March 23, 2026, Santa Rosa, CA - Santa Rosa Junior College proudly celebrated the achievements of two Rising Scholars Network students at its third Juvenile Hall graduation ceremony, recognizing their completion of Associate Degrees in Social and Behavioral Sciences in December 2025.

Graduates completed college coursework through a combination of online instruction and IGNITE in-person classes offered inside Juvenile Hall, demonstrating remarkable perseverance, growth, and academic commitment. One graduate plans to complete an Associate Degree for Transfer by May 2026 and transfer in Fall 2026, while the other intends to transfer within the next academic year. Both students have already received multiple university acceptance letters.

Over the past year, the graduates have developed into strong self-advocates and leaders, serving on the Rising Scholars Advisory Committee and successfully transitioning to the SRJC campus to complete final coursework prior to transfer.

Since 2021, SRJC’s partnership with Sonoma County Juvenile Hall has provided college access and comprehensive support to justice-impacted youth ages 15–26. The program serves 20–30 students inside the facility each semester and approximately 25 students on campus. Its impact continues to expand, with previous graduates transferring to universities such as the University of California, Los Angeles, and California State University, Chico, and contributing to the campus community as peer leaders.

The graduation ceremony was attended by representatives from SRJC Student Services and Academic Affairs leadership, the Rising Scholars and Second Chance teams, IGNITE faculty and administrators, Juvenile Hall educators, and community partners, including Sonoma County Probation staff whose collaboration helps make these opportunities possible.

Together, this partnership reflects SRJC’s deep commitment to educational equity, second chances, and the creation of meaningful pathways to college and career success for all students.