It's easy to see Moise Laub's polished appearance, hear about his recent acceptance into a top-ranked graduate school program, and not realize what it took for him to get to this point. "Without OCC I wouldn't have the confidence and the experience I have. I know I wouldn't have these chances and these opportunities. I've grown a lot because of OCC. OCC is where everything started for me."
His story of overcoming life hurdles may well be a movie one day. Laub grew up in an orphanage in Haiti and often dreamed about living in the United States. His dream came true at age 12 when he was adopted by a family in Oklahoma.
In 2006 with his high school graduation just a couple of months away, his girlfriend became pregnant. He made the decision to join the Navy so he could support his family. While stationed in San Diego, Laub took an online class through OCC. He enjoyed his experience so much he decided to one day move to New York and attend OCC.
After serving his country for more than a decade, Laub traveled across the country and enrolled at OCC. While working toward his General Studies degree he was heavily involved in campus life. He was an officer in Student Government, a representative on the OCC Association Board's Finance and Audit Committee and the Campus Funding Committee, a member of Diversity Council, participated in the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program, and was a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success.
Laub transferred from OCC to Syracuse University where he earned his bachelor's degree in International Relations in 2020. With four children at home due to schools not being open everyday, the pandemic put any future education plans on hold. He and his wife will welcome their fifth child this spring.
During the last year Laub has worked from home as Project Manager for Trauma Research Education for Undergraduates, a program funded through a National Science Foundation grant. He's also focused on starting his own consulting business.
Laub recently learned he was accepted into SU's Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs Master's in Public Administration program. It's the top-ranked program of its kind in the country. When he returns to the classroom this fall, he's also considering simultaneously pursuing a Law degree.
Laub is a long way from that little boy who grew up in an orphanage in Haiti and will always remember the place where everything came together for him. "When I came to OCC I was a Veteran who didn't have any confidence. And now I'm going into the number one program in the country. Because of what I accomplished at OCC I am confident I can not only go there (to SU's Maxwell School), I can succeed and I can excel."
