Rehan Staton Overcomes Odds, Graduates from Harvard Law School After Working as Waste Collector

Staton's determination, however, propelled him forward. Faced with rejections from several colleges in the United States, he eventually secured a recommendation from a professor at Bowie State University, leading to his transfer to the University of Maryland, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in History in 2018.

Jan 19, 2024 - 18:34 Updated: Jan 20, 2024 - 17:45

Rehan Staton Overcomes Odds, Graduates from Harvard Law School After Working as Waste Collector

Rehan Staton, a tenacious 24-year-old individual, has achieved a significant milestone by earning a Doctor of Law degree from the esteemed Harvard Law School in the United States. His journey to this accomplishment was marked by resilience and determination, as he worked as a waste collector to fund his education.

In the early stages of his academic pursuit, Staton faced financial challenges and took on the demanding job of collecting waste to support his Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Maryland. Recalling those challenging times, Staton shared that he would wake up in the early morning hours to fulfill his duties as a sanitation worker before attending classes.

The job, while financially necessary, presented its own set of hardships. Staton often found himself with limited time for personal care, sitting inconspicuously in the back of lecture halls to avoid drawing attention from classmates. His father and brother played a crucial role in supporting his education, making numerous sacrifices along the way.

Staton's determination, however, propelled him forward. Faced with rejections from several colleges in the United States, he eventually secured a recommendation from a professor at Bowie State University, leading to his transfer to the University of Maryland, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in History in 2018.

Following his undergraduate studies, Staton took an analyst position at a consulting firm in Washington D.C. Yet, his journey didn't stop there. Despite facing initial rejections, he applied to multiple law schools and received acceptances from prestigious institutions, including Harvard Law School, Columbia University, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Southern California, and Pepperdine University.

Choosing Harvard Law School for his Doctor of Law (JD) certification, Staton's story garnered significant attention, leading to a fundraiser that raised over $46,000 to support his education. According to his LinkedIn profile, he is set to graduate as a Doctor of Law in June 2023.

"When I look back at my experiences, I like to think that I made the best of the worst situation. Each tragedy I faced forced me out of my comfort zone, but I was fortunate enough to have a support system to help me thrive in those predicaments," Staton reflected.