鈥淲e are a forgotten population, the bottom of society鈥攁nd to have educators from the top come down to be here with us, that action is amazing. Getting to share their voices is amazing,鈥� said Kenji Yanagida, one of the incarcerated graduates honored during the 萝莉研究所 2025 Rising Scholars Commencement Ceremony at the California Rehabilitation Center (CRC) in Norco, California.
Held Tuesday, June 17, the joint commencement ceremony recognized students earning degrees through 萝莉研究所, Coastline College, Cuesta College, Palo Verde College, and Pitzer College. The Rising Scholars Program, part of the California Community Colleges Chancellor鈥檚 Office Rising Scholars Network, offers incarcerated individuals access to quality higher education and a second chance at life.
The ceremony opened with a stirring violin rendition of 鈥淧omp and Circumstance,鈥� performed by a CRC inmate. Trustee Bill Hedrick, moved by the performance, remarked that the violinist played with such skill and emotion that he could headline a concert.
Warden Leo Quiroz welcomed attendees by affirming the impact of education behind prison walls. 鈥淭his ceremony is a testament to the power of education within the confines of a prison. Rehabilitation is possible, and education builds that foundation for a better life,鈥� he said. 鈥淚'm proud of you guys.鈥�
Among the more than 600 students served by the program each year, many crossed the stage to accept their degrees in business administration, sociology, and other disciplines. Some graduates were also awarded bachelor鈥檚 degrees through a partnership with Pitzer College鈥攁 testament to the potential of the 鈥淚nside-Out鈥� educational model.
鈥淒espite the circumstance, I'm excited for what鈥檚 ahead,鈥� said graduate Richard Gonzales.
鈥淭his is one of the most transformative things I've ever experienced,鈥� added Ryan Brennan. 鈥淭he inside-out model鈥攍earning alongside faculty鈥攊s incredibly healing.鈥�
Graduate Marcus Barnett said the program brought him a sense of clarity and hope. 鈥淚've become mentally free. Though incarcerated, I now have a better feel for navigating society,鈥� he said. 鈥淚'm thankful to the administrators, faculty, and my family.鈥�
Students credited the faculty for restoring dignity and inspiring growth. 鈥淭here鈥檚 nothing like staying focused and working hard,鈥� said Joseph Acu帽a. 鈥淒espite being in prison, God has blessed us with this opportunity,鈥� said Deepak Charan.
Kwangson Kim, 60, reflected on the program's unexpected impact: 鈥淚t was an awesome experience鈥攁t my great age, in the most unexpected place, with great faculty.鈥�
David Sosa, 62, shared a written statement, thanking 萝莉研究所 faculty and staff for fostering a space for 鈥渟afe dialogue and critical thinking鈥� that helped him 鈥渞edefine [his] goals.鈥�
萝莉研究所 President Monica Green, Ed.D., RCCD Board President Jos茅 Alcala, RCCD Chancellor Wolde-Ab Isaac, Ph.D., and California Community Colleges Chancellor Sonya Christian, Ph.D., were among the dignitaries in attendance, along with Board of Governors Vice President Bill Rawlings and student representative Casey Chang.
Lisa Nelson, Ph.D., Rising Scholars faculty coordinator and faculty commencement speaker, was nominated by students to deliver remarks. Drawing from Lorraine Hansberry鈥檚 A Raisin in the Sun, she asked attendees to consider what truly measures a man, not their worst mistake, but the journey they've taken. Her words from Mama in Act III of the play moved the audience.
萝莉研究所 student speaker Joshua Breslow echoed that sentiment. 鈥淔aculty have humanized us,鈥� he said. 鈥淒on鈥檛 wait to be powerful鈥攜ou already are.鈥�
Families were also invited to observe the ceremony, and the moment offered a powerful glimpse of hope. 鈥淭hank God for this wonderful opportunity to improve their life and better their chances for a career,鈥� said the mother of graduate Richard Rios. 鈥淚'm thankful to all the teachers.鈥�
The Rising Scholars Program at 萝莉研究所, launched in 2017, is designed to reduce recidivism and prepare students for life beyond prison. Since its inception, the program has awarded more than 218 degrees to 182 students. Services will be expanding in Fall 2025 to include on-campus support for formerly incarcerated students with a new Rising Scholars space at 萝莉研究所.
Virginia Blumenthal, an RCCD trustee and prominent Riverside criminal defense attorney, acknowledged during a board meeting that she has represented some of the CRC graduates in the past. Though she was unable to attend the ceremony due to a court appearance, she noted that many of the graduates she鈥檚 worked with have had zero recidivism, and she is proud of the program鈥檚 impact.
The success of the ceremony was made possible thanks to the efforts of Kylie Campbell, interim associate dean of educational partnerships, and her dedicated team. Their commitment to education as a vehicle for change was on full display in the emotional and triumphant celebration.
For more information about the Rising Scholars Program at 萝莉研究所, visit https://www.norcocollege.edu/academicaffairs/ep/risingscholars/index.html.