Mission
The MiraCosta College Transitions Scholars Program provides support for people impacted by incarceration. Students are given access to financial, academic, and psychological resources to achieve personal and educational goals.
Resources for the program
- Hands on help in the application process
- Assistance applying for Financial Aid
- Academic Counseling for course selction and education plans
- Professional growth workshops
- Peer mentors to assist navigating academia and life challenges
- Weekly "Check-In" events
- Assistance in applying for scholarships
- Personal referrals to student services offered on campus and in the wider community
- Tours to university campuses for transfer
- Field trips to sites and events offering professional development and networking
- Leadership opportunities
The purpose of Transitions Scholars is to support formerly incarcerated students expand their life opportunities. In order to accomplish this, we seek to build community and your participation is an essential part of this process.
Students are expected to demonstrate a sustained drive to succeed, to be responsive to and maintain consistent communication with Transitions Scholars staff, and to participate in program functions, meetings, and workshops as fully as they are capable.
The following program requirements are designed to enhance the capacity of Transitions Scholars members to acclimate to the college, succeed academically, and develop the academic, leadership, and social/professional skills necessary to succeed at MiraCosta College and achieve their educational goals.
Students agree to adhere to the Core Principles of the program:
- Respect. All college employees, students, and visitors shall be treated with dignity and respect. Students are expected to be good citizens and to engage in responsible behaviors that reflect well upon the college. Be civil to one another and to others in the campus community and contribute positively to student and college life.
- Accountability. Follow through on your commitments and hold yourself and others accountable to the Transitions Scholars community and core principles.
- Responsiveness. Be responsive to others. Be attentive and timely with communication. Routinely check and respond to your email and other communications.
- Responsibility. Always act so as to maximize opportunity and well-being not only for yourself but for those who will follow in your footsteps. Fulfill your obligations and duties with integrity and reliability.
- Self-advocacy. Advocate for yourself and ask for the support you need to succeed, even if you don’t exactly know what that support should look like. Don’t struggle in silence or let excessive pride prevent you from asking for help.
- Self-reflection. Be receptive to constructive feedback from others; self-reflection is an essential ingredient of higher learning and personal growth.
- Collective empowerment. Build up the leadership potential of those around you.
- Zero Tolerance Policy. Zero tolerance for threats or acts of aggression and/or violence against members of the campus community.
Students agree to schedule a meeting with the Transitions Scholars Program Student Service Specialist or Student Success Liaison at the beginning of each semester. These meetings serve as opportunities to explore members’ needs, connect members to relevant forms of support, and troubleshoot any existing or potential concerns.
Students agree to seek additional academic support from Transitions Scholars staff if they are struggling to meet classroom obligations
Students agree to seek support from Transitions Scholars staff if their semester grade point average drops below a 2.50.
Students agree to attend a minimum of 4 events each semester hosted by the Transitions Scholars Program. These can include workshops, university visits, conferences, and more. A schedule of events will be provided to all students at the beginning of each semester.
Donation information
The Transitions Fund supports enriching activities that foster a sense of community among our formerly incarcerated students. These students face the challenges of pursuing an education on top of the challenges of reentering into public life, and they need our support.
Make a donation to the Transitions Fund. Under "I want to support", please make sure to select "Transitions Fund".
Contact information
For questions regarding the Transitions Scholars Program:
transitions@miracosta.edu
442.262.2185
Dr. Thao Ha - Coordinator, Transitions Scholars Program
