean Tzivanis, an Advisor in our School of Math, Science & Engineering, and John Burns, an Advisor in our School of Art, Design, Media & Music. Both are our guests in this edition of our podcast, "Chatting About College." Enjoy the podcast!
Onondaga Community College has been a central figure in the life of Steve Schill '78 and three generations of his family. His mother, Peg Schill, worked at OCC for 33 years. Steve earned an Electrical Engineering degree here in 1978. His wife Kathleen graduated with a Business Administration degree in 1981 and a Nursing degree in 2003. His mother-in-law earned her Accounting degree here. Steve and Kathleen's daughter Susan and son Robert both attended OCC. And Steve's brother graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice. It's clear Steve Schill and his family learned what an amazing value OCC was and kept coming back for more. "It's a great place to start. I think it's even more important now than when I was going to OCC. I don't think kids are as prepared for college now as they were. Starting out at OCC as opposed to going to a four-year college that's costing $50 thousand dollars a year without having support structure at home is a lot more difficult now than when I was a kid. OCC is a great place to get your feet wet."
One year after graduating from OCC, Schill was hired to work at Inficon and never left. Inficon is a leading provider of innovative instrumentation, critical sensor technologies, and advanced process software that enhances productivity and quality in sophisticated industrial vacuum processes. Today Schill is Inficon's Senior Director of Global Sales Projects.
During his 42 years there Schill has maintained close ties to OCC. He served on the OCC Foundation Board from 2008 to 2014, he's been a part of the College's Perkins grant committee which connects employers needs with what is being taught in related degree programs on campus. He's also a mentor in the P-TECH program at the Syracuse Institute for Technology where students will eventually come to OCC for either Electrical Technology or Mechanical Technology.
Schill returned to campus recently when he was the featured speaker at a meeting of OCC's chapter of the American Association for Women in Community Colleges. While he was here he also joined us for a conversation on our podcast, "Chatting About College." Enjoy the podcast!
A 49-year-old mother from Georgia who is a United States Air Force Veteran is this year's student representative on the Board of Trustees. Catherine Hadden is serving as the Student Trustee while pursuing her Nursing degree. As Student Trustee she attends all board meetings, participates in executive sessions or closed-door portions of meetings, and has full voting rights.
So how did Hadden wind up at Onondaga Community College and what does she think of it here? She's our guest on this edition of our podcast, "Chatting About College."
After a year without basketball due to COVID-19. the Onondaga Community College Men's Basketball team is back in action. Leading the way for the Lazers are the highly decorated backcourt of Latyce Faison and Jahki Lucas. Two years ago as freshmen, Faison was named an All American and Lucas earned All Region honors. "Everything we do centers around these guys," said Head Coach Erik Saroney. "Our offense runs through them. When they draw attention it opens up things for everyone else."
Saroney, Faison, and Lucas are guests on this edition of OCC's podcast, "Chatting About College."
Onondaga Community College's Women's Basketball team has a new leader for the first time 20 years. Kelly Grinnell-Seibt is in her first season as Head Coach of the Lazers. She succeeds Mike Wheeler who she both played for and worked under as an assistant.
Grinnell-Seibt is a graduate of Auburn High School where she played Varsity Basketball for 4 years, was captain of the Maroons for 3 years, and was a member of the prestigious 1,000 point club. She earned her Exercise Science degree from OCC in 2011. When she's not coaching the Lazers she works as a Physical Therapist Assistant at COAST Physical Therapy in Auburn. Her husband Brandon Seibt also played basketball at OCC and graduated in 2012.
Grinnell-Seibt is our guest on this edition of our podcast, "Chatting About College." She's joined by one of this season's team leaders, Nya Williams. She's a 2020 graduate of Corcoran High School who will earn her Computer Science degree next May.
Each year Onondaga Community College helps thousands of area high school students get a head start on their college education by giving them the opportunity to earn college credits while they are in high school and prepare for what life on a college campus will be like. Programs geared toward high school students include:
- Pathways In Technology Early College High School or P-TECH - Students begin studying the technology program of their choice at their home high schools in their freshman and sophomore years. In their junior and senior years they take classes on the OCC campus.
- Concurrent Enrollment - Students take OCC classes in their high schools and earn college credits for them.
- OCC Advantage - A college and career readiness program for high school students at partner schools East Syracuse Minoa, Jordan-Elbridge, LaFayette, Onondaga, and Solvay.
- Spartan Academy - High School students who will be earning both their high school diplomas and associate degrees from OCC at the same time.
The person who oversees all of these programs is Flagan Prince, OCC's Director of Concurrent Enrollment and Secondary Programs. He's our guest on this edition of our podcast, "Chatting About College."
Therapy turned Joe Logiudice's life around, and he wants you to know that if you are struggling with life's challenges it can do the same for you. He went from barely surviving in school and in life, to owning a perfect 4.0 grade point average and President of Onondaga Community College's Student Government. In December he'll earn his degree in Humanities with a specialization in Psychology.
In this edition of our podcast, Chatting About College, Logiudice shares his success story with us.
