On May 12, 28 students graduated from Salt Lake Community College’s (SLCC) Prison Education Program (PEP) at the Utah State Correctional Facility. Students earned Associate of Science degrees in Anthropology, Business, Criminal Justice, and General Studies, with one student completing a degree in Computer Science and Information Systems. Four graduates spoke to a small audience about how earning an associate’s degree has changed their lives. Melissa Richmond, who earned an associate’s degree in Criminal Justice, shared how earning an education became important to her after she had been stuck in a cycle of addiction and suffering, “mostly self-inflicted,” and was over 40 years old and in prison. “School became my life. It made me realize I have the ability to make great changes in the world.” Richmond added, “Life is fragile. Things are broken, things are stolen, things get lost—friends, family, cars, phones homes. Everything can be taken from me, but not my education. I am...
Joy, gratitude, and an immense sense of accomplishment were the three main emotions present at SLCC’s commencement ceremony on May 9. The institution has been educating and preparing students for almost 77 years. Students wore those emotions on their graduation regalia to commemorate the end of a chapter. Here are just a few of the over 3,000 new SLCC graduates. David Schafler David, a Missouri native, decorated his cap with a St. Louis Blues hockey theme. For David, having a piece of home as he walks across the stage represents all the hurdles that have motivated him to get to this place. “The journey to obtain this degree was challenging. However, every struggle I faced only fueled my motivation to be here. We all have to start somewhere; for me, this is halfway.” Dylan Khauv Dylan always knew he was meant for greater things. As a former bartender, he decided to stop dreaming about his passion for working in the healthcare field and pursue it. “There were days that it got hard. I am ...