A partnership between Miramar College and the Naval Consolidated Brig, Miramar, is opening doors for incarcerated service members – offering not just educational opportunities, but a pathway to reinvention.
Through the Rising Scholars Network, students housed at the military prison can now pursue an Associate of Science in Entrepreneurship, as part of a statewide initiative supporting currently and formerly incarcerated individuals. Miramar is the only community college in California currently offering a full degree program inside a federal military correctional facility.
Launched in Fall 2023, the program delivers in-person college classes inside the Brig, where internet access is strictly prohibited and all coursework relies on traditional, offline methods.
The program was designed with intention. When Professor of Sociology and Rising Scholars Coordinator Dr. Laura Pecenco asked incarcerated students what they wanted to study, entrepreneurship topped the list, reflecting the reality that many will face barriers to traditional employment after release. Now, students are building the knowledge and skills needed to create their own opportunities.
In addition to traditional classroom instruction, students can earn credits through work experience courses, engaging with faculty and supervisors to apply new skills and knowledge to jobs within the facility.
These positions cover a wide range, from working in the sign-making, graphic design, carpentry and landscaping shops, to training puppies for the Canine Companions program, to administrative or industrial services roles within the prison.
“We are proud to have steadily increased course availability for our students, along with offering additional resources and events,” says Dr. Pecenco. Approximately 30 students participate in the program at any given time, and they can now enroll full-time each semester.
Faculty involved say the experience has been deeply impactful.
“Our students are highly motivated, disciplined, and eager to learn. They see education as a privilege that they’re really excited about,” said Business Department Co-Chair Duane Short, who teaches work experience at the Brig. “Many arrive with only vague ideas about their future, but over the course of time, we’ve seen them become more specific and realistic, with solid business plans and a clear direction for themselves. As an instructor, it’s been very rewarding to be part of this experience.”
The program held its first graduation ceremony in June 2025, with a second planned soon. To date, 16 degrees and certificates have been awarded.
And for the students, it’s more than a degree – it’s a second chance to build a new life.
To learn more about the Rising Scholars program at Miramar College, visit https://sdmiramar.edu/services/risingscholars.
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