If you think you could benefit from therapy, OCC has a Counseling Center in the Gordon Student Center, room G230, just past the Student Central counter. Important contact information is listed below:
- Counseling Center counselingcenter@sunyocc.edu (315) 498-2675
- After Hours Counseling Support (315) 498-2675
- Community Care Hub communitycare@sunyocc.edu (315) 498-2801
Some people call him Maurice. Others go with Mo. And his closest friends call him Mo Breezy. He's a man of many names and even more life experiences. And Maurice Brown has returned to OCC as a Success Coach in the College's School of Liberal Arts to guide students to where they want to go. "I want to be able to help people. I get to do that in this position and I love that. OCC is my home. I really believe in the mission of this college and I like that I can help execute it."
Brown came to OCC from Brooklyn and got the full college experience. While working toward a degree in Communication Studies he was a member of the Politics Club, the Black Student Union, and dabbled in the world of Stand-Up Comedy. He was also a delegate to Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, and served as a United States Army Reservist. He was on track to graduate from OCC in December 2016 when he was activated for duty and sent to the military prison in Guantanamo Bay. He would spend 8 months there before returning to OCC and completing his final semester.
Brown transferred to Syracuse University where he would earn his bachelor's degree in Communication and Rhetoric Studies in 2019. During and after his time at S.U. he continued to be active politically/ In 2020 he was campaign manager for Anna Kelles of Trumansburg who successfully ran for the New York State Assembly representing the 125th District.
By the middle of this year he decided to step away from politics and get back to his first love, helping people. That brought him back to Onondaga Community College and his new role as a Success Coach. "My mission is to help students orient themselves to college life, help them learn good study habits, and how to stay in touch with their professors. We want to help students figure out what their goals are and how to get there."
He's also found as someone who was a student here just four years ago, he has an instant credibility with students. "I can tell them I went to the Learning Center several times when I was here. I can tell them about being in the Politics Club, or the Black Student Union and how being in clubs and organizations really improved my college experience. It exposed me to a lot of good people and I made good friends."
Brown is a guest on the latest edition of our podcast, "Chatting About College."
Onondaga Community College's Learning Center is giving students the assistance they need to do well in their coursework. The Learning Center is open 7 days a week and the services provided there are free.
The Learning Center will serve more than 1,000 students during the fall semester. Students can receive tutoring in individual or small group settings. They can also learn how to improve their study skills and writing skills.
The Learning Center is located in the Gordon Student Center in room G202, next to the cafeteria. You can visit The Learning Center website by clicking on this link. You can also reach out via email at learningcenter@sunyocc.edu or by calling (315) 498-2103. And when you go there bring your Lazer Card! You will need it to sign in at the front desk.
Ted Mathews is the Assistant Director of The Learning Center. He's our guest on this edition of our podcast, "Chatting About College."
Each year Onondaga Community College recognizes distinguished graduates who have made a difference in their community and professional life, naming them "Alumni Faces" honorees. Tonight at 5:30 p.m. in the Frederick Marvin and Ernst Schuh Recital Hall, we will pay tribute to the Alumni Faces Class of 2021. Today we are joined on "Chatting About College" by one of our honorees, Michael Speach Jr., '02.
When Michael Speach was growing up, life revolved around the family business. He couldn't wait to get as far away from that life as possible. Today Speach is the business. He's the fourth generation President and Head Chocolatier of The Speach Family Candy Shoppe, located at 2400 Lodi Street on Syracuse's north side. In 2020 Speach and his family celebrated their 100th year in business.
Speach's first step away from the family business was in 2000 when he enrolled in Onondaga Community College's Electronic Media Communications (EMC) program. His parents wanted him to go to school for business but he preferred something performance related which appealed to his creative side. He was most interested in sound and lighting. While learning about those within the EMC major he also received what he referred to as a 'well-rounded education' which paved the way for him to transfer to Ithaca College. He did so well at OCC he received a full scholarship to Ithaca while earning a bachelor's degree in Theatrical Production.
From Ithaca it was on to New York City where he was hired as an apprentice on Broadway. He was working on nine different shows at once. He loved the work but not some of the things which surrounded it.
Exhausted and disillusioned, Speach returned home in the summer of 2007 and 'slept for three straight weeks.' By mid-August the State Fair was approaching and his mother asked if he could help make fudge to sell there. She gave him his space and let him work at his pace. She was expecting him to make two cases and instead he filled half of the store with fudge.
While the Fair was a success, the business was at a crossroads and hard decisions needed to be made. Years earlier his mother Susan, who is also an OCC alumna, had taken a job with the United Postal Service so she could provide the family with benefits. They had invested everything in the business but weren't getting back what they had put in. Speach's parents wanted to either sell the business or sell the building and liquidate. Speach sat down with his parents and two sisters to discuss the future, and committed to running the business.
A century after an Italian immigrant named Michele Spicciati started the business, his great grandson put together an elaborate plan for the 100 year celebration in 2020. Speach released 100 new products. He also organized "Ten Decades of Giving" during which he partnered with a different non-profit each month and created a custom sweet treat for each for which they received 100% of the profits.
Speach is looking forward to returning to campus for the Alumni Faces ceremony. He considers the College to be the place where everything began for him. "OCC started my journey into my chosen career. I'm so pleased to have my journey come full circle and return to the community that molded me into the person I am today."
Each year Onondaga Community College recognizes distinguished graduates who have made a difference in their community and professional life, naming them "Alumni Faces" honorees. On the night of Wednesday, October 6 at 5:30 p.m. in the Frederick Marvin and Ernst Schuh Recital Hall, we will pay tribute to the Alumni Faces Class of 2021. In this edition of our podcast, "Chatting About College," we meet honoree Karinda Shanes, '98.
