Rising Scholars Pivots from Student Services to Instructional Services
The Fullerton College Rising Scholars program, which supports formerly incarcerated and systems impacted students (FISI), continues to grow with a transition from Extended Opportunity Programs and Services to the ethnic studies department.
The program turned out to be a natural fit into ethnic studies curriculum.
“Having Rising Scholars join our ethnic studies department is a homecoming because our discipline is the only one created to center the voices of those most marginalized and oppressed in our society.” said Dr. Ziza Delgado Noguera.
Since the program’s inception, Project Manager Ieisha Kitchen has collaborated with Associate Professor and Department Chair of Ethnic Studies, Dr. Ziza Delgado Noguera, to establish a prison to education pipeline. Dr. Delgado Noguera’s professional background and service to incarcerated populations also played a significant role in creating a streamlined approach to serving formerly incarcerated students. Kitchen and Dr. Delgado Noguera, along with their team, continuously embed their historical knowledge, care and understanding to uplift students.
“Rising Scholars’ transition to instruction allows the program to incorporate the principles of ethnic studies and social justice, offering formerly incarcerated students a supportive, empowering and transformative educational experience.” said Kitchen. “We hope this shift continues to empower formerly incarcerated students by providing them with the knowledge, skills and interventions needed to thrive.”
Rising Scholars at Fullerton College is a support program that serves formerly incarcerated and system-impacted students. The program offers help with registration, textbooks, mentorship, personal empowerment and more. All together, these services help the college’s formerly incarcerated student population navigate higher education systems and accomplish their academic and personal goals.
The Rising Scholars program is making big strides in its programming and support. It was recently awarded a $7,500 grant from the National Association of Higher Education Systems (NASH) Catalyst Fund on ‘Removing Cost as a Barrier to Higher Education’. This award recognizes the program’s proven positive impact and potential to promote accessibility and affordability to higher education.
The program’s partnership with Project Kinship, an organization that supports and trains those impacted by incarceration, gangs and violence, is also a testament to its successful programming. At the district level, Fullerton College is also working with the Rising Scholars programs in the North Orange Continuing Education (NOCE) and Cypress College campuses. In the future, the program will host a flex day for faculty to boost civic engagement and teach them how they can support formerly incarcerated students in the classroom.
Rising Scholars will soon move from Building 200, Room 225 to Building 100, Room 127.
To learn more about the Fullerton College Rising Scholars program, visit their website. For more information on its services and programming, contact Ieisha Kitchen at ikitchen@fullcoll.edu.
