Student Spotlight: Maizie Millwood

When Maizie Millwood and her two daughters are home together, the house is usually quiet. Millwood is a 55-year-old single mom who works during the day and takes classes at OCC at night. One of her daughters is in graduate school, the other is working on her bachelor's degree. "We live in a school house, an educated house. We all sit down and do our work. Everybody understand it's the frame of mind that surrounds our house."

Millwood is a native of Jamaica who moved to the United States in 2001. She started taking classes at OCC two years ago while working as a Medical Assistant at the Syracuse Health Center. Her lifelong goal is to become a nurse. In March she learned she had been accepted into OCC's Nursing program. "I was excited, panicked, laughing, and just happy knowing I was able to accomplish another milestone."

Last week she was honored as the Educational Opportunity Program's (EOP) nominee for the Pinnacle Awards. "I was excited and happy. I appreciate it. EOP has been very helpful and encouraging. I like their spirit."

Millwood plans to spend the next two years working by day and studying by night as she pursues her associate degree in Nursing. And she'll do it with the help of her daughters. "They encourage me a lot. We mentor each other. When my children were younger and in school I tutored them. I say 'now it's mommy's time to give back.'"