Onondaga Community College has provided Karinda Shanes and her entire family the educational foundation they needed to build their professional success upon. All five family members earned associate degrees here. Karinda's was in Criminal Justice, husband Leonard studied Mechanical Technology, middle son Armondo's specialty was Human Services, and oldest son Dante and youngest son Quintin received their Electrical Technology degrees from OCC. Quintin celebrated the completion of his degree in 2019, just one year after graduating from the Institute of Technology at Syracuse Central as part of the Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) program.
After completing her bachelor's degree, Shanes worked for human services-type agencies including Catholic Charities and Contact Community Services. She focused on youth development programs and learned how to write local, state, and federal grant proposals which brought critically needed funding to the agencies for students. Her outstanding level of service was applauded as "red carpet work" and led to her current role as Regional Executive Director of Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection (HW-SC), a nationally-recognized youth development program which helps at-risk youths stay in school and graduate from high school with the skills and confidence necessary to enter college or the workforce.
Her experience with HW-SC as a parent, coupled with her time on the OCC campus, instilled in her a deep appreciation for the Central New York community and a desire to give back.
Even though it has been 23 years since the Broome County native was a student on the OCC campus, Shanes still leans on lessons learned here while working as a Youth Development and Leadership Administrator. "I am thankful to OCC for high-quality education, a fun learning atmosphere, and most importantly for the chance to study with knowledgeable, caring professors which provided me with a solid foundation that led me into a successful adult life."
Enjoy the podcast! The Alumni Faces ceremony will be streamed live on OCC's YouTube channel and Facebook page Wednesday, October 6 at 5:30 p.m.
Each year Onondaga Community College recognizes distinguished graduates who have made a difference in their community and professional life, naming them "Alumni Faces" honorees. On the night of Wednesday, October 6 at 5:30 p.m. in the Frederick marvin and Ernst Schuh Recital Hall, we will pay tribute to the Alumni Faces Class of 2021. In the weeks leading up to the event we are proudly profiling our honorees on our website and social media. Today we recognize Lanessa Owens-Chaplin, '03.
If there's anyone who is doing exactly what she should be doing in life, it's Lanessa Owens-Chaplin, '03. When she was a student at Onondaga Community College, Owens-Chaplin was working full time at Kentucky Fried Chicken and living on her own in the Pioneer Homes housing project which is located directly next to the elevated portion of Interstate 81. Today she's an attorney and the lead counsel for the New York Civil Liberties Union which is working to make sure the elevated portion of Interstate 81 is replaced with a surface road system known as the community grid.
Owens-Chaplin always had big dreams but never knew if she could overcome significant life challenges to make any of them come true. By age 17 she was living on her own while attending Henninger High School. After receiving her diploma she decided to come to OCC and major in Humanities.
Initially, learning how to balance the demands of working full-time and going to college was a huge struggle. Coursework took a back seat. As she developed relationships with professors, her education became more important. When she took a Business Law class it gave her the confidence to pursue a career in law.
After earning her degree at OCC, Owens-Chaplin committed full-time to education and her future. She quit her job, moved away, and enrolled at SUNY College at Old Westbury. She graduated with honors, then moved on to the School of Law at the University of St. Thomas in Miami. She earned her law degree and returned to Syracuse with the goal of making a difference in the community.
The Interstate 81 project is now the main focus of her professional life as lead counsel for the New York Civil Liberties Union.
As she continues to advocate for others, she'll return to campus next week to be honored for her community-focused contributions.
The Alumni Faces ceremony will be streamed live on OCC's YouTube and Facebook pages Wednesday, October 6 at 5:30 p.m.
Onondaga Community College's Women's Soccer team pulled out an overtime thriller at Adirondack Community College for their first win of the season on September 16. The Lazers tied the game with just 1:15 left in regulation, then scored the game winning goal in overtime for a 4-3 victory.
The Women's Soccer team is the subject of this edition of our podcast, "Chatting About College." Our guests are Head Coach Mike Drake and sophomore Clara Neville. She scored two goals in the win over Adirondack. Neville came to OCC from Nottingham High School. She has a 3.9 grade point average and will earn her Photography degree this December.
Each year Onondaga Community College recognizes distinguished graduates who have made a difference in their community and professional life, naming them "Alumni Faces" honorees. On the night of Wednesday, October 6 at 5:30 p.m. in the Frederick Marvin and Ernst Schuh Recital Hall, we will pay tribute to the Alumni Faces Class of 2021. In the weeks leading up to the event we are sitting down and having conversations with our honorees. In this episode of Chatting About College our guest is Glenn LaPoint, '16.
Glenn LaPoint took a sign on the electronic message board at the entrance to the OCC campus, and a well-timed left turn arrow, as a sign he should make an unscheduled visit to the Gordon Student Center and begin the process of returning to school for his final semester. That's exactly what he did in the fall of 2015. And in May of the following year he walked across the stage inside the SRC Arena to receive the degree he had started working for decades earlier.
LaPoint graduated from Marcellus High School in 1978, tried a four-year school, then decided to attend OCC where he found a home in the Radio & TV degree program. With just one semester to go, he was offered and accepted a full-time job at a radio station in Herkimer. LaPoint eventually returned to Central New York and kept climbing the broadcasting ladder before settling in as the top talent and morning show host at radio station WTKW, TK-99 where listeners known him as "Gomez Adams."
