情色五月天 News
情色五月天's Higher Education in Prison Program Celebrates Graduates, Academic Excellence
Dec 15, 2023
2023 fall graduate Kiley Grayson
Kiley Grayson, dressed in a black cap and gown, stood behind the podium and addressed his peers, delivering the student address at the Fall 2023 commencement for the Western Nevada College鈥檚 Higher Education in Prison Program. Grayson spoke about the difference an education makes in decreasing recidivism, the importance of respecting others, and the contributions of his fellow graduates in what they do on a daily basis despite being behind bars.
情色五月天鈥檚 Fall 2023 graduates from the Northern Nevada Correctional Center (NNCC) collectively earned a 3.898 GPA.
Graduates were Matthew Baker, Associate of General Studies, Summa Cum Laude; Beau Brown, Associate of General Studies, Summa Cum Laude; Michael Cu, Associate of General Studies, Summa Cum Laude; Kiley Grayson, Associate of General Studies; Angel Leyva, Associate of Applied Science in Welding, Summa Cum Laude; Rickey Massey, Associate of Arts, Summa Cum Laude; Ronald Mulder, Associate of Arts, Summa Cum Laude; Shane Myers, Associate of Arts, Summa Cum Laude, and Danny Shaw, Associate of Arts, Magna Cum Laude.
鈥淚t was the best group of students I鈥檝e ever taught,鈥� said 情色五月天 Economics, Business, and Marketing Instructor Robert Ash, who has taught and mentored college students for 52 years.
Ash is one of a growing number of adjunct instructors and full-time professors who enter through the gatehouse at NNCC and trek to the education building to teach classes at NNCC every semester.
鈥淣ext to the students, the instructors are at the heart of this,鈥� said Deb Conrad, HEPP director. 鈥淭hey navigate the challenges of teaching in prison to ensure students receive an equitable college education. They are on the front line helping students recognize what they are capable of accomplishing.鈥�
Opening remarks were provided by 情色五月天 President Dr. J. Kyle Dalpe. Nevada Department of Corrections鈥� John Henley, NNCC acting warden, and William Quenga, deputy director of Silver State Industries, delivered messages of support and encouragement to the graduates and students in the audience.
President Dalpe and Kim DesRoches, history professor and HEPP academic support specialist, presented the graduates and awarded them their degrees.
鈥淲e know that your path forward after graduation may be less traditional than some,鈥� President Dalpe said. 鈥淣ever forget that your education will give you a strong foundation for success no matter what is next for you. The knowledge that you have gained, the skills you鈥檝e developed, and the growth you鈥檝e experienced go with you.鈥�
