Rising Scholars

What is Rising Scholars? 

In 2008, Santa Barbara City College launched the on-campus Rising Scholars Program (formerly known as the Transitions Program):  a comprehensive six-week summer bridge program to provide formerly incarcerated students with the opportunity to enroll and receive the academic and financial resources necessary to succeed at SBCC. Through College Success and Academic/Career Planning classes, formerly incarcerated students are assisted in clarifying their educational objectives and developing the academic and social skills necessary to achieve them.  

In 2015, The Rising Scholars Program expanded to the Santa Barbara County Jail with the SBCC Jail Education Program- creating a pathway from the Santa Barbara County Jail to the SBCC campus. Upon release, formerly incarcerated students are assisted in enrolling in on-campus coursework toward the pursuit of an associate degree, vocational or certificate program or transfer to a four-year university.

In 2019, SBCC was one of 44 community colleges awarded grants to establish or support existing programs and resources serving currently and formerly incarcerated students. The SBCC Rising Scholars Program aims to accomplish the following outcomes:

• Increase opportunity and access for currently and formerly incarcerated students to higher education
• Increase course retention rates among currently and formerly incarcerated students
• Support strong academic performance by program participants
• Promote informed and appropriate program pathway goals and objectives to help
  students attain high-quality, post-secondary credentials

How to apply?

1. Apply to SBCC by completing the Admissions Application: www.sbcc.edu/apply
2. Complete the Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
3. Complete the 2024-2025 California College Promise Grant
4. Click "Join Rising Scholars" below and complete the Rising Scholars Application
5. Contact Noel Gomez, Coordinator, Rising Scholars Program: gomezn@sbcc.edu

Student Responsibility  

• Students must meet with Rising Scholars Academic Counselor once per semester (See contact info below).
• Rising Scholars students must attend at least one program event once per semester

Rising Scholars Program Benefits & Resources

Interested in the Rising Scholars Program?

To find out more about Rising Scholars and the application process, please contact:
Noel Gomez, Rising Scholars Program Coordinator
gomezn@sbcc.edu
(805) 892-3653

Rising Scholars Academic Counseling:

Lydia Aguirre-Fuentes
llaguirrefue@pipeline.sbcc.edu

Antonia Atilano
aatilano@pipeline.sbcc.edu

Sabrina Barajas
sbarajas4@pipeline.sbcc.edu

Violet Casillas
vncasillas@pipeline.sbcc.edu

Cenorina Castelo
cmercado2@pipeline.sbcc.edu

Andy Gil
argil@pipeline.sbcc.edu

Jennifer Hamilton
jahamilton@pipeline.sbcc.edu

Thomas Huff
thuff3@pipeline.sbcc.edu

Gabriela Pulido-Vega
gpulidovega@pipeline.sbcc.edu