"Educating Allies" is a proposal to the University of California, Santa Barbara, for the implementation of the new Discover+ Seminar proposal that focuses on the significant barriers faced by formerly incarcerated students as they pursue higher education.

The proposed seminar was developed by a group of other undergraduate writing students, including myself, and in partnership with the Professional Writing Department and the Underground Scholars program, which provides support, assistance, and guidance to formerly incarcerated and system-impacted students. Our collaboration was essential for the success of the proposal and seminar development and implementation.  

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The Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education accepted the proposal in the spring of 2022 and launched it in the fall of 2022, becoming the first student-proposed seminar course in university history. Since its inception, the seminar has continued to be successful thanks to the guidance and expertise of Underground Scholar members and writing department faculty.

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Topics of the course: the social construction of crime and punishment within the United States, the physiological effects of incarceration, current educational opportunities for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals, activism and advocacy concerning prison reform, identity and empowerment, and the role of education in community reintegration.

I played two major roles in the development of the proposal: managing communication and editing the proposal document.

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Communication: 

• Coordinated meetings and facilitated meetings with the undergraduate writing team and faculty, and the Underground Scholars program, ensuring smooth communication and collaboration.

• Ensured alignment with the Underground Scholars program's standards and goals at every step, maintaining regular updates and feedback loops to effectively integrate their input and perspectives.

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Editing:

• Meticulously edited the proposal document to enhance clarity, coherence, and readability, ensuring that the objectives and proposed solutions were clearly communicated.

• Organized the proposal's structure to create a logical and persuasive flow of information.

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Seminar Goals:

• Awareness: Raise awareness about the challenges faced by formerly incarcerated students and the importance of supporting their educational endeavors.

• Support: Foster a supportive and inclusive campus environment by integrating personal experiences from Underground Scholars members into the curriculum.

• Leadership Development: Provide leadership opportunities for formerly incarcerated students within the seminar, enhancing their skills and confidence.

• Community Building: Create a network of allies within the UCSB community to support formerly incarcerated students in their academic and personal growth.

 

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