During his 22 years of incarceration, James “JC” Cavitt dreamed about everything he would do when he got out: He would finish school, get a good job, raise a family and give back to the community.
\n \nThe night before Cavitt was due to be paroled from San Quentin State Prison, he heard about Cal State Fullerton’s Project Rebound — a program that supports the higher education and successful reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals.
\nCavitt paroled on a Friday and arrived on campus the following Tuesday.
\n \nA Program of ‘Second Chances’
\nWhen Cavitt first visited CSUF, he remembers being overwhelmed by the size of the campus and wondering if the 3.42 GPA he maintained while earning his associate’s degree through the Prison University Project measured up in a collegiate environment.
\nAs part of Project Rebound — which offers individualized support with admissions, academic advising, tutoring, mentoring, counseling, legal and career services — Cavitt was empowered to complete his bachelor’s degree in two years.
\n“A lot of days I have to pinch myself,” he admits. “I’m so blessed that I now have the opportunity to live out my dreams.”
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