Dana Acee vividly remembers the first time she understood the transformative potential of community colleges. After years at traditional four-year institutions, stepping onto the Onondaga Community College (OCC) campus in Syracuse felt like discovering hidden terrain. “Seeing a genuinely open-access institution, where doors are open to every student, changed my whole perspective on what education could achieve,” she recalls. In that moment, Dana committed herself to a powerful idea: career and technical education (CTE) is about more than job skills. It is about dignity, connection, and meaningful economic opportunity.
Seeing Herself in Her Students
Dana, a first-generation Lebanese-American college graduate, intimately understands the complexities her students face. Her own journey to higher education was uncertain, filled with questions about belonging and capability. “For many students, the decision isn’t about which college to attend, but whether they can attend college at all,” Dana explains. During her early career in admissions, she helped students navigate that crucial turning point, bridging dreams and realities. This personal mission continues to guide her work, ensuring OCC’s pathways remain accessible to students who might otherwise be overlooked.
Reimagining Career Services with Intention
Upon taking charge of OCC’s Career Services, Dana quickly identified areas where student support could be strengthened. Career counseling had been isolated and underutilized, perceived by students as optional rather than essential. “Why isn’t career readiness central to every student’s education?” Dana questioned. She responded by embedding career specialists directly into academic programs, making professional development accessible to all students, not just those who already knew how to seek support. This strategic repositioning significantly increased student engagement and success.
Micro-Internships and Real-World Change
Dana didn’t stop at internal restructuring. Recognizing common barriers such as transportation challenges, work commitments, and family responsibilities, she leads an innovative micro-internship program. These short-term, paid internships are designed around student needs. One notable success is a student who interned with the Syracuse firm in-ARCHITECTS, working on key community projects. This brief yet powerful experience propelled the student to continue her education at a four-year institution, with plans to return professionally to Syracuse. It is a testament to the lasting impact of Dana’s initiatives.
Making Career Readiness Universal
At the core of Dana’s NYSACTE Postsecondary State CTE Leaders Fellowship with Advance CTE sponsored by the ECMC Foundation project, is a bold vision to incorporate structured career readiness into every student’s academic journey. Instead of leaving professional development to chance, her approach directly addresses the unique challenges faced by students from varied backgrounds. The structured milestones include career assessments, professional networking, and communication training, carefully designed to empower students who might not otherwise have these experiences. “Relying solely on students to independently seek out resources doesn’t create fair opportunities,” Dana insists. “Career readiness needs to be seamlessly integrated.”
A Critical Moment for Central New York
The stakes could not be higher. With a substantial investment into semiconductor manufacturer Micron’s arrival, Central New York is experiencing significant economic investment and a pressing demand for skilled workers prepared for career success. Dana views this not merely as an economic opportunity but as a pivotal moment to foster inclusive prosperity within the community. “This moment isn’t simply about filling jobs,” she emphasizes. “It’s about creating prosperity that includes everyone in our community.”
Leading from Personal Experience
Dana’s leadership uniquely combines professional clarity with genuine empathy. Her Lebanese-American heritage deeply shapes her understanding of students who navigate multiple cultural identities. “Living between cultures can be challenging,” she acknowledges. Yet, Dana sees this as a source of strength, encouraging students to embrace their distinct experiences. “Our experiences shape us,” she reflects. “There’s power in embracing and navigating that complexity.”
A Vision for Postsecondary CTE
Looking ahead, Dana hopes her initiatives at OCC will inspire similar efforts statewide. Her approach demonstrates that collaborative and responsive career readiness strategies aren’t just effective; they’re essential. “We aren’t just preparing students for the workforce,” she concludes. “We’re helping them envision futures they never imagined possible.”
As we celebrate Arab American Heritage Month, Dana’s story highlights the quiet revolution occurring in community colleges nationwide, championed by leaders dedicated to creating meaningful opportunities for all students.
| To hear more about Dana Acee’s journey and her work in building stronger workforce pathways, tune into her full conversation on the NYSACTE Postsecondary Fellowship Podcast, available now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. |  |
