Chancellor’s office briefs board on Rising Scholars expansion; formerly and currently incarcerated students applaud new pathways

The Chancellor’s Office updated the Board of Governors on an accelerated expansion of the Rising Scholars Network (RSN), the system’s initiative to deliver community college courses and pathways to people who are currently or formerly incarcerated.

Deputy Chancellor Rowena Tomaneng and RSN senior advisor Chelsea Esquivel reported year‑over‑year growth across multiple measures: a 64% increase in formerly incarcerated headcount (from the 2020–21 to 2023–24 academic year), a nearly 17% increase in currently incarcerated headcount, growth from 45 to 93 colleges operating RSN programs, and a large increase in county jail programming (five sites to 32). The chancellor’s office also noted a substantial rise in awards conferred to formerly incarcerated students and said work streams are in place to accelerate workforce alignment and support post‑discharge transitions.

Staff described operational improvements under a three‑stream strategy: volunteer/credit for service learning and disaster recovery pathways; integrating Rising Scholars into LA region recovery and workforce needs after recent wildfires; and rapid expansion of skilled workforce pipelines (including building trades) that the chancellor’s office will seek one‑time funding to support. Staff told the board that CDCR (state corrections) has agreed to limit between‑semester transfers of students — a change intended to stabilize class rosters and learning continuity in prison-based programs — and that by 2027 every incarcerated student in state facilities would have laptop access and Wi‑Fi as part of the demonstration project investments.

The board then heard an in‑depth firsthand account from Judah (last name withheld in testimony), a student who took face‑to‑face Laney College courses inside the Alameda County juvenile facility. Judah described how English and communications courses, and a required wellness/designated training, contributed to his academic progress — he earned an associate transfer degree while detained, later transferred into an on‑campus program, and is on track to receive a bachelor’s degree from Cal State East Bay in May. He told the board that face‑to‑face instruction, community engagement, and the opportunity to carry academic work into life after custody were decisive in his rehabilitation and stated he intends to continue into graduate studies and social work.

Professor Roger Chung of Laney College, who teaches in juvenile justice settings, and RSN student advocates described partnership elements — probation, county education offices, universities and Project Rebound programs — that support transitions to college and careers. Staff and presenters stressed the RSN’s role in workforce development and post‑fire recovery in Los Angeles, noting examples in construction and environmental testing where trained fellows and rising scholars can support local rebuilding.

Why it matters: The RSN is a system response to support reentry, reduce recidivism, and connect vocational and academic training to local workforce needs. Board members praised student testimony and the network’s growth while asking how the chancellor’s office will sustain momentum and scale digital/IT infrastructure, counseling, and employer partnerships.

What’s next: The chancellor’s office will issue intent‑to‑award notices to RSN grant applicants for the 2025–28 round and continue to pilot demonstration projects focused on technology, transfer continuity, dual enrollment in county jails, and employer partnerships for wildfire recovery and other workforce demands.