Despite his professional success it was always in the back of his mind that one thing was unfinished. In November 2015 LaPoint decided it was time to finish what he started. That's when he came to campus and began the process of returning to college. Eventually he learned he would only need three classes to earn his degree. In the spring of 2016 he became a student again, and that May he received his degree.
In the last five years he has strengthened his relationship with the College, serving as a member of the OCC Foundation Board of Directors where he gives his time freely to assist with committee work and events. In June he was presented the John H. Mulroy Founder's Award for his contributions and leadership which stand as an example of selfless dedication to the higher purpose and ideals of which the College aspires, serving as a model for others.
Adams and the entire Alumni Faces class of 2021 will be honored Wednesday, October 6 at 5:30pm. You can watch the ceremony live on OCC's YouTube channel and Facebook page.
Onondaga Community College's chapter of international honor society Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) has raised the bar to an unprecedented level. The chapter has been ranked in the top ten internationally in each of the last three years. PTK is the official honor society of two-year colleges and there are nearly 1,300 chapters around the world. OCC's honor society has also been named best in New York State three years in a row.
On this edition of our podcast, "Chatting About College," we discuss plans for the year ahead with PTK Faculty Advisor and Sociology Professor Dr. Annie Tuttle, and student Iannelis Castro Calderon. She graduated in the top ten percent of her class at Cicero-North Syracuse High School in 2020. She could have attended any one of a number of colleges she was accepted to, but chose OCC where she is pursuing a degree in Human Services. She is also PTK's Vice President of Scholarships and part of the chapter's Leadership Team.
The College's PTK chapter is headquartered on the second floor of Coulter Hall in room C204. To be eligible for induction into the honor society students must have a minimum grade point average of 3.5 and have earned 12 credit hours. Student who are honor society members in good standing are eligible for PTK-specific scholarships when they transfer to four-year institutions.
Each year Onondaga Community College recognizes distinguished graduates who have made a difference in their community and professional life, naming them "Alumni Faces" honorees. On the night of Wednesday, October 6 at 5:30 p.m. in the Frederick Marvin and Ernst Schuh Recital Hall, we will pay tribute to the Alumni Faces Class of 2021. In the weeks leading up to the event we are speaking with each of the honorees. In this episode of "Chatting About College" we introduce you to Lisa GreenMills, '08.
Lisa GreenMills is a Public Health Professional who has dedicated her career to helping others stay safe and lead healthy lives.
GreenMills grew up in an East Syracuse home where helping others was a way of life. Her mother Diane was a nurse in the Army. She served in Iraq and retired from military service. She also worked at Crouse Hospital in labor and delivery.
GreenMills graduated from East Syracuse Minoa high school in 2003. She came to OCC and majored in Mathematics and Science. She was an excellent student who earned membership in honor society Phi Theta Kappa. She was also active in the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program, also known as C-STEP.
GreenMills earned her degree from OCC in 2008, received a bachelor’s in nursing from SUNY Binghamton two years later, and completed a master’s in public health at SUNY Albany.
In 2013 she became Program Coordinator at Syracuse Healthy Start. The organization supports pregnant women and new families with outreach, case management, health education and community connections.
Five years later she became Director of Disease Control for Onondaga County Health Department. And in 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic took over her life.
Today GreenMills works as Director of Operations at Syracuse University's Barnes Center at The Arch. It's the hub for student wellness on the Syracuse University campus. In October she'll return to OCC to be recognized for her work.
The Alumni Faces ceremony will be streamed live on OCC's YouTube and Facebook pages Wednesday, October 6 at 5:30 p.m.
Sports have returned to the Onondaga Community College campus! After Covid claimed four sports seasons, Lazers Athletics teams are practicing and competing with other colleges again. Student Athletes on the soccer, cross country, and volleyball teams are all gearing up for what they hope will be outstanding seasons.
On the latest edition of our podcast, "Chatting About College," we speak with OCC Athletic Director Mike Borsz. We are also joined by Men's Soccer coach Corey Fonseca and one his player's, Francisco Costa who is a native of Portugal and one of 14 international student athletes on the Men's Soccer Team
Graduating students from Henninger High School, Liverpool High School, and a native of Brooklyn are the 2021 student commencement speakers. The College will celebrate its 58th commencement with three socially distanced ceremonies Saturday, May 15 in the SRC Arena.
Cristian Pompey will speak at the 9am ceremony. He's a Brooklyn native who earned a degree in Mathematics & Science. During his time on campus he served as an RA in the residence hall, a member of the Unity Day committee, vice president of the Makerspace Club, a student ambassador for Extraordinary Men of Distinction, worked in the office of the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program, and was supported by the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation. He plans to transfer to the University of Buffalo and major in Computer Engineering.
Si Po Ra will speak at the 1 p.m. ceremony. She immigrated to the United States from Burma, graduated from Henninger High School in 2019, and enrolled at OCC where she earned a degree in Humanities & Social Sciences. SUNY named her one of just 45 students statewide to receive the Norman R. McConney Jr. Award for Student Excellence. The award highlights outstanding students in the Educational Opportunity Program for their academic excellence and strength in overcoming significant personal obstacles through their lives. Si Po is transferring to Syracuse University's Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs where she will major in International Relations.
