SDSU’s inaugural cohort graduates from the Valuing Incarcerated Scholars through Academia Program

This spring, a group of 27 students graduated from San Diego State University while still incarcerated. The students are part of SDSU’s Valuing Incarcerated Scholars through Academia (VISTA) program. 

The university celebrated these students’ hard work and dedication, reaffirming the transformative power of education in fostering second chances and changing lives on May 15 at Centinela State Prison in Imperial, CA. 

SDSU’s Bachelor of Arts program at the all-male Centinela State Prison currently offers two-year completion degrees to incarcerated individuals who have earned their associate degree and meet the transfer requirements for admission to SDSU. Founded by Annie Buckley, a professor of visual studies at SDSU, and director of the Institute for the Arts, Humanities, and Social Justice, the program includes three areas of study: Communication, Journalism and Media Studies, and Art and Design.

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The VISTA program, started in August 2023, empowers incarcerated individuals to pursue higher education, offering access to rigorous academic courses, mentorship, and support that challenges traditional barriers to education. By focusing on intellectual growth, collaboration, and self-empowerment, the program provides participants with the tools to rebuild their lives and become positive, productive members of their communities.

“What we can achieve in the future should not be defined by our worst moments,” said SDSU President Adela de la Torre in her address to the inaugural group of graduates. “Completing your degree is evidence of your tenacity and hard work, your care and hope for the future, and your potential – and those are the qualities that truly define you.”

After remarks from university leadership, and student speakers, the graduates — wearing caps and gowns — waited for their name to be called before each walking across the commencement stage.

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“Obtaining my bachelor’s degree means that I will have a new opportunity in life once I earn my freedom. It also allows me to set forth an example to my children, that in spite of any circumstances that life finds you in, if you put in the hard work and change your perspective you will persevere,” said Ruben Vargas, one of the more than two-dozen incarcerated students who participated in the inaugural ceremonies. “Earning my bachelor’s degree renewed my confidence, my sense of self and transformed my outlook on life. That transformation enabled me to visualize endless possibilities for my future going forward.”

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) data points to significantly lower recidivism rates for those who successfully complete college programming.

"CDCR is proud of San Diego State's VISTA students and honored to partner with San Diego State University. Partnerships like this recognize the immense potential that incarcerated students have, changing lives and providing opportunities that transform the students, their communities, and the state," said CDCR Secretary Jeff Macomber.

In spring 2024, SDSU ​received a $1 million grant from the Mellon Foundation to expand its VISTA program at Centinela State Prison. As a result of the grant, SDSU faculty and fellows are working on assessments of student learning, the development of specialized workshops in response, plans to introduce a humanities degree in the future, and the creation of a toolkit to help other institutions implement similar prison education programs. That work is now well underway. 

“Our dedicated team of faculty and fellows have a powerful combination of lived and academic experience. We look forward to welcoming our third student cohort this fall,” said Buckley. “We are grateful to be part of this national movement to expand higher education, and are extremely proud to see our first graduates become SDSU alumni.”