Cuyamaca Rising Scholars Program
The Cuyamaca Rising Scholars Program provides college support services for students who are justice-involved, formerly incarcerated, on probation, or who have parole supervision.
How We Can Help:
- Mentorship
- Rising Scholars Community Group are on the 1st Tuesday of every month, from 3:30pm to 4:30pm, we meet in person in conference room: G-231 located by next to the Counseling Center, or join us virtually/ZOOM, email Octavio for the ZOOM link. Food/refreshment will be provided in G-231.
- Priority Registration
- Enrollment Support
- Laptop and hotspot rentals for the semester
- Tutoring- Request a Tutoring Appointment
- Transfer Guidance
- Referrals to campus support services and community resources
- Comprehensive Educational Plan, Consortium agreement, and Academic Renewal
- Funding support toward textbooks, school supplies, and MTS Pronto semester pass
- Housing and employment support
Students make a program commitment to meet with the Rising Scholar peer mentor and/or Counselor twice a semester to receive services.
Ways to Meet with Rising Scholars Program:
1st Tuesday of every month Rising Scholars Virtual Community Group Check-ins, email Octavio for Zoom link.
Emails us or Call Counseling Center at (619) 660-4429 to make an appointment with Octavio, Christopher, Kevin, Steven or James. Their availability is listed below.
Fall 2026 semester Hours
Octavio Leal (Program Coordinator, Counselor)
Available in Counseling office, G-200
| Day | Start Time | End Time | Format |
| Mondays | 8:00 AM | 11:30 AM | In-person or Zoom |
| Tuesdays | 2:30 PM | 6:00 PM | In-person or Zoom |
| Wednesdays | 2:30 PM | 5:30 PM | In-person or Zoom |
| Thursdays | 2:30 PM | 5:30 PM | In-person or Zoom |
James Magaña (Rising Scholar Student Worker)
Available in Counseling office, G-200
| Day | Start Time | End Time | Format |
| Fridays | 9:00 AM | 1:00 PM | In-person |
Christopher Torres (Counselor)
Schedule an Appointment for Education Planning, Financial Aid Appeals, and Consortium AgreementsAvailable in Counseling office, G-200
|
Day |
Start Time | End Time | Format |
| Tuesdays | 3:00 PM | 6:00 PM | Zoom only |
| Wednesdays | 3:00 PM | 5:00 PM | In-Person or Zoom |
| Alternating Fridays | 9:00 AM | 3:00 PM | In-Person or Zoom |
Kevin Hernandez (Rising Scholar Student Worker)
| Day | Start Time | End Time | Format |
| Mondays | 11:00 AM | 5:00 PM | In-Person |
| Wednesdays | 9:00 AM | 3:00 PM | In-Person |
| Thursdays | 11:00 AM | 5:00 PM | In-Person |
| Fridays | 9:00 AM | 1:00 PM | In-Person |
Steven Thompson (Rising Scholar Student Worker)
| Date | Start Time | End Time | Format |
| Mondays | 11:00 AM | 5:00 PM | In-Person |
| Wednesdays | 9:00 AM | 3:00 PM | In-Person |
| Thursdays | 11:00 AM | 5:00 PM | In-Person |
| Fridays | 9:00 AM | 1:00 PM | In-Person |
Our Mission:
Breaking the cycle of incarceration through education and community.
Other Resources:
Contact Information:
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For support with onboarding college process and campus resources assistance contact:
Octavio Leal Program Coordinator Contact: Octavio.Leal@gcccd.edu Google cell number: 1 (330) 886-2738, or Counseling front desk (619) 660-4429 available/return messages during assigned work hours listed above |
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For Educational Planning, Consortium Agreements, Academic Renewal, Financial Aid Petition assistance contact:
Christopher Torres Assistant Professor, Counselor Schedule an Appointment for Education Planning Contact: Work office phone: (619) 660-4408 or email at Christopher.Torres@gcccd.edu |
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James Magaña Student Worker Contact: By calling Counseling-front desk at (619)-660-4429 during assigned hours or email at james_magana@gcccd.edu |
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Kevin Hernandez Student Worker Contact: By calling Counseling-front desk at (619)-660-4429 during assigned hours or email at kevin_hernandez@gcccd.edu |
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Steven Thompson Student Worker Contact: By calling Counseling-front desk at (619)-660-4429 during assigned hours or email at steven_thompson@gcccd.edu |