Starkville Man Transforms Life Journey from Homelessness to Ph.D. at Mississippi State University

Starkville Man Overcomes Challenges to Earn Ph.D. at Mississippi State

Meet Marc Moore, a shining example of determination and resilience! Just a decade ago, he walked onto the campus of Mississippi State University without a high school diploma, feeling lost and uncertain. Fast forward to next week, at the age of 29, Marc is set to walk across the stage at Lee Hall’s Bettersworth Auditorium to proudly accept his Ph.D. in Computer Science.

A Rocky Start

Originally hailing from sunny San Diego, California, things weren’t always easy for Marc. He confronted serious challenges with his education early on, ultimately dropping out of high school after just the ninth grade. “I found school pretty straightforward until I hit 13,” he recalls. “That’s when severe anxiety and depression kicked in, making it impossible for me to function.”

After leaving California behind and moving to Amory, Mississippi, Marc took on various jobs, one of which was as a security guard. However, his night shifts didn’t go smoothly; he lost the job after dozing off during work hours. With his last paycheck, he made a bold decision: he bought a camper shell for his Toyota Tacoma, some tarps for shelter, and a twin mattress so he could sleep in the truck bed.

Finding a New Home

After making friends with Mississippi State University students, Marc set his sights on Starkville. For the next 15 months, he worked as a line cook at Papa John’s and describes his living situation as “functionally homeless.” But the kindness of his new friends—who offered him hearty meals and a place to wash up—made it a bit easier to cope with life on the streets.

“I never once felt like I didn’t belong here,” Marc shares emphatically. “The acceptance and lack of judgment I found were incredible. It felt like everyone I met was open-minded and welcoming.” But even in a friendly atmosphere, Marc felt a nudge of longing. “I wanted to be like my friends who were students,” he admits. “I admired them so much. I wanted to be the person they deserved as a friend—someone pursuing their education.”

A New Path Forward

At the age of 20, Marc decided it was time to turn his life around. He took and passed the GED test and enrolled at East Mississippi Community College. Two years later, he transferred to Mississippi State, where he would later graduate summa cum laude with his bachelor’s degree in computer science.

During his undergraduate journey, Marc found a mentor in Cindy Bethel, a key figure at MSU’s Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems. Despite not knowing the full extent of Marc’s backstory initially, she was profoundly inspired by his work ethic and determination. “He was more determined than I think most graduate and undergraduate students are,” she said, amazed by his journey.

Reaching New Heights

Marc became deeply involved in research, attending conferences and working alongside other scholars, which fueled his ambition to pursue graduate studies at MSU. “I had access to the best technology and resources here—more than I could have imagined,” he reflected. “Staying at MSU was the best decision for my future.”

His doctoral research focused on autonomous vehicle operations in non-structured environments, primarily for military applications. After seven challenging years, Marc successfully defended his dissertation.

The Journey Ahead

As he prepares to celebrate a tremendous milestone, Marc’s future is looking bright. He will continue his research at the Engineer Research and Development Center of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Vicksburg, staying grounded in the Magnolia State. “They were excited to have me on board,” he mentioned with enthusiasm.

Reflecting on his journey, Marc expresses heartfelt gratitude for the community and support he found along the way. “I’m here because of Mississippi State. All the students genuinely want to help each other. It’s a different atmosphere,” he concluded, showcasing his belief in collaboration and encouragement.