Rising Scholars Network
Higher Aspirations at Â鶹´«Ã½ is part of the Rising Scholars Network that has been established across the California Community Colleges. Rising Scholars Network is committed to serving incarcerated and formerly incarcerated students by providing degree-granting programs in correctional facilities and on-campus support for students who have experienced the criminal justice system.
The network is rooted in the following guiding principles:
- Program Structure: Build a sustainable student-centered program that relies on student feedback to identify needs and priorities.
- Clarify the Path: Seek new students through outreach to reentry programs, community organizations, transitional housing facilities, probation, parole, juvenile detention centers, court schools, adult schools, and county jails.
- Enter the Path: Walk students through the admissions and enrollment process. Connect students via a warm hand-off with trusted contacts in campus departments including financial aid, admissions and records, and academic and career counseling.
- Stay on the Path: Be proactive about student engagement and support; keep students on track to degree or certificate completion; create structured opportunities for peer connections and mentoring.
- Ensure Learning: Amplify student voices on campus using a resiliency framework to empower students to share their knowledge as experts, leaders, and change agents.