Oscar

Oscar also worked with the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration as a Project Associate, leading the U.S. Education Pathway for Refugee Students initiative. He continues to support refugee-centered efforts as a Strategic Table Advisor for Student Voices for Refugees (SVR).

His commitment to global education includes his work with Southern New Hampshire University’s Global Education Movement, where he advanced the mission of expanding postsecondary opportunities for refugee learners worldwide. Additionally, he served as Assistant Director of Refugee Education Programs at Kepler Education, supporting access to higher education for displaced communities.

A servant leader and youth motivator, Oscar believes deeply in the transformative power of education. He actively participates in refugee advocacy initiatives and consistently champions the rights and dignity of displaced people. He currently volunteers as Executive Secretary of the United Congolese Community, a nonprofit organization based in Kentucky, and is leading a community project to design a community‑owned store aimed at strengthening local economic empowerment.

Oscar holds an MBA with a concentration in Project Management and a BA in Communications from Southern New Hampshire University, as well as a BA in Economics from the National University of Rwanda.

“With a determined spirit, Gad Sezirahiga emerged from the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo, enduring scarcity in a Rwandan refugee camp for two decades before resettling in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. His educational journey includes a Bachelor’s degree in Physics from the National University of Rwanda, followed by Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Wyoming/USA. This educational experience, coupled with his understanding of energy poverty, fuels his pursuit for a better life. He possesses a keen drive for creative problem-solving and innovative thinking, and he is dedicated to aiding the integration of immigrants who have faced similar challenges. As a naturalized US citizen, Gad’s goal is to contribute to the energy sector and facilitate the successful assimilation of resettled immigrants into their new communities, addressing crucial needs and not only fostering a sense of belonging, dignity, and opportunity but also enriching the social fabric and economic of the receiving society. As vice-president and chief operating officer(COO) at Rapid Integration Support & Empowerment ( RISE), Gad continues to advocate   for refugees and immigrants and empower them to become self-sufficient contributors to their new communities. Gad remains  steadfast in his commitment to fostering a more compassionate and welcoming society for all,guided by the belief that everyone deserves the chance and can live in society with  dignity,regardless of their background or place of birth.