Rising Scholar Program at Santa Barbara City College: Empowering Formerly Incarcerated Students to Pursue Higher Education

Santa Barbara City College's Rising Scholars Program offers hope and opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals seeking higher education. The program, previously known as the Transitions Program, provides comprehensive support to help students overcome barriers and achieve academic success.

Inmates who pursue educational programs are 43 percent less likely to recidivate, highlighting the program's potential impact on reducing reoffending rates. Rising Scholars offers classes both inside correctional facilities and after release, creating a seamless transition for participants.

The Rising Scholars Program at Santa Barbara City College is part of a network of 78 similar programs across California. These initiatives offer various forms of assistance, including expungement services, school supplies, counseling, and housing support. The program's mentorship component proves particularly valuable, allowing participants to draw strength from shared experiences and support one another through challenges.

Rising Scholars Program at Santa Barbara City College

The Rising Scholars Program at Santa Barbara City College offers comprehensive support to formerly incarcerated students. Launched in 2008, it provides academic and financial resources to help these students succeed in higher education.

Rising Scholars aims to reduce recidivism through education. The program offers classes to inmates while incarcerated and continues support after their release.

Key features of the Rising Scholars Program include:

• Expungement assistance

• School supplies provision

• Counseling services

• Housing support

The program serves as a bridge between incarceration and higher education. It creates a supportive community for students with shared experiences.

Rising Scholars extends beyond SBCC. It is part of a network of 78 similar programs across California, promoting educational access for formerly incarcerated individuals.

Mentorship plays a crucial role in the program's success. Students can relate to and support each other through shared challenges like addiction, incarceration, or homelessness.

The program's impact is significant. It helps students transition from jail to college, achieve their educational goals, and ultimately find employment. This support contributes to lower recidivism rates among participants.

Participants' Transformative Experiences

The Rising Scholars program has profoundly impacted participants' lives, helping them transition from incarceration to academic success. Personal growth and educational achievements stand out as key elements of their transformative journeys.

Michael Osio's Personal Journey

Michael Osio's story exemplifies the transformative power of the Rising Scholars program. Losing custody of his son during incarceration became a turning point, motivating him to seek change. Through the Rising Scholars program at Santa Barbara City College, Osio found a supportive community and a path forward.

The program provided Osio with the resources and encouragement needed to pursue higher education. He successfully transferred from SBCC to UC Santa Barbara, where he now studies Sociology. This academic progression demonstrates the program's effectiveness in helping formerly incarcerated individuals rebuild their lives.

From Incarceration to Academic Achievement

The Rising Scholars program offers a range of services to support participants' academic journeys. These include classes for inmates both during and after incarceration, expungement assistance, school supplies, counseling, and housing support. This comprehensive approach addresses the multifaceted challenges faced by formerly incarcerated students.

Noel Gomez, the Rising Scholars Program Coordinator, highlights the program's impact. He notes the satisfaction of seeing former inmates reach their educational goals and secure employment. The mentorship aspect proves crucial, with participants like Osio emphasizing the value of shared experiences in helping newcomers navigate academic challenges.

Osio's future plans include pursuing a master's degree through UCSB's Underground Scholars program and becoming a licensed family therapist. His journey illustrates the long-term positive outcomes facilitated by the Rising Scholars program.

Program Structure and Offerings

The Rising Scholars program at Santa Barbara City College offers comprehensive support for formerly incarcerated individuals pursuing higher education. It provides educational opportunities during incarceration and extensive services after release.

Educational Opportunities during Incarceration

Rising Scholars offers classes to inmates while they are still serving their sentences. These courses help prepare individuals for academic success upon release. The program partners with local correctional facilities to deliver college-level instruction inside jails and prisons.

Courses cover a range of subjects, laying the groundwork for future studies. Inmates can earn credits that transfer to SBCC and other institutions. This head start allows participants to build confidence and momentum in their educational journey.

Support and Services after Release

Upon release, Rising Scholars provides a wide array of services to support students' transition to college life. The program offers:

• Academic counseling and planning

• Assistance with enrollment and financial aid

• School supplies and resources

• Mentorship from peer advisors

• Help with expungement processes

• Referrals for housing and basic needs

Students benefit from a supportive community of peers and staff who understand their unique challenges. The program creates a welcoming environment where students can focus on their studies and personal growth.