Hunter Scholl will speak at the 5 p.m. ceremony. He is a 2019 graduate of Liverpool High School who is receiving a degree in Communication Studies. He is a member of the College's chapter of international honor society Phi Theta Kappa which was recently named top ten in the world for the third year in a row. Scholl will transfer to SUNY Geneseo and pursue a bachelor's degree in Communications. Because he was born in Russia and adopted when he was 13 months old, Scholl plans to one day work with adoption agencies and help orphans.
All three students are our guests on this edition of our podcast, "Chatting About College."
Chalea Jones can't wait for Saturday, May 15 to arrive. That's the day when she'll receive her Accounting degree from Onondaga Community College. It took her 16 years to get from her high school graduation to her college commencement. She's ready to savor the moment and set an example for her children. "I have two girls and I want them to see me walk the stage and know they can do this too."
The last time Jones "walked the stage" was June 2005 when she was leaving Corcoran High School. She was pregnant and thought she knew what was best. "I couldn't wait to get out of high school and I didn't think college was for me. I thought I could figure things out and do it on my own."
She would spend several years working a variety of jobs before coming to the realization she needed to continue her education. "I got a point to where I just wasn't happy. I didn't like the trajectory of where my career was going. As much as I tried to fight it, I hit a wall. I knew I needed to go back to school, carve out my own career path, and figure out what I wanted to do."
With two daughters at home, Jones couldn't have given college a try college without a strong support system behind her. "I was incredibly happy and blessed to have a husband who pushed me and said, 'go to school. Don't worry about working right now. Get your degree. I'll take care of everything. Let's get you to the next place.'"
Before coming to OCC in 2019 Jones had been working in the medical billing industry. She was good at math and decided she would pursue an Accounting degree. She overcame her anxiety about returning to school and did well right from the start. In 2020 she was inducted into the College's chapter of international honor society Phi Theta Kappa.
Jones set up her two-year OCC plan so that in her final semester she would have just one class to take, giving her the flexibility to do an internship. With the help of OCC, she pursued an internship opportunity at Dermody, Burke & Brown accounting firm in Syracuse. She interviewed, thought she did well, and was told they would get back to her. The next day her phone rang. "They didn't offer me an internship. They offered me a full time job! I accepted and started in January. I couldn't believe it worked out like this!"
Five months in to her job as an Accounting Specialist, life couldn't be better for Jones and her family. Her daughters are ages 15 and 12 and they're about to watch their mom walk across the stage. "Coming to OCC was the best decision. Everything fell into place. I'm so incredibly proud of myself for what I was able to do."
Chalea Jones is our guest on this edition of our podcast, "Chatting About College."
This is a busy time of the year in the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement. Student Government representatives are working hard to get through the last few weeks of the semester. And Shawn Edie, who runs the office, is preparing for campus-wide elections which will produce a new class of student officers. Edie is always on the lookout for student officers and encourages anyone interested to visit his office on the first floor of the Gordon Student Center in G114. On this edition of our podcast, "Chatting About College," Edie joins us to discuss the critical role Student Government plays on our campus and the great opportunities it presents students with.
Throughout this semester four Onondaga Community College professors have led a campus-wide discussion about race and policing in America. Professors Karen Harrison, Pete Patnode, Tara Ross, and Jessica Wieczorek have held three, interactive pop-up sessions, each of which has been focused on specific topics related to race and policing. The sessions have been highly informative and have created meaningful dialogue.
Friday, April 30 the professors will present a symposium on race and police in America titled, "Change Is Going To Come." Scheduled presenters and speakers include:
- Kishon Hickman, Lieutenant with the New York City Police Department
- Yusuf Abdul-Qadir, Director of the Central New York Chapter of the New York Civil Liberties Union
- Kenton Buckner, Chief of Police, Syracuse Police Department
- Pamela Hunter, New York State Assemblywoman, 128th District
- Ranette Releford, Administrator for Syracuse's Citizen Review Board
- Dave Wall, Onondaga County Sheriff's Department Retired Chief Deputy and OCC Criminal Justice Professor
You can join and participate in the symposium live via Microsoft Teams at https://tinyurl.com/occraceandpolice. The three previously held pop-up discussions can be viewed in their entirety at a special web page on the OCC website.
OCC's "Discussing Race and Policing in America" effort is the focus of this edition of our podcast, "Chatting About College. Our guess is Professor Karen Harrison.
Onondaga Community College's Allison Logue and Hadassah Johnson have been named to the USA Today Phi Theta Kappa All-New York Academic Team for the 2020-2021 school year. Both were selected for their distinguished academic achievements and leadership accomplishments.
Logue is in the Humanities & Social Sciences degree program and a member of the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) leadership team. She is a native of Syracuse who was homeschooled. Logue plans to transfer to Smith College and major in Government.
Johnson grew up in Auburn where she was the youngest of 12 children. She was also homeschooled. Johnson serves as PTK's Co-Vice President of Scholarship. She is a Music major specializing in Voice. She plans to earn bachelor's and master's degrees in Music Performance and become a teacher.
Both students join us in this edition of "Chatting About College." Congratulations to our two All State students, Allison Logue and Hadassah Johnson!
