Student Stories: How Jacob O’Neil Found His Voice at HCC
Student Stories: How Jacob O’Neil Found His Voice at HCC
Growing up, Jacob thought college was a box to check, a problem to solve.
He never imagined he'd speak at graduation.
Standing before hundreds of students, families, and faculty at HCC’s Honors Convocation on May 15, Jacob O’Neil delivered a heartfelt message about purpose. It was a moment he never could have pictured just a few years earlier.
Jacob learned about the financial realities of higher education at a young age. His half-brother’s expensive art degree had made student loans a frequent topic of conversation in his family.
"My parents were always talking about it," Jacob recalled. "They told us we had to be smart about college and make sure we knew what we were going to do with our degrees."
Jacob did know—he wanted to be a dentist. He also knew that dream came with years of schooling and serious expenses. Still, he was determined. “I wasn’t going to let the financial aspect limit me,” he said. “I knew I needed a strategic plan to get to where I wanted to go.”
That practical mindset led him to HCC, where he could build a solid academic foundation without debt. FAFSA grants covered most of his costs, and he could work to handle the rest. But a turning point came when he was awarded a Foundation scholarship. It was an unexpected moment that began to shift the way he saw higher education.
"I started really thinking about what scholarships are and the people who donate them. The fact that people value my education and want to support people who may not have the means to do so... it's incredible."
What began as a financial decision quickly evolved into something more. He didn’t see the scholarship as free money, but as a motivating responsibility. He opened a certificate of deposit account, used only the interest for school supplies, and let the rest grow as a quiet but powerful way to honor his donors’ investment in him.
“I didn't really see the money as mine,” he explained. “It was in my hands, but I didn't make it myself. So I wanted to make the most of it.”
As years' worth of financial stress began to fade, Jacob found himself stepping into opportunities he never expected. One of his most significant experiences at HCC was his role as a peer mentor through a Title III grant, where he supported first-year students who needed extra guidance. He got the chance to tutor students, give lectures, lead classroom discussions, and find joy in helping others. This experience was unrelated to his career, but college was no longer just a means to an end—it had become a place where he could grow, give back, and thrive in new ways.
The confidence Jacob built through his academic success, meaningful work, and financial independence shone through. He joined the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, where he was honored to receive the Sash of Gratitude in recognition of his involvement with HCC's chapter. "I was honored and humbled," he said. "I’m deeply grateful for these awards and what they represent."
When two professors nominated him to speak at Honors Convocation, Jacob was genuinely surprised. "I was like, what? Me?" he remembered. After auditioning alongside other nominees, he was selected to represent his class.
As he prepared his speech and looked ahead to transferring to the University of Maryland, Jacob reflected on the place HCC will hold for him.
"This degree may not be my last, but it represents a steppingstone in my journey; one full of growth and development both academically and personally. As I look ahead, I'm excited to carry the values of leadership, service, scholarship, and fellowship with me wherever I go next."
Jacob leaves HCC with more than a debt-free education and an impressive list of awards (Commendation for Academic Excellence in Mathematics and Science: Chemistry, the Phi Theta Kappa Distinguished Member Award, High Honors). He also carries leadership experience, a clear direction, and the unshakable belief that he belongs in every room he enters—sometimes even at the front of it.