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"Higher education is more than a privilege for the few — it is a journey of self-discovery and reflection about one’s self..."

Breaking Barriers: Incarcerated Students Earn Degrees

MADERA COUNTY —  In a moment of achievement and redemption, 23 incarcerated men at Valley State Prison donned caps and gowns and proudly crossed a stage.  In turn, all earning a bachelor’s degree from Fresno State.  This graduation marks the first of its kind for incarcerated students in California’s Central Valley.  Therefore, it symbolizes a path of new opportunities and a fresh start through education.

Celebrating Degrees of Change

Graduates celebrating after graduation

Valley State Prison in Chowchilla hosted a graduation ceremony for 23 men who earned their bachelor’s degrees in social sciences from Fresno State while incarcerated. (Photos by Cary Edmondson)

Firstly, Valley State Prison hosted a landmark graduation ceremony.  The event celebrated the first-ever bachelor’s degrees awarded to incarcerated individuals through Fresno State’s Degrees of Change program.  In a gym decorated with Fresno State’s bulldog red and blue, 23 men crossed the stage to receive their bachelor’s degrees in social sciences.  For both the graduates and the program, the moment was transformative.

Since its inception, Degrees of Change (a collaboration between Fresno State and Valley State Prison) has aimed to support reentry and reduce repeat offenses among incarcerated individuals.  According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, 95% of the state prisoners will eventually return to their communities, with nearly 80% doing so under parole supervision.  Therefore, programs like Degrees of Change offer meaningful pathways for success after release.

Graduate Voices: Overcoming Obstacles

Additionally, during the ceremony, graduate Oscar Martinez delivered a powerful speech that captured the challenges of reaching this milestone.  Through a poem, he shared his struggles with self-doubt and negative beliefs, which resonated deeply with his classmates.

“Carrying my own backpack filled with those lies that were told to me,
Self-fulfilling prophecies,
Education meant nothing to me!
I am too stupid is all I ever learned,
Especially when I couldn’t read,
And the consistent, I’ll never succeed,” he recited.

His words highlighted the resilience and growth required to overcome such obstacles.

Recognizing Key Contributors

Image of Emma Hughes, standing in front of book shelf.

Fresno State professor and Degrees of Change coordinator Dr. Emma Hughes

Meanwhile, Dr. Emma Hughes received heartfelt appreciation for her role in bringing higher education to Valley State Prison.  Each week, Hughes and her colleagues would travel to the prison, working under strict conditions that limit access to technology and online resources.  Because of these limitations, students use only a closed intranet system, learning without typical online tools.  Hughes’s commitment under these challenging circumstances has fueled her students’ achievements.   Notably, many graduates credit her guidance as pivotal to their success.

Moreover, graduate Jose Ornelas expressed deep gratitude for Hughes’s support during his speech. He described her as “an angel sent to help all of my fellow classmates, as well as myself.”  Her compassion and dedication made their success possible for him and others.

Impact of Dedicated Faculty & Leadership

Furthermore, Dr. Jesse Scaccia, an assistant professor of media, communication, and journalism, was also acknowledged for his impactful teaching.  Known for his approachable style, Scaccia helped his students share their stories through writing.

Ornelas also thanked Scaccia, saying, “Dr. Scaccia, a person I owe so much — you inspire me, Dr. J.  You have given me the confidence to be a writer.”

Similarly, Fresno State President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval emphasized the Degrees of Change program’s importance in his address.

“Higher education is more than a privilege for the few — it is a journey of self-discovery and reflection about one’s self, one’s responsibility to others, and one’s ability to contribute, when given a second chance, to society’s betterment; it is a powerful force for all, regardless of circumstance.”

His words highlighted Fresno State’s commitment to extending education opportunities to incarcerated individuals, stressing the program’s potential for lasting impact.

A Vision for Change

Lastly, originally founded in 1995 as a re-entry facility for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), Valley State Prison now provides vocational and education training to support positive engagement.  The Degrees of Change program equips incarcerated individuals with valuable skills, enabling them to contribute constructively to their communities and mentor others.

Finally, as the ceremony concluded, Martinez left the audience with a final powerful stanza:

“As we graduate now and see the smiles,
Do not forget the things we thought we could endure.
And when we step outside,
Look up and look around,
Everyone’s potential is sky bound.”

His words captured the transformative spirit of the day and underscored the shared commitment to growth and possibility.

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Degrees of Change: Opening doors to second chances and personal growth through education behind bars

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