Do you love music? Onondaga Community College has created a new degree program which can help you turn your passion into a meaningful career producing music. The Sound Recording degree is designed to provide students hands-on training in recording, mixing, and mastering music while using industry-standard equipment and software. Our program is designed to allow students to seamlessly transfer to SUNY Oswego or SUNY Fredonia with junior status. Career options include audio engineer, music producer, studio technician, or a sound operator for live events like concerts. The new Sound Recording is the topic of our podcast, "Chatting About College." Our guest is Sound Recording program coordinator Professor Lisa Miller.
Onondaga Community College's Learning Center is about to become one of the most popular places on campus. As the end of the semester approaches, more and more students will go there for help. The Learning Center offers free tutoring to anyone taking an OCC class. Its located on the second floor of the Gordon Student Center right next to the cafeteria.
The Learning Center is the focus of this week's podcast, "Chatting About College." Our guest is Kathy D'Aprix, Associate Vice President of Academic Support Services who oversees The Learning Center.
The Learning Center is open 7 days a week. You can contact The Learning Center by phone at (315) 498-2103.
Onondaga Community College's Fire Protection Technology degree program is getting a makeover. New Program Coordinator Kevin Geidel has brought his diverse background to campus and is working hard to introduce students to all of the related career options besides firefighting. Geidel has spent 20 years in the fire service and 15 years as an engineer. Through OCC's program students can learn critical skills such as system design, code enforcement, standards, research, product testing, and investigating. The Fire Protection Technology degree program is the subject of our podcast, "Chatting About College."
Social media has become one of the biggest, if not the biggest way, to send out messages to large audiences and communicate with them. Onondaga Community College has five social media channels; Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tok Tok, and You Tube. Knowing how to use each platform properly requires an in-depth understanding of how they work and their specific audiences.
In the latest edition of our podcast, "Chatting About College," we discuss the ever-changing world of social media with Digital Marketing Specialist Zach Snyder who oversees all of OCC's social media channels.
No matter how fast technology changes and advances, the importance of words and the power of writing will always be needed. Employers have told us they need people who know how to write. That's why Onondaga Community College developed a Creative Writing degree program in time for the 2020-2021 academic year. The skills students learn will put them on the path to a rewarding career in marketing, public relations, or even computer and video game programming.
Students enrolled in our Creative Writing degree program will be connected with internship opportunities through our Career Center. In their final semester our faculty will help students create a publishable portfolio to highlight all of their outstanding work. And we've created seamless transfer pathways to SUNY Potsdam, SUNY Oswego, and Le Moyne College so students can enroll with junior status.
In this edition of our "Chatting About College" we meet Professors Christian Heisler and Patrick Snow who developed OCC's Creative Writing degree program. Enjoy!
Onondaga Community College is preparing to welcome prospective students and family members to campus the week of March 29 for a series of Open House sessions! The Office of Student Recruitment will host four sessions during a four-day period:
- Monday, March 29 10am-1pm In-person
- Tuesday, March 30 10am-1pm In-person
- Wednesday, March 31 10am-1pm In-person
- Thursday, April 1 11:30am-1:30pm Virtual
The upcoming Open House is the subject of our podcast, "Chatting About College." Our guest is Dana Acee, Director of Student Recruitment.
Onondaga Community College's "One Team" gives incoming students their own point person who guides them from the application process through their first semester on campus. The captain of One Team is Ryan Nellenback, OCC's Director of Student Onboarding and a 2004 alumnus of the College. On this edition of "Chatting About College," Nellenback explains how One Team is making a difference in the academic journey of prospective and new students.
On the latest edition of our podcast, "Chatting About College," we're discussing Onondaga Community College's recent designation as a Military Friendly School. Our guest is Steve White who leads OCC's Office of Veterans' Affairs and oversees services provided to more than 200 GI Bill recipients who are Veterans and dependents of Veterans.
The Military Friendly designation is awarded based on institutional survey scores combined with the ability to meet thresholds for student retention, graduation, job placement, loan repayment, persistence (degree advancement or transfer), and loan default rate for all students and, specifically, for Student Veterans. OCC's dedicated space for Student Veterans, the Office of Veterans' Affairs , is located on the second floor of Coulter Hall at the top of the main stairwell in room C217.
In the last three years three Student Veterans have earned their degrees from OCC and transferred to Ivy League schools.
- Devlin Babcock, Cornell University
- Trevor Warner, Cornell University
- Seth Bae, Harvard University and Brown University
The Military Friendly designation is handed out annually by Military Friendly which is owned and operated by VIQTORY, a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business.
Onondaga Community College's School of Health has a broad array of new and expanded opportunities for students interested in a health-related career. The programs include:
- Health Sciences - This is a new degree program designed in collaboration with SUNY Upstate Medical University to ensure seamless transfers there. Career options include Medical Imaging, Radiation Therapy, or Respiratory Therapy.
- Health Studies Certificate - This is a new certificate program which prepares students to work in a medical or insurance office, or create the foundation for students to be accepted into OCC's Nursing, Surgical Technology, or Physical Therapist Assistant degree programs.
- Nursing - We've added a section of night and weekend classes to our degree program to give more students more opportunities. We also offer dual admission options with SUNY Upstate Medical University.
- Paramedic - Learn core medical principles that are key for success along with the critical thinking and communication skills to provide emergency care. Students will also learn important math and sciences to apply in the field. After transferring to SUNY Upstate students will put those principles into action and get familiar with the gear and rigging they will use.
- Physical Therapist Assistant - Students learn how to help patients regain range of motion, strength, and mobility.
