By Natalee Frensley

Rochelle Mosby is a non-traditional student in nearly every sense of the word. 

Mosby, who helms the desk in AEH’s main office as division assistant, has been overcoming hardships and barriers to an education for decades while remaining determined to pursue an advanced degree and support OCCC students and faculty through their own educational journeys. 

Mosby began her college journey in the early 1980s, but when funds ran out, she decided to enter the workforce full-time. 

Not long after, Mosby had her first child: a son who even from an early age suffered from chronic asthma. Any time Mosby attempted to restart classes, she was forced to drop them when her son had nearly routine hospital stays every spring. 

“I decided to just focus on him, focus on the family. Then, I had some, you know, life was a little rocky. I eventually became a single parent,” she said.  

Mosby had to focus on work to support herself, her son, and a daughter and only took classes when she could. 

Eventually, she pieced together enough classes to earn an associates degree. 

With online classes becoming a reality in the early 2000s, Mosby was able to take classes towards a bachelor’s through Rose State. 

“I realized: Wow, I can finish this thing… I was almost finished. Then my son died and just took the life out of me. I was, I think, twelve credit hours away from graduating and just lost love of everything,” Mosby said.  

Mosby found inspiration to continue her education through her daughter. 

“I had to be the mother that shows that there is a way to navigate life,” she said. “No matter how difficult the circumstances. That education is a way out, a way through a barrier.” 

Mosby completed her bachelor’s and began looking into masters programs. Although a Master of Arts in English was her original plan, she decided a master’s in business administration best suited her passions. 

“When you think of people with an MBA, you won’t look and see me. You see a white male with a nice haircut in a blue suit… I’m okay with being outside of the norm,” she said.  

Supporting staff and students of OCCC for the past 24 years has also been a passion of Mosby’s. 

“One thing that people could depend on when they walked in the door is that I’m here. When the phone rings: I’m here.” 

Mosby was on a one year track to complete her MBA when another all too familiar tragedy struck in December of 2021 – a close family member being lost to Covid. 

Academic advisors have helped her reschedule classes to complete the MBA program by Spring 2023. 

“Students need to realize that there is support for you. No matter what you’re going through, no matter what roadblocks life, or even education throws at you, you can reach out,” she said. 

Mosby is a living testament that there is no time limit on getting an education. Life happens, things get messy, and a two year program may turn to five, but that is okay.

Faculty at OCCC to support students at whatever pace works for them.