A DVC Community for Justice-Impacted Students
Scholars for Justice is a supportive community that helps justice-impacted students navigate college, build a sense of belonging, and achieve their educational and career goals. Whether you are exploring college for the first time, preparing for release, navigating reentry, or already attending DVC, Scholars for Justice is here to help you identify your next steps and connect with the support you need.
Who is Eligible for Scholars for Justice?
- Formerly incarcerated individuals
- Currently incarcerated individuals
- Individuals on probation or parole
- Reentry participants
- Youth transitioning from juvenile facilities
How Scholars for Justice Can Help
Scholars for Justice can help you understand your options, identify your next steps, and connect with people and resources that can support your success. Services include:
- College transition support
- Financial aid guidance
- Academic and career pathway exploration
- Enrollment assistance & priority registration for eligible students
- Academic counseling referrals, including on-campus & in-custody referrals
- Connections and referrals to community & campus support services
For Community & Referral Partners
Scholars for Justice welcomes partnerships and referrals from correctional and juvenile facilities, adult education programs, probation and parole partners, reentry organizations, community-based organizations, and other agencies serving justice-impacted individuals.
Community partners can refer current or prospective DVC students to Scholars for Justice for individualized support. Our team can help students explore educational opportunities, navigate the enrollment and transition process, and connect with appropriate campus and community resources.
To refer a student:
- Talk with the student about Scholars for Justice and ask whether they would like to be connected.
- With the student’s consent, help them contact the program coordinator.
- Share only the information needed to make the connection.
- Encourage the student to ask about enrollment assistance, financial aid guidance, counseling referrals, academic and career pathways, and campus or community resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Scholars for Justice is Diablo Valley College’s student-focused program for justice-impacted students and is funded by the Rising Scholars Network. The program grew out of Adult Education efforts and the leadership of formerly incarcerated students who organized to reclaim their identities as scholars and to advocate for greater support on campus.
Rooted in belonging, empowerment, and second chances, Scholars for Justice offers personalized support, resources, advocacy, and connections to help students navigate college, overcome barriers, and achieve their educational and career goals.
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The Rising Scholars Network is an initiative within California Community Colleges dedicated to supporting justice-impacted students. It partners with campuses across the state to ensure these students have the resources and community they need to succeed.
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Scholars for Justice supports current and prospective DVC students who are formerly or currently incarcerated, participating in reentry, transitioning from juvenile facilities, on probation or parole, or otherwise navigating the transition from the justice system to higher education.
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Scholars for Justice provides enrollment and transition support, financial aid assistance, priority registration for eligible students, academic and career-pathway support, referrals to campus services and community resources, and academic counseling both on campus and in custody.
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Yes. Community organizations, correctional and juvenile facilities, adult education programs, probation and parole partners, reentry organizations, and other referral partners are encouraged to refer students to Scholars for Justice. Students can be referred before they apply to DVC, during the enrollment process, or after they have started taking classes.