- Health Information Technology/Medical Records - Students become proficient at using current information systems to collect, analyze, disseminate, and maintain patient data. This is a rewarding career which requires medical knowledge but does not require direct care.
- Surgical Technology - Learn how to assist during operating procedures by preparing, maintaining, cleaning, and storing instruments used during surgery.
- Medical Assistant - This 36 week program prepares students to assist physicians and other health professionals with patient care and office management.
- Phlebotomy - This 36 week program prepares students to safely draw blood from patients.
All of these degree and certificate programs are the subject of our podcast, "Chatting About College," with Karen Fabrizio who is our Dean of Health & Community Service.
A 64-year-old vehicle has brought a new sense of energy to OCC's Automotive Technology program. "This is a cool project. I like taking old stuff and making it new again," said Auto Tech student Brandon Jones (Whitesboro HS). "I've been enjoying working on it. I'm looking forward to getting it up and running and in shape," added Auto Tech student Sabrina Sovocool (Tully HS).
Those comments are music to the ears of Ryan Beckley, Coordinator of OCC's Automotive Technology program. His students have begun working on restoring a 1957 Chevy pickup truck. The truck will be raffled off sometime next year. "Resurrecting this vehicle is bringing excitement and life into the program. Students are excited about working on it. It's doing exactly what I hoped it would do," said Beckley.
The truck arrived on campus in late February. Restoration is expected to take a full year. The plan is to raffle it off in 2022 and raise enough money to bring in another vehicle for restoration. Beckley says students will add some modern features to the truck like air conditioning, power windows and door locks, LED lights, digital gauges, and bluetooth capability. "Even thought students will be working on an old truck, this will be a good way for them to become familiar with the tools and processes at a very basic and fundamental skill level."
The restoration process is the subject of our podcast, "Chatting About College."
If you love being creative, Onondaga Community College's School of Art, Design, Media & Music probably has a degree program that's perfect for you. There are eight degree programs to choose from including:
- Apprentice Training: Building Trades A.A.S.
- Architectural Technology A.A.S.
- Art A.A.S.
- Broadcast Media Communications A.A.S.
- Interior Design A.A.S.
- Music A.S.
- Photography A.S.
- Sound Recording A.S.
In this edition of our podcast, "College Chat," we speak with Faculty School Specialist Katharine Rumrill-Teece.
Prospective and current students can contact the School of Art, Design, Media & Music by email artdesignmediaandmusic@sunyocc.edu or phone (315) 498-7330.
Gina Segreti's journey to a high-achieving student seems almost unimaginable when you consider where she started from. She has epilepsy and autism, never knew her father, lost her mother at age 17, was bullied constantly in school, and was placed in a group home until she was old enough to live on her own.
Her list of accomplishments is equally breathtaking: Gina is president of the College's chapter of international honor society Phi Theta Kappa, a member of Student Government, president of the Makerspace Club, serves the College as a Social media Reporter, will earn her degree this May, and was recently nominated for a SUNY Chancellor's Award For Student Excellence. It's the highest honor any SUNY student can receive.
How has she been able to overcome so many obstacles in her life? Gina explains in the latest edition of our podcast, "Chatting About College."
If you've ever considered becoming a teacher this is a great time to explore options and Onondaga Community College's School of Education is the place to do it. During the month of August in New York State, nearly 600 full-time teachers submitted their retirement papers. That's a 121% increase from the previous August and a 99% jump from August 2018. With the need for teachers increasing, OCC's School of Education has a combination of five degree and certificate programs including:
- Early Child Care Certificate
- Early Childhood A.A.S.
- Liberal Arts & Sciences: Adolescent Education A.A.
- Liberal Arts & Sciences: Childhood Education A.A.
- Physical Education & Exercise Science Studies A.S.
In this edition of our podcast, "College Chat," we speak with Faculty School Specialist Nancy Gabriel.
Prospective and current students can contact the School of Education by email education@sunyocc.edu or phone (315) 498-2182.
Do you have financial aid-related questions? You're not alone! Figuring everything out and doing what you have to do on time is a big challenge.
February is Financial Aid Awareness Month! Onondaga Community College Director of Financial Aid Kevin Sapio has a team of experts here ready to serve you. On the latest edition of our podcast, "Chatting about College," Sapio simplifies the process and shares important advice.
There are two financial aid-related forms everyone applying for college needs to fill out. Both are free. The first is the FAFSA which stands for Free Application For Federal Student Aid. You can find a FAFSA form and important information on our website by clicking on this link.
To successfully complete the FAFSA you will need to compile several documents such as your social security card, your driver's license if you have one, tax returns, and bank statements. You can find a complete list of the documents you need by clicking on this link.
There are common mistakes made when filling out the FAFSA. For example, someone may leave an answer blank because the answer is zero or they don't believe the question applies to them. It's important to always enter an answer or the form will be incomplete. You can find a list of the most common mistakes by clicking on this link.
There is a similar document you need to fill out to apply for New York State financial aid. It's referred to as "TAP" which is an acronym for Tuition Assistance Program. You can find a TAP form and important information on our website by clicking on this link.
It is important to fill out the FAFSA and TAP forms for each school year in which you want to be considered for financial aid.
Students and families can receive assistant at OCC's Financial Aid Service Center which is located in the Gordon Student Center. You can also find help by calling (315) 498-2000 or emailing faoinfo@sunyocc.edu.
