Rising Scholars

From the Carceral System to the College of the Desert 

 

Our Mission

College of the Desert Rising Scholars is an academic support program for incarcerated, formerly incarcerated, and system-impacted students. In addition, it creates a pathway for incarcerated, formerly incarcerated, system-impacted individuals into higher education and assist in transferring to a four-year institution.

We directly challenge the stigmas associated with our community. The program cultivates a sense of belonging and a healthy community for carceral-impacted students to thrive at College of the Desert.

While we prioritize our services for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated students. We are aware of the impact the carceral system has on family, friends, and the community. As such, we fully support and welcome system-impacted members. We define system impacted as those with arrests/convictions but no incarceration and those who have been directly affected by a loved one being incarcerated. Indeed, our partners, parents, children, and/or siblings often face the most significant disadvantages behind the absence of incarnated loved ones. Therefore, this categorically merits the designation of system-impacted.

 

Staff