ELAC Fall 2022 Rising Scholars Town Hall: Transforming Lives Through Healing, Education, and Social Justice
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 26, 2022
News Media Contact:
Kevin Jimenez, ELAC College Public Relations Manager, 323-265-8807, @email
MONTEREY PARK, CA – On October 26, 2022, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. East Los Angeles College (ELAC) hosted its first Social Justice & Racial Equity Town Hall of the fall 2022 semester. This town hall was titled Rising Scholars: Transforming Lives Through Healing, Education, and Social Justice and featured a panel discussion with current and former students who have experienced the carceral system and benefitted from the impactful Rising Scholars program.
The ELAC Education Justice Rising Scholars program provides educational access and opportunity to currently and formerly incarcerated students who have been negatively affected by the carceral system. Students shared their experiences, including the significant barriers they faced and how they achieved academic and career success.
The event will be emceed by Letty Peniche, co-host of Power 106’s Morning Show, and facilitated by Javier Rodriguez who is the Rising Scholars Regional Coordinator.
“Our Education Justice Rising Scholars program is a vital resource to our students who have experienced the carceral system. The complete wrap around services that the scholars receive ensure that they can focus on their academic and career goals,” said ELAC President Alberto J. Roman.
The day kicked off with a ribbon cutting and tour of the new Rising Scholars Center in building E1 room 104. ELAC President Alberto J. Román, Los Angeles County 4th District Supervisor Janice Hahn along with ELAC Rising Scholar Coordinators Javier Rodriguez and Elizandro Umana, and Rising Scholar students gave a few remarks on the importance of this center.
“I knew I couldn't afford college on my own but with rising scholars help I'm able to reach my higher learning goal of expanding my mind and making my world smaller. The knowledge I gain has the power to change my life in so many wondrous ways and has already made a positive impact on me by helping me believe in myself and learning abilities,” said ELAC Rising Scholar Edward Delatorre.
“The Rising Scholars program has impacted my life and my academic goal by simply knowing I have endless support and that I'm not alone,” said ELAC Rising Scholar Isaac Gonzales.
About Education Justice Rising Scholars Program
ELAC Education Justice Scholars Program is committed to helping individuals in the community with successful transition into academia after incarceration by providing reintegration services and a pathway to higher education through counseling, career guidance, and mentorship.
About East Los Angeles College
ELAC is the largest of nine two-year community colleges within the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD), www.laccd.edu. More information about ELAC is available online at http://www.elac.edu/. Follow ELAC on social media, Facebook @Eastlacollege, Twitter @Eastlacollege, and Instagram @ELACHuskies.