Campus & Community

At this stage of my life, the achievement of earning my associate degree has rejuvenated my hopes for a greater quality of life. It has reminded me that I am worthy of believing in myself and can achieve anything—I am capable of having a presence larger than I ever believed before. By participating in a program like MTC that allows me to further my education, I am continuing to strive for freedom from self-degradation.

When I reflect back on the guilt and hopelessness that I felt about being imprisoned, I’m also reminded of how I was not able to find a reason to believe that my life was going to be alright. With a life sentence hanging over my head, what was there to believe in… forever behind bars? When I began college classes, I did so to take advantage of the opportunity to move around outside of my cell, knowing that I would benefit from staying busy and occupying my mind with anything other than emotional trauma. As the time passed and I began to complete classes, I started to believe that there was real value in achieving my degree. Working toward this goal made me feel good about myself, and my quality of life and my disposition changed. 

My will to continue learning brought about changes that have led to action, honesty, and openness towards anything I look forward to doing.

To earn this degree, I had to put aside any insecurities I had about learning and apply myself toward achieving the goal that I had abandoned in the past, over and over again. I committed myself to being open-minded, asking for help when needed, and showing up to receive the guidance of the process.

As I look to the future, there’s a possibility that I may continue on and strive for a bachelor’s degree in Behavioral and Social Sciences and eventually become a counselor.

This degree is more than just a paper that I’ll hang on the wall—it is the first and only educational degree I have received in my life, beyond my GED. It gives me a sense of accomplishment and self-esteem knowing that I have achieved something worthwhile. More importantly, this degree will open doors for me. It will provide me with opportunities to advance in life, furthering either my education or job prospects.

Through the process of studying, I’ve become more disciplined and structured. I was forced to learn how to develop time management skills in order to maximize my study time and complete homework. By learning different subjects in arts and humanities—such as history, philosophy, literature, and world religions—my worldview has expanded. 

I have gained more empathy and understanding and have become more appreciative of human conditions. I realized what it means to be human—a good human.

The first challenge was to overcome myself. When I first began this journey of higher education in 2020, I was overwhelmed by the thought of my workload—the writing, homework, and the amount of reading. I dreaded the prospect of these difficult tasks. To overcome these fears, I spent more time studying and writing in the study hall, accessing support from MTC tutors.

The next challenge was to find the time within my busy schedule to study, and a place to do it. Writing was particularly challenging because I don’t have a table in my prison cell. I was on the top bunk, so writing was decidedly difficult, and my cellmate was always present. The study hall was not always open during the times I wanted to do my work. I overcame these challenges by making time to study whenever possible and working more at home.

My most meaningful experiences at MTC were the interactions I had with faculty members. Throughout the years I have spent at MTC, I was fortunate to meet many talented and inspirational faculty. They are professional and good at what they do. My interactions with them instilled in me a sense of purpose and direction, and they inspired in me the passion for higher education and volunteerism. I am very appreciative of their work and am moved by their selfless acts, because it shows me that there are still good people in the world and that they care. They softened my cynicism toward people and encouraged me to also work, in any small capacity, toward the betterment of humanity.

Now that I have completed my AA degree, my next goal is to obtain a BA degree. Until then, I will continue to participate in the coding program, The Last Mile, and do MTC voluntary work!

To me, this degree means opportunity. It is a chance to show my community and my family that I got this. It has shown me that the best of us believes in the rest of us.

I faced several challenges as I worked to earn my degree, and MTC was always there to help me through it. For example, I never thought I could do math—but the entire MTC math department stepped up to prove me wrong.

This experience taught me failure, helped me understand how I learn, and taught me that persistence pays off.

One of the most memorable experiences in my life was when I understood what the incredible team at MTC was giving me. That particular day, I was reluctant to come to class, as it was cold, windy, and very wet out. I was soggy and miserable walking across the yard, but then I saw the faculty coming down the hill, marching towards the classrooms, equally wet but with no dismay. They were eager to get to class, energized to teach us. At this moment, I realized that they loved to share the gift of knowledge with those of us willing to receive it. I want to thank the volunteers at MTC for this gift that they have given me, and let them know that my gratitude comes from a full heart.

My college experience has been extremely positive. It has changed the way I think about myself, all because a few amazing people took the time to show me how I can learn. In the future, I look forward to attaching my degree to a job application, in front of my conviction.

