Rising Scholars CIW & CIM
In addition to its three campuses, Chaffey College also delivers high-quality education to students through its Rising Scholars program (formerly Turning Point) at the California Institution for Women (CIW) and the California Institution for Men in Chino (CIM). The Rising Scholars program promotes Chaffey’s vision in that it transforms the lives of currently incarcerated students through education.
Rising Scholars began in 2004 with 26 students, having the goal of helping the women earn an associate’s degree within three years. From 2015-2019, Chaffey College awarded 145 degrees and certificates to students at CIM and CIW.
Rising Scholars has served nearly 1,000 students, with students passing 94 percent of courses they have attempted. Some of our Rising Scholar students have continued with Chaffey College post release, at other community colleges, or have gone onto four year universities, such as UC Berkeley and San Diego State University."
Rising Scholar students receive textbook and tuition support through Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS). They have access to Counseling, Disability Programs and Services (DPS) and Success Center support through inmates trained as tutors. Graduates have gone on to serve as Success Center tutors and have seen success in other jobs as well.
Recent Events
Chaffey Celebrates CIW Commencement on December 6
Annamaria Gana missed her son’s high school and college graduations while serving
a life sentence in prison. But that didn’t stop her from pursuing a college education
for herself.
While telling her story to family, friends and Chaffey College employees during her
own commencement ceremony December 6, she feared that her son would miss her graduation
too. Read more.
Chaffey Celebrates Graduates at CIM on May 10
James Menefield stood inside the gymnasium of the California Institution for Men before a gathering of fellow students, faculty and staff in graduation regalia.
Though his experience as a Chaffey College student has been unique in prison, he said the professors and staff never made him feel different.
“You never treated us like prisoners,” he said. “Instead, you treated us like students and held us to a higher standard.”
Menefield and 20 other students in CIM’s third graduating class celebrated completion of academic programs on Friday May 10, earning 30 associate’s degrees and 47 certificates. Two of the students who had been paroled were expected to walk in Chaffey’s 107th commencement ceremony at Toyota Arena the following week. Read more.
Contact
Stephen Lux
Professor, Criminal Justice
Rising Scholar Coordinator
Email: stephen.lux@chaffey.edu
Admissions and Records
Rhonda Frank
Educational Services Generalist
Rising Scholar Liaison
Email: rhonda.frank@chaffey.edu
Financial Aid
Michelle Escalante
Financial Aid Advisor
Michelle.Escalante@chaffey.edu
