Jamie Corona - Alumni Profile

Jamie Corona, of Saint Clair Shores, Michigan, is the Assistant Athletic Director and Head Softball Coach at Oakland Community College.  A graduate of Lake Shore High School, Corona received her Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts from OCC in 2004.  Her achievements at OCC led to academic and athletic scholarships from Saginaw Valley State University, and she obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education from SVSU in 2007.

Why did you choose OCC?
The school felt like the right fit for me, and I was able to earn a scholarship to play softball.

What is your fondest memory of OCC?
It would have to be getting to travel to different parts of the country to represent OCC as a member of the softball team.

What surprised you the most about OCC?
How well OCC prepared me to transfer and be successful at a university.

How did attending OCC impact your life?
I am a Owl to my core, and attending OCC and having the amazing experience that I did made me want to come back and work for the college.  My positive experience not only influenced me, but it influenced my sisters as well; they both went on to attend OCC and become successful grads.

Was there a favorite faculty or staff member who had a strong, positive impact on your life?
Steve Ogg had a very positive impact on my life.  He was my softball coach while I played at OCC, and now he continues to mentor me.  He is very kind and engaging, and he has made me a better coach.  I am lucky to now call him a friend.

Were you involved in student engagement activities at OCC?  How did those impact you?
While at OCC, I played for the softball team and was a member of the OCC Optimist Club.  Softball impacted so many aspects of my life; it allowed me to meet people that I am still friends with to this day and create multiple networking opportunities.  It made me a better leader and taught me the difficult task of balancing my academic and athletic career.  I became a better athlete and a well-rounded person, which ultimately helped me earn an academic and athletic scholarship to SVSU.  The Optimist Club taught me the value of giving your time to others, and like softball, it helped me meet new people and create networking opportunities.

What has been your most rewarding professional or personal experience since graduating?
Personally, it is marrying my husband, Joe, and having our one-year-old daughter, Kamryn.  Professionally, it is being able to help the athletes I coach accomplish their goals both athletically and academically.

What advice can you give other OCC graduates about school and life after school?
Be prepared to put the work in to be successful both during and after school, and it will pay off.

What would you like for people to know about OCC that they might not necessarily know?
OCC is a great place to start your college career.  It will give you the foundation necessary to be successful in whatever your next endeavor may be.