Onondaga Community College: Central New York’s Pathway to Opportunity
Nestled on a sprawling 280-acre campus atop Onondaga Hill in Syracuse, New York, Onondaga Community College (OCC) stands as a cornerstone of higher education in Central New York. As a comprehensive two-year college within the State University of New York (SUNY) system, OCC has been transforming lives and strengthening communities since its founding in 1961. With a mission to make “high-quality educational programs and services accessible to our diverse citizenry,” the college empowers individuals to “explore and discover their inherent potential and to transform themselves to live, work and thrive in our global community”.
A Legacy of Growth and Resilience
OCC’s journey began modestly in September 1962, when it opened its doors to approximately 500 entering freshmen in just three and a half floors of the rehabilitated L.C. Smith factory at Midtown Plaza in downtown Syracuse. The college’s first graduating class in 1964 numbered just 160 students. In 1970, the college moved to its current location on Onondaga Hill, and by 1973, the campus had been fully established on 270 acres of wooded terrain offering expansive views of the surrounding region. What began as a small urban experiment has since grown into an institution serving nearly 13,000 full-time and part-time students, making it the second-largest undergraduate college in Central New York. By fall 2025, OCC’s undergraduate enrollment had reached 9,065 students. Buy fake USA diploma online.
A Campus Designed for Success
OCC’s main campus, located at 4585 West Seneca Turnpike, features eight academic buildings housing nearly 50 different degree and certificate programs. The college also operates OCC@Liverpool (formerly the North Site) on Route 57 in Liverpool, New York. In 2006, OCC opened its first modern residence halls, accommodating more than 800 students in four state-of-the-art facilities. The SRC Arena & Events Center, which opened in 2011, features a six-lane track, flexible seating for up to 6,500, and three multi-purpose courts, hosting intercollegiate, scholastic, and community-based events. Students also enjoy complimentary access to an on-campus Southwest YMCA with state-of-the-art fitness equipment.
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Academic Excellence and Pathways to the Future
OCC offers more than 50 programs of study across diverse fields including Business, Human Services, Applied Technologies, Computer Science, Health Professions, Humanities, and the Arts. The college’s Liberal Arts and Sciences program provides a traditional course of study that prepares students for transfer to four-year institutions in fields such as journalism, history, political science, psychology, economics, and more. The Computer Science program follows the latest ACM Guidelines, combining practical programming experience with theoretical foundations. OCC also offers specialized career-focused programs including a Nuclear Technology A.A.S. degree developed in alignment with the NEI Nuclear Uniform Curriculum Program, as well as Welding Technology certificates and degrees.
With more than 80 transfer agreements with four-year colleges and universities—including SUNY Oswego, Cornell University, Syracuse University, and the Rochester Institute of Technology—OCC serves as a vital gateway to baccalaureate education. Through a regional higher education center located on campus, students can even pursue bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees through innovative partnerships with institutions such as Bellevue University, SUNY Empire State College, and Keuka College. Day, evening, weekend, online, and extension courses are offered across fall and spring semesters, with 11 academic programs available entirely online.
A Diverse and Vibrant Community
OCC attracts a remarkably diverse student body that includes recent high school graduates, working adults, displaced workers, underrepresented minorities, student-parents, military veterans, students with disabilities, low-income students, and first-generation college students. While over 90% of students are New York State residents, the college also serves more than 500 international and ESL students representing nearly 60 countries. Student life thrives with more than 25 active clubs and organizations, a nationally recognized chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and a robust student government.
Athletic Excellence and Community Impact
OCC’s athletic teams, known as the Lazers, compete in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region III and the Mid-State Athletic Conference. The college’s men’s lacrosse program won NJCAA national championships in 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013, while the women’s lacrosse team captured national titles in 2009 and 2012. OCC fields 15 athletic teams across baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, and volleyball.
A Partner in Education for Success
OCC’s core values—Students First, Learning, Excellence, Diversity, Community, and Responsibility—guide every aspect of the institution. Recognized as a “Military Friendly School” by G.I. Jobs Magazine and among the top 10 percent of community colleges nationally by the Aspen Institute, OCC has earned a reputation for innovation and student success. With more than 35,000 alumni, the college continues to fulfill its vision of being “Central New York’s partner in education for success,” enriching the quality of life for all who live and work in the region.