Adrian Lopez, a sociology and communications major at American River College and a formerly incarcerated individual, has endured more than his share of challenges. His journey to college has been anything but easy. Born and raised in a system that didn’t always have his back, Adrian Lopez spent several years incarcerated, facing many of the systemic barriers that those impacted by the criminal justice system often experience. Upon release, he found himself in a world where he felt like an outsider, unsure of how to navigate these new challenges that stood between him and a better life. That was until he found Rising Scholars, a program that gave him not only the directions but a purpose to support others walking a similar path.
For students who have been impacted by the justice system, the path to higher education is rarely straightforward. But at American River College, a quiet movement is growing—one built on compassion, accountability and second chances, changing lives one class at a time.
The Rising Scholars program is part of the Los Rios Community College District’s prison education initiative and offers much more than just an academic opportunity. It offers a lifeline to those seeking a second chance after facing challenges with the justice system. Rising Scholars provides not only a space for education but also a supportive community for students who have often been marginalized and overlooked by society. It’s a place where they can rebuild their futures and, with the right guidance, achieve their goals.
“It’s like finding a place where you’re not looked down on,” says Adrian Lopez, who now serves as a model of resilience within the program. “For so long, I felt like an outsider everywhere I went. Here, I’m just another student trying to make something of myself.”
Adrian Lopez is one of more than 100 students currently enrolled in Rising Scholars, each with their own unique story of hardship and transformation. While the students in this program come from diverse backgrounds, they all share one thing in common: a desire to overcome their past and take control of their future. For Adrian Lopez, Rising Scholars provided that entrance to a better life—one that he once thought was out of reach until he met the heart of Rising Scholars, Veronica Lopez, one afternoon in the ARC student center.
Veronica Lopez is the program’s faculty coordinator and a professor in the nutrition department at American River College. She has dedicated much of her professional life to supporting students impacted by the justice system, providing them with the resources, guidance and encouragement they need to succeed. Her role extends far beyond that of an instructor. She is a mentor, a guide, and an advocate for each of the students she works with.
Adrian Lopez describes Veronica Lopez as “tough and almost sister-like,” recognizing the significant impact she has had on his life. Veronica Lopez plays a pivotal role in the personal growth of students, offering them the emotional support and academic resources they need to thrive.
“There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to helping these students,” Veronica Lopez says. “Each person has their own journey. What we do here is guide them, help them heal and show them that their past doesn’t have to dictate their future.”
Veronica Lopez’s commitment to Rising Scholars stems from her own personal understanding of the challenges faced by individuals who have gone through the effects of the justice system. As a Chicana, she has witnessed firsthand the struggles that marginalized communities face. Through Rising Scholars, she’s able to provide students with not just an academic pathway but also the tools to address and heal from their past traumas. Her personal connection to the program and her passion for helping others makes her an essential element.
“We have students who walk in here feeling like they don’t belong,” Veronica Lopez says. “And my role is to show them that they do belong. We’re creating a space where they can grow emotionally, academically and personally.”
Aside from academic goals, there is a sense of family, which is where the program truly shines.
“It’s a community,” Adrian Lopez says. “It’s people who get it, who understand what I’ve been through. And it’s more than just academic success, it’s about knowing that you can do something positive after all the bad. I’ve learned to believe in myself again.”
This community is rooted in a model of “cariño,” trust, and shared responsibility. Rising Scholars is designed to make students feel valued, supported and capable.
“We hold each other accountable,” Veronica Lopez explains. “It’s not just about us as instructors and coordinators holding students accountable, it’s about the students holding each other accountable. We’re all in this together. One of the best moments for me was seeing one of our students, who had been with us for a while, transferring to Sacramento State,” Veronica Lopez reflects. “We celebrated that milestone together, as a community. It’s moments like that that show me that we’re on the right path.”
By creating this environment, Rising Scholars fosters both academic success and personal growth. Students are supported in their journey toward self-discovery and healing. Whether it’s connecting students with academic resources, offering counseling services or providing referrals to community partners who can assist with housing and employment, Rising Scholars works to address the holistic needs of justice-impacted individuals.
“We’re giving them the tools to succeed and empowering them to take charge of their future,” Veronica Lopez says. “Seeing students like Adrian Lopez succeed, watching them grow each semester, it’s what keeps me going.”
Rising Scholars is part of a larger initiative, the Los Rios Community College District’s prison education program, which offers both in-prison education and reentry support. This dual approach aims to help students during and after their incarceration, offering them both the academic foundation they need and the practical tools to navigate life after prison.
“A lot of our students come here with a heavy burden, often carrying not just their past but the weight of society’s judgment,” Veronica Lopez says. “This program is about more than just academic support. It’s about showing them they are worthy of success, no matter their history.”
