The most significant impact Mount Tamalpais College has had on my education is the broadening of my world view. I attributed this in large part to the wonderful diverse backgrounds of my fellow students and the perspectives they share during each and every class I’ve participated in.

The proudest moment as a student is when I passed chemistry with a B-. I was always telling myself that all I want to do is pass with a C. But my hard work is going to study hall every chance I got. I felt good when I passed Chemistry with a grade higher than a C. I learned that if you apply yourself and stop with the negative talk that I experienced in my elementary classes that I wont never get it or that I’m stupid. I can be a better student if I’m willing to learn

My self esteem has skyrocketed. I now feel that I am in an elite circle of individuals who have been exposed to a higher level of education giving me much more confidence in my abilities to achieve greater levels of excellence. Students at Mount Tamalpais College are receiving and continue to receive the best college education that is available to anyone who is incarcerated in the United States, by far.

If I was to give any student advice about college, I would say look at learning as another component of a healthy lifestyle. It’s not just working out and eating healthy that helps us maintain our wellness, but what we put in our brain.

The greatest challenge I had to overcome was being able to remember all the knowledge for each course so that I could pass the midterms and finals. Due to a brain injury my memory is bad but I learned how to study to pass all my exams. Every student MTC is someone who is trying to better themselves by furthering their education, and by bettering themselves they will be able to better the communities they return to.

“My beloved and wise mother Mercedes Molina is a formidable woman who believes that education is the most valuable thing a human being can pursue—that it allows one to live healthily, decently, comfortably, and to die honorably. She is so passionate about her belief that it feels magical. I believe every single word she says. I don’t like to think too much about what I’m going to do in my future life, but I can say this: whatever I decide to do, I’ll be able to ask logical questions, perceive solutions, weigh consequences, apply past insights to new contexts, and demonstrate self-evaluation in order to make wise decisions.”

“To my fellow graduates—we should all be encouraged to continue with positive programming. In the same way that we have had assistance from generous volunteers here in school, it is incumbent on us to show the way to those who come after us. Our education gives us the tools to make things easier for everyone around us. Let us set about our tasks in the same spirit of generosity which our volunteer advisors demonstrate here in the College Program.”

“The people who helped me succeed were all of the people associated with Patten University. The community brings out the best in a person. I have stepped into a new world where I want to learn so much with so little time to do it. But I have learned so much and from time to time, my confidence on subjects comes through and I feel great—I feel empowered.”

“I’d like to leave behind a “you-can-do-it” legacy, to be inspirational and show others what is possible. I dropped out of school around the 7th grade and got my GED in prison. After earning my degree, I no longer think of life as if I’m on the outside looking in. It’s put me on equal footing. It allows for better understanding and compassion in all of my interactions with people and in my personal relationships.”

“I never in a million years thought that I would be able to seek higher learning as well as attend college-level classes while incarcerated. This was both exciting and challenging because I never had the opportunity to do so prior to my incarceration. Now, as I prepare to graduate, I hope to leave a legacy for all new students demonstrating that hard work and perseverance is crucial in anything you set out to achieve in life. Maybe the work that I have done and continue to do will inspire others to do the same. I hope someone notices me and thinks, “If he can do it, I can do it.” I would then say to that person, ‘You can do more.’”