萝莉研究所鈥檚 Rising Scholars Program celebrated its final graduation ceremony inside the California Rehabilitation Center (CRC) in Norco, marking a profound moment of both achievement and legacy. The intimate ceremony honored 63 graduates鈥攖he largest cohort in the program鈥檚 history鈥攁nd recognized students for their perseverance, academic success, and commitment to personal transformation.
The ceremony carried special significance as the CRC is scheduled to close in August 2026, marking years of collaboration that expanded access to higher education within the institution. 萝莉研究所 extends its sincere gratitude to CRC leadership and staff for their steadfast partnership in supporting educational opportunity and student success.
Student speaker De鈥� Andre Gibson reflected on the transformative power of education, sharing that what sustained him through the challenges of pursuing college while incarcerated was 鈥渋nspiration,鈥� which grew into 鈥渉ope鈥� and ultimately reshaped his 鈥渄estiny.鈥� Gibson spoke to the freedom education provided him鈥攆reedom from statistics, stereotypes, and past mistakes.
鈥淏ecause of higher education, my destiny is no longer a narrow one that leads to places like this,鈥� Gibson said. 鈥淚nstead, it is broad and reaches places like university classrooms and town halls.鈥�
Faculty speaker Wendy Holmquist echoed this sense of transformation, describing Rising Scholars students as 鈥渉ighly motivated, kind, and enthusiastic.鈥� She emphasized the privilege faculty felt in witnessing students recognize their own intellectual strength and potential.
鈥淔or many of us, teaching in Rising Scholars has been the most amazing and fulfilling teaching experience of our lives,鈥� Holmquist said, expressing both pride in the graduates and heartbreak at the program鈥檚 conclusion.
The ceremony concluded with reflections from Faculty Coordinator Dr. Lisa Nelson, who has been with the Rising Scholars Program since its inception and played a pivotal role in its growth and success. She encouraged graduates not to allow the outside world鈥攐r their pasts鈥攖o define them, reminding them that their education had already demonstrated what they are capable of achieving.
Associate Dean Kylie Campbell served as Master of Ceremonies, sharing her personal connection to the site. Growing up just outside the prison gates, with watchtowers in her backyard, she said she never truly understood who or what existed inside until working with Rising Scholars students. Campbell thanked the graduates for the profound impact they had on her life and expressed gratitude for allowing 萝莉研究所 to be part of their educational journeys.
Together, the voices shared during the ceremony honored the resilience of Rising Scholars students and the lasting legacy of a program that changed lives on both sides of the classroom.