Earning my AA degree at Mount Tamalpais College is the culmination of everything I’ve ever worked to do. Since I was young, my parents instilled in me that I’d need to work for my college degree and everything beyond it. Working and going to college was an expectation I had for myself.

My college experience has changed me immensely. My goals for the rest of my life are laid out differently now.

I faced some challenges throughout this journey—specifically, learning new approaches to math and understanding new definitions and uses of the English language. My health issues also made learning difficult, but I pushed through, and my goals only grew larger. These challenges pushed me to grow as a student and a person. Some of the most meaningful moments of my time at MTC came from interactions with new people, places, and experiences. I was incredibly impressed by the people who learned alongside me and the connections we built as a community.

Now that I have completed my AA degree, I am looking forward to continuing my education, including my Bachelor’s degree, and after that, a Master’s and even a PhD.

This degree is the culmination of a pivot to my highest self. When I was in junior high school, my mother insisted that I catch a bus clear across Oakland to go to a school an hour away. She would always say, “Den-Den, I just want you to go to a good school.” After she passed away unexpectedly when I was 18, I began to prodigally squander her hopes for me away. But there is a proverb which says, “No matter how far you have gone on a wrong road, turn back.” I’m at a good school now, Mom. Please rest in a proud peace.

I had to come to prison to finally be free! Long before the state took over, I was locked up in a mental prison—the bars made out of arrogance, entitlement, pain, porous boundaries, self-doubt—all forged by my own mind. I couldn’t get out of my own way. 

College has served as an intervention, a cycle-breaker, a call to action to live more authentically and stop bulldozing through accountability. I saw something through and it wasn’t tainted by negativity—at a good school.

The most significant challenge was breaking up with shame. Then finding quiet places to study or just be. I would remind myself to not limit my visions for myself to my current conditions. But there were never any “bad” days where I would fall apart when I returned to my cell, just opportunities to learn a little bit more about myself.

An exceptional memory remains my coming to the ghost town study hall the evening of the Super Bowl in 2023. I sat down with Professor Roeder, initially to discuss my upcoming speech on Othello and the cycle of abuse. But we spun off into broader themes. While the whole world watched a football game, I was mattering to a teacher who mentored me from the curriculum of the heart.

I’m humbled by, as well as grateful to, everyone who complements my season of course correction—both literally and figuratively. I’d like to thank the two Dr. Amys (MTC staff members Amy Jamgochian and Amy Shea) and Professors Smoot, Fisher, Laura, Chad, Tara, Kelly, Ian… there are too many to name. I remember contemplating dropping out of physics class, but it was in asking for help that I confirmed we contain multitudes. 

To paraphrase LeBron, I plan to take my talents to a BA degree! I will keep facilitating self-help groups, TAing, developing, giving more than I take. Congratulations to my fellow graduates. I see you. I see your realized and unrealized potential.

“As artists get better at their craft, their vision of what they are capable of dashes out even further ahead.” —David Brooks

Acquiring this degree while I am incarcerated is a testament to my ongoing journey to make amends for all the harm I have caused. I would be lying if I said that I do not feel proud of this accomplishment—however, it is hard to feel that fully, when I am only doing what I should have done prior to becoming incarcerated.

My experience with Mount Tamalpais College has impacted my outlook and perspective in so many ways. Furthering my education has broadened my understanding beyond what self-help or lived experiences could have done alone.

The challenges that I had to overcome to attain this degree were all personal. It took a lot of personal determination and commitment to see it through. I tend to thrive when my abilities are doubted. Certain semesters, I took three or four courses at once, and received discouraging advice at times from those who thought that it was “too much.” I would simply tell myself, “If I am still breathing, processing thoughts, and I’m able to absorb knowledge, I can do it.” Additionally, I had to be vulnerable and accept help when I needed it. Thankfully, tutors, especially for complex subjects like physics and pre-calculus, were on standby to support me when I needed it.

It is really meaningful to look back and consider how many of my classmates from those early classes accompanied me on this journey. Each semester we would continue to see each other and think to ourselves, Looks like we’re at it again. We leaned on each other for support, and the bonds that were developed gave me a sense of security when tackling tough subjects or assignments.

Now that I have obtained my associate degree, I intend on furthering my education and acquiring my bachelor’s degree as well, specifically in Film, Broadcast, or Cinema. Once I parole, I plan to apply to UCLA or SF State to accomplish this goal.