Onondaga Community College's School of Liberal Arts is the perfect place for students trying to figure out what degree they want to pursue. The School of Liberal Arts has five degree programs:
- American Sign Language A.S.
- Communication Studies A.A.
- Creative Writing A.A.
- Liberal Arts & Sciences: General Studies A.A.
- Liberal Arts & Sciences: Humanities & Social Sciences A.A.
In this edition of our podcast, "College Chat," we speak with Faculty School Specialist Patrick Kenny, Ph.D.
Prospective or returning students can contact OCC's School of Liberal Arts by email liberalarts@sunyocc.edu or by phone (315) 498-2313.
Onondaga Community College's School of Public Safety and Community Service is educating the community servants of tomorrow. The School has a combination of four degree and certificate courses of study including:
- Alcohol & Substance Abuse Counseling A.A.S.
- Criminal Justice A.S.
- Human Services A.S.
- Law Enforcement Certificate
In this edition of our podcast, "College Chat," we speak with Faculty School Specialist Donna Stuccio.
Prospective and returning students can contact OCC's School of Public Safety & Community Service by email publicsafetyandcommunityservice@sunyocc.edu or by phone (315) 498-7320.
If you're interested in a STEM-related career, Onondaga Community College's School of Math, Science & Engineering is exactly what you're looking for. The School has four degree paths:
- Engineering Science A.S.
- Environmental Technology A.A.S.
- Geospatial Science & Technology A.A.S.
- Liberal Arts & Sciences: Mathematics & Science A.S.
In this edition of our podcast, "College Chat," we speak with School of Math, Science & Engineering Faculty School Specialist Professor Justin Fiene.
The School of Math, Science & Engineering can be reached by email mathscienceandengineering@sunyocc.edu or by phone (315) 498-7310.
Alexis Riccardo loves being busy and the spring 2021 semester promises to be her most challenging to date. Riccardo is taking 18 credits this semester in the Engineering Science degree program. She's also President of the Student Association. And most importantly, she's a mom.
Thanks to her participation in the College's C-STEP program (Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program) she spent a week in January participating in a mini-semester program with the Brookhaven National Laboratory and loved the experience.
Riccardo is our guest on the latest edition of our podcast, "Higher Ed News You Can Use From Onondaga Community College."
In this edition of Higher Ed News You Can Use From Onondaga Community College, if you're interested in preparing for outstanding careers opportunities in sparkling, state-of-the-art learning environments while receiving instruction from great professors, Onondaga Community College's School of Business has exactly what you're looking for. The School of Business offers three degree paths:
- Business Administration A.S.
- Business Technology A.A.S.
- Hospitality Management A.A.S.
Many classes in the Business degree programs are taught in the Whitney Commons learning space which was designed to replicate a modern workplace. It includes a scrolling illuminated stock ticker, large touch screens and monitors, and tables groups of students can sit at while collaborating on projects.
Students in the Hospitality Management degree program learn and work in $3.5 million dollar facilities which include a bakery, kitchen, restaurant, and retail shop.
In this edition of Higher Ed News You Can Use From Onondaga Community College... if you are interested in a health-related career, OCC has wonderful options for students to consider. The School of Health has a combination of six degree and certificate programs including:
- Health Information Technology/Medical Records A.A.S.
- Health Sciences A.S.
- Health Studies Certificate
- Nursing A.A.S.
- Physical Therapist Assistant A.A.S.
- Surgical Technology A.A.S.
Prospective and current students can contact OCC's School of Health by email health@sunyocc.edu and by phone (315) 498-2458.
In this edition of Higher Ed News You Can Use From Onondaga Community College our School of Computing and Applied Technologies is preparing students for careers in which there are more job openings than workers to fill them. It's a great position for students to be in! Our School of Computing & Applied Technologies has a combination of twelve degree and certificate programs including:
- Advanced Manufacturing: Machining Certificate
- Apprentice Training: Electrical A.A.S.
- Automotive Technology A.O.S.
- Computer Forensics A.S.
- Computer Information Systems A.A.S.
- Computer Science A.S.
- Electrical Technology A.A.S.
- Electromechanical: Drone Technology A.A.S.
- Fire Protection Technology A.A.S.
- Fire Protection Technology Certificate
- Mechanical Technology A.A.S.
- Nuclear Technology A.A.S.
Prospective and current students can contact OCC's School of Computing & Applied Technologies by email computingappliedtechnologies@sunyocc.edu or phone (315) 498-7300.
OCC Alum Ryan Beckley returned to campus as Coordinator of the College's Automotive Technology degree program. He's a Baldwinsville native who put East Syracuse Minoa High School's Auto Tech program on the map with his unique instructional methods.
If you have a curiosity about the way the world works, enthusiasm, creativity, and an interest in technology, Onondaga Community College has the perfect opportunity for you. It's the Geospatial Science & Technology degree program! This is a great STEM option for students who love technology and creativity but are not as strong in heavy math theory.
Students will learn how to analyze geographic data, use drones and other technology to survey land, and transfer these skills into a career. OCC's amazing industry partners will help educate students based on true industry standards, and offer internships which can lead to jobs.
Professor Buffy Quinn who brought Geospatial Science & Technology to OCC is the guest on our podcast, Higher Ed News You Can Use From Onondaga Community College.