OCC Celebrates Its First-Generation College Students

Retine Mfurakazi is a trailblazer in her family. She's the first to attend college, providing a valuable example for her 5 younger sisters. "Me being the first is big! You have the pressure of everyone looking up to you and you're trying to make your family proud."

Mfurakazi is one of approximately 2,500 Onondaga Community College students who were recognized November 8 on National First-Generation College Celebration Day. The College hosted celebrations in the SRC Arena's Otis Suite and on the quad. Speakers included OCC President Dr. Warren Hilton and Onondaga County Deputy of Strategic Initiatives Esteban Gonzalez. He presented OCC with a First Generation College Student Celebration Day Proclamation signed by both Onondaga County Executive J. Ryan McMahon II and Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh.

The celebration also had special meaning for Alex Pagan who, along with his twin sister Alexis, is also a first-generation college student. "It holds significance for us.  It's a pathway to a better future, to something new in life, and success. Pagan is a member of OCC's Men's Basketball team, the Extraordinary Men of Distinction, and he serves as a Student Ambassador who gives campus tours to prospective students and their families.

Mfurakazi is a native of the Democratic Republic of the Congo who immigrated to the U.S. in 2015 and graduated from Corcoran High School in 2020. She completed her Humanities & Social Sciences degree in May, then returned to work on her Nursing prerequisites. She plans to transfer after this semester and pursue her bachelor's degree in Nursing. She was inspired to pursue a medical-related career after watching her mother struggle with kidney failure.

OCC's First-Generation College Celebration Day events were organized by Director of Student Support Services Dr. Meghan Bahns.