"All Of My Success is Because I Was At OCC"

Wurood Shaher '16 owns her own business, teaches students at the high school and college levels, and is pursuing her doctoral degree. She's come a long way, both figuratively and literally, since she immigrated to the United States with her husband and son. She credits her time at Onondaga Community College with putting her on the road to a productive life and career. "All of my success is because I was at OCC. I am sure if I started at another place I would not be where I am. I've been at other places where I did not find the same level of love and support as I did at OCC."

Shaher and her husband, Mohanad Faisal, were living in Baghdad, Iraq when they made the difficult decision to leave their homeland just over a decade ago. They traveled west to Egypt and waited there until 2012 when they were welcomed into the United States.

They settled in Syracuse and began building their new lives. Faisal had a background in network engineering and found employment with a television station in Watertown. Shaher focused on her education, learned the English language, and began pursuing her Art degree at OCC. "My mother-in-law helped so much with the care of our sons. With the support of my husband and the professors at OCC, especially Andrea Reeves, I focused on my work. They all looked out for me. I owe them so much!"

Shaher completed her associate degree in 2016, earned a bachelor's degree from Syracuse University in Computer Art & Animation, and a master's degree in Digital Media Management from Arkansas State University. While earning her last degree, she started Skyline Media which specializes in print design services, animation, production, and marketing.

Today Shaher and Faisal live in Connecticut with their three children. Their oldest is a senior in high school. He's interested in a medical-related career and, like his mother, will begin higher education at a community college. Shaher is pursuing a Ph.D. at Liberty University while also running her business, teaching media art at East Catholic High School in Connecticut, and responsive web design at Rasmussen University in Florida.

She dreams of going back to where her journey in the U.S. began. "One day I would love to return to OCC and teach there. I want to impact others the way the faculty impacted me."