Welcome, Rising Scholars!
The Rising Scholars program was created to support students who were previously incarcerated or had other experiences with the criminal justice system, or who have been affected by a family member’s incarceration.
Our mission is to create a pathway into higher education and to serve students from enrollment through graduation, by addressing their academic and social needs.
Want to know more? Use our interest form if you'd like more information or think you might want to join the program.
Rising Scholars Interest form
Rising Scholars Get Internships!
Andres Adame
Aurelio Cardenas
Katrina Stewart
Three of De Anza's Rising Scholars have been selected for fellowships at Stanford University's Walkout Lab for Youth Justice, which uses research, story-telling and data mapping to support young people affected by the criminal justice system. Andres Adame, Aurelio Cardenas and Katrina Stewart will join a national cohort of fellows working to collect and analyze data, and create audiovisual stories.
Aurelio will also participate in a paid summer internship with the Martin Luther King Jr. Research and Education Institute at Stanford. The institute is working with the Atlanta-based King Center to compile and publishing a comprehensive, 14-volume collection of the papers of Martin Luther King Jr.
Internships, Scholarships + Events
Learn about internships and scholarships, educational events and other opportunities for community college students who were previously incarcerated or affected by the justice system.
Benefits and Services
As a student in the Rising Scholars program, you can get
- Counseling and academic advising
- Transfer assistance and advising
- Scholarship and financial aid information
- Student-to-student tutoring and mentoring
- Tutoring in math and English
- Opportunities for paid internships
- Workshops and special events
- Field trips to four-year universities
- Help in maintaining priority registration status
- And more!
More Resources Available to You
Visit our Resources for Rising Scholars webpage for a partial list of more programs and services available to you at De Anza.
Call Us!
You can reach us at 408.864.8268
Our office hours are Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Counselor
Jesus Ruelas
Outreach Counselor
- 408.864.8901
- ruelasjesus@deanza.edu
- RSS 127
Request a Meeting
We're available to meet on Zoom or in person. Use the online form to schedule a meeting with Jesus Ruelas.
Program Coordinator
Faculty Member
