The Rising Scholars Program (RSP) at Columbia College, formerly known as ISP, exists to serve justice impacted students with targeted resources and provides a supportive and inclusive community. We serve juveniles and adults who have ever experienced an arrest, detainment, probation, or incarceration in our on-campus Rising Scholars Center. In addition, we also provide college courses and services to students currently residing at Sierra Conservation Center (SCC), Vallecito Conservation Camp, Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp, Tuolumne County Jail, and Mother Lode Regional Juvenile Detention Facility. Our services are confidential, tailored to the needs of individuals, and are guided by the belief that every person has a right to quality education regardless of their personal background.
The following degrees are offered at Sierra Conservation Center:
The on-campus Rising Scholars Program application deadlines are as follows:
Spring 2025 - February 22, 2025
Summer 2025 - June 14, 2025
Fall 2025 - October 4, 2025
Students who submit their interest to join RSP beyond the application deadline will
be placed on a waitlist for the following term. The waitlist will be reviewed and
prospective students will be onboarded (space allowing) before the start of the next
term.
Our goal is to meet students where they are and provide meaningful, targeted supports to help them to be successful in their academic journey. We offer: