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 websiteCall 315.498.2103Email: learningcenter@sunyocc.eduWalk 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.