Rising Scholars also connects participants with career services and transfer support, helping them plan for long-term success beyond SBCC.

Educational and Social Impact

The Rising Scholars program at Santa Barbara City College demonstrates significant positive outcomes for formerly incarcerated individuals. Its comprehensive support system empowers students to achieve academic success and reduces their likelihood of reoffending.

Reduction in Recidivism

The Rising Scholars program plays a crucial role in reducing recidivism rates among its participants. Data from Rand.org shows that inmates who pursue educational programs are 43 percent less likely to recidivate. This statistic underscores the program's effectiveness in breaking the cycle of incarceration.

By offering classes to inmates both during and after incarceration, Rising Scholars provides a continuous pathway to education and personal growth. This sustained support helps participants develop new skills, gain confidence, and envision alternative life paths.

Achieving Educational Milestones

Participants in the Rising Scholars program often reach significant educational milestones. The program's comprehensive support includes assistance with expungement, school supplies, counseling, and housing. These resources enable students to focus on their studies and overcome barriers to academic success.

Many students, like Michael Osio, progress from SBCC to four-year institutions. Osio transferred to UC Santa Barbara to pursue a sociology degree and plans to continue to a master's program. This trajectory demonstrates the program's ability to foster long-term educational achievements.

The mentorship aspect of Rising Scholars is particularly impactful. Participants can relate to and support one another through shared experiences, creating a strong community that enhances academic performance and personal growth.

Comprehensive Support System

The Rising Scholars program offers a wide range of assistance to help formerly incarcerated students succeed. This includes legal aid, educational resources, and housing support to address key challenges faced by program participants.

Expungement and Legal Assistance

Rising Scholars provides crucial legal support to help students clear their records. The program assists with expungement processes, enabling participants to remove certain convictions from their records. This can open up more employment and housing opportunities.

Legal workshops and one-on-one consultations are offered to guide students through complex legal procedures. Participants receive help with paperwork, court filings, and understanding their rights. The program also connects students with pro bono attorneys when needed for more complex cases.

Provision of School Supplies and Counseling

Rising Scholars ensures students have the tools they need to succeed academically. The program provides essential school supplies such as textbooks, laptops, and other materials that may be financially out of reach for many participants.

Counseling services are a cornerstone of the program. Academic advisors help students navigate course selection, degree planning, and transfer processes. Personal counseling is also available to address emotional and psychological challenges that may arise during the transition to college life.

Career counseling is provided to help students explore job opportunities and prepare for future employment. This includes resume writing workshops, interview practice, and job search assistance.

Housing Support

Stable housing is crucial for academic success. Rising Scholars recognizes this and offers various forms of housing assistance. The program helps students find affordable housing options near campus, including partnerships with local landlords and housing organizations.

Emergency housing funds are available for students facing immediate housing crises. The program also provides guidance on navigating rental applications and understanding tenant rights. For students struggling with housing costs, Rising Scholars may offer temporary rent assistance or help in applying for housing subsidies.

Long-term housing solutions are explored through partnerships with community organizations and transitional housing programs. This comprehensive approach ensures students have a stable living environment conducive to their studies.

Mentorship and Community Building

The Rising Scholars program emphasizes peer support and fostering a sense of belonging. These elements play a crucial role in helping formerly incarcerated individuals succeed in their academic pursuits.

Role of Peer Mentorship

Peer mentorship is a cornerstone of the Rising Scholars program. Experienced students provide guidance to newcomers, sharing insights from their own journeys. This support helps mentees navigate challenges unique to their situations.

Mentors offer practical advice on academic matters, time management, and accessing resources. Their shared experiences create a strong foundation of trust and understanding.

The program recognizes that mentors also benefit from the relationship. By helping others, they reinforce their own commitment to personal growth and education.

Building a Supportive Community

The Rising Scholars program creates an inclusive environment where students feel welcomed and understood. This sense of community is vital for retention and success.

Regular meetings and events allow students to connect and share their experiences. These gatherings foster a support network that extends beyond the classroom.

The program encourages involvement in campus activities, helping students integrate into the broader college community. This integration builds confidence and expands social networks.

Faculty and staff also play key roles in community building. Their commitment to student success reinforces the supportive atmosphere of the program.