Moise Laub

Moise (pronounced mo-EES) grew up in an orphanage in Haiti where he dreamed daily of living in the United States. “In Haiti you look at America as your rainbow where everything is perfect. America is the light inside you that is giving you hope. It’s your sense of survival and your ticket out of Haiti.”

His dream came true when he was 12-years-old. Moise was adopted by an American family and raised in Norman, Oklahoma. “Life in Oklahoma was great. I had a community of people that were there for me. As an adopted child from another country you do a lot of adjusting. The church community made it easier for me to adjust and have support and security.”

During his senior year of high school Moise’s girlfriend became pregnant. “I had to decide how to provide for my family. Two months after graduation I joined the Navy and we moved to San Diego.” While in the Navy, Moise took an online class through OCC. He enjoyed his experience and decided to come to campus to visit. “I felt very comfortable here. It felt natural to start college here and establish myself.”

After more than 10 years of  service, the Navy granted Moise a “career intermission,” a three-year-long sabbatical from service so he could attend college. Moise enrolled at OCC and found the experience to be everything he was hoping for. “This college has made me feel very comfortable about my potential. Everyone has given me so much support and constant encouragement. It has given me a sense of belief in myself and what I can achieve as long as I apply myself.”

Moise has served the campus community as a member of the Student Association, Onondaga Community College Association Board's Finance and Audit Committee and the Campus Funding Committee. He is also a member of the Diversity Council, the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program and the National Society of Leadership and Success.

Moise is a 30-year-old father who will earn his degree this May. He hopes to transfer to Syracuse University, major in International Relations and eventually attend law school. “I’m starting to reflect on my life and appreciate where I came from and where I am today. I’m very lucky to be where I am.”