At SUNY Morrisville, Shausé Gregoire found more than support to help him through college. He found a family — people who believe in him, encourage him when life gets difficult and help him see the possibilities beyond the challenges he faces.
Through the Advancing Success in Associate Pathways (ASAP) program, the criminal justice student, from Watertown, NY, found a community that has helped him stay focused on his education and consider a future different from the one he once imagined.
Gregoire had worked hard to make his dream of playing college basketball a reality, earning scholarships and building a future around the sport he loved. But serious health challenges changed that path. He was diagnosed with leukemia, which later returned, and developed kidney disease. Complications eventually led to a knee replacement, forcing him to reconsider his plans.
The challenges began long before college. Challenges with leukemia kept him out of the classroom for extended periods during high school, but Gregoire continued his schoolwork from hospital rooms in New York City. Back home, his classmates at South Jefferson High School rallied around him, creating a banner bearing the words “Shausé’s Army.”
The support he received stayed with him. Now, Gregoire hopes to offer that same kind of encouragement working with young people in the juvenile justice system, helping them navigate difficult circumstances, find direction and recognize their potential.
“I think the system is broken and kids need guidance in the world, and life is tough,” he said. “They need somebody who understands them and can give them hope and resilience so they can become somebody in the world.”
Gregoire knows how much it matters to have someone in your corner.
“ASAP|ACE has helped me understand that my journey does not have to be perfect to have purpose,” Gregoire said. “Everything I have experienced can become part of something greater. Sometimes, all a person needs is someone to believe in them until they learn how to believe in themselves. And for me, ASAP|ACE has been part of that journey.”
For Gregoire, the program offers more than academic guidance. It provides personal connections, encouragement and assistance that help him navigate college and stay on track toward a degree.
SUNY Morrisville offers both ASAP and the Advancing Completion through Engagement ACE program. The state-funded initiatives combine academic advising, personal support and assistance with college-related expenses to help students overcome barriers and complete their degrees. SUNY Morrisville was among the first campuses to launch the programs in 2024 and now serves 360 students through ASAP and ACE.
Born in the Virgin Islands, Gregoire moved to the United States with his family in 2008 in search of greater opportunities. At Morrisville, he has embraced campus life, assisting the men’s basketball team, volunteering at the Children’s Center and participating in ASAP and the Collegiate Science & Technology Entry Program (CSTEP). He also serves on the Campus Activities Board and is involved with the Caribbean African Student Union. He has earned a place on the Dean’s list every semester.
His faith has also helped him through difficult times. Tattooed on his left forearm are a cross, a basketball and Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
For students considering ASAP|ACE, his advice is simple.
“Be part of it,” he said. “It is a community of people who believe in you, people who will push you, people who will help you when things get hard, and people who will help you see possibilities that you may not see for yourself yet.”
