Underground Scholars


Celebration


10 Year Anniversary



10 Year Anniversary


Celebrating 10 years of excellence and transformation in higher education &

THE LAUNCH OF

Underground Scholars Inc.

a new organization to expand our work beyond the university

Underground Scholars, UC Berkeley, Bruin Underground Scholars, UCLA, UCR, UCSC, UCSB, UCSD, UC Merced, UCI, Irvine, USI, Underground Scholars Inc, Danny Murillo, Azadeh Zohrabi, Angela Davis,

10 years Strong...

In 2013 formerly incarcerated and system impacted UC Berkeley students came together to form Underground Scholars - a transformative program that supports incarcerated and formerly incarcerated students with recruitment, retention, advocacy, wellness, and career services.

Underground Scholars, UC Berkeley, Bruin Underground Scholars, UCLA, UCR, UCSC, UCSB, UCSD, UC Merced, UCI, Irvine, USI, Underground Scholars Inc, Aaron Harvey, Daniela Medina, Clarence Ford, Shani Shay, David Carranza, Jennifer Gomez,

In 2023 - we're celebrating our expansion to 9 UC campuses, serving hundreds of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated students each year, hundreds of alumni - many advancing to graduate programs and many working in re-entry, higher education, policy, law, nonprofits, and other professions.

The Next 10 Years...

Announcing the launch of Underground Scholars Inc., a new umbrella organization that will

  • Increase our capacity to work with incarcerated youth & adults,
  • Lead recruitment efforts across the state,
  • Expand our advocacy work and policy institute
  • Increase our wellness offerings
  • Expand our program model nationwide
  • Work with campus based Underground Scholars programs to support student retention

Our new program structure will shift our Recruitment, Advocacy, Wellness, and Career Services to the non-profit, allowing the UC based Underground Scholars Chapters to focus on retention support for UC students

5 Pyramid Chart

UC

Programs

Retention

Wellness Services

for students

Career Services

Professional Development & Jobs for Alumni

Statewide Advocacy & Policy Institute

Engage in individual & systemic advocacy

Recruitment Programs & UC Application Support

in Jails, Prisons, Youth Facilities, & Community Colleges

arc semi circle line curved hand drawn ornament logo icon
Underground Scholars Inc

Board of Directors

  • Aaron Harvey, BA College Coach, Beyond 12
  • Alberto "Beto" Vasquez, PhD Director of CSSI Outreach and Community Engagement, UC San Diego
  • Azadeh Zohrabi, JD Executive Director, Berkeley Underground Scholars
  • Clarence Ford, MPP Data and Policy Research Analyst, W. Haywood Burns Institute
  • Daniela Medina, MSW Program Planner, City of Oakland
  • Danny Murillo, MA Associate Director, Berkeley Underground Scholars
  • David Carranza, BA Co-founder & Co-Director Crea8Innovations
  • Javier Rodriguez, MSW, EdD Student Regional Coordinator, Rising Scholars Network, California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office
  • Shani Shay, MA Student Director Incarceration to College
  • Terrance Stewart, MA Time Done Membership & Engagement Manager, Alliance for Safety & Justice
Underground Scholars, UC Berkeley, Bruin Underground Scholars, UCLA, UCR, UCSC, UCSB, UCSD, UC Merced, UCI, Irvine, USI, Underground Scholars Inc, Aaron Harvey, Daniela Medina, Clarence Ford, Shani Shay, David Carranza, Jennifer Gomez,
Underground Scholars, UC Berkeley, Bruin Underground Scholars, UCLA, UCR, UCSC, UCSB, UCSD, UC Merced, UCI, Irvine, USI, Underground Scholars Inc, Aaron Harvey, Daniela Medina, Clarence Ford, Shani Shay, David Carranza, Jennifer Gomez,

Get in touch

For PArtnerships, Media, or more info Contact

Azadeh Zohrabi | azadehzohrabi@gmail.com

Danny Murillo | jaymurillo79@gmail.com