Student Spotlight: Isaac Bennett

Onondaga Community College wasn't Isaac Bennett's first choice. Or his second. Or his third. Or his...

You get the idea.

But after two years on campus?

"Now I'm saying 'I really like it here. Do I have to leave now?!?'"

During his senior year at Jamesville-Dewitt High School, Bennett applied to more than a dozen schools. "I hoped one would give me a really good scholarship. I knew I couldn't afford most four-year colleges. None of those ended up working out. My last option was OCC."

As a high school student, Bennett excelled in math and science. He loved taking things apart, learning how they worked, and was fascinated by the design process. It led him to OCC's Engineering Science degree program.

During his first semester, he did well in class but still wasn't excited about OCC. Then he made the decision to get involved in activities outside of class and everything changed. He became a tutor at the Learning Center where he helped fellow students in Chemistry, Math, and Physics; was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society; joined OCC's Cross Country team; developed strong relationships with professors like Mike Oppedisano (Math) and Gene Camerota (Chemistry and Physical Sciences); joined the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars program; and started the Math Club this semester. 

Becoming an active member in the campus community transformed his experience. "I really started to enjoy it here and find my place. I met a lot of people, made a lot of friends, had good relationships with my professors, and it all really led me to enjoy my time here which I wasn't expecting." 

Bennett will complete his degree next month. He plans to transfer to a four-year school in the fall where he will major in Mechanical Engineering.