Transfer & Reentry Support

Institutional supports and constraints

VISTA team members will also connect students to other on-campus support offices like ECRT, the Basic Needs Center, and Project Rebound. Connecting students with campus-based support programs such as Project Rebound provides critical academic, social, and reentry support, strengthening their ability to persist and thrive if they choose to transition to in-person study.

Institutional constraints are navigated with the support of VISTA team members. One primary constraint relates to the student's enrolled status upon transfer. If the student is transferring mid-semester, they will often remain a Global Campus student while finishing their coursework. This status means they are ineligible for many campus services like the Basic Needs office and ECRT, which creates gaps in necessary transition support. VISTA team members aim to fill this gap by linking students with local resources until they are officially enrolled in SDSU main campus.

Faculty and staff supports and constraints

Institutional supports play a critical role in promoting student success, particularly for those transitioning from incarceration to campus. Connecting students with programs such as Project Rebound provides essential academic, social, and reentry support that strengthens persistence and overall well-being. Additional campus resources, including SDSU Student Disability Services, offer accommodations and support for students with documented needs, ensuring equitable access to education. At the same time, students may face constraints related to parole conditions, housing, transportation, and access to technology, all of which require ongoing coordination and advocacy to support a successful transition to in-person study.

Preparing students for success on campus

Preparing students for success on campus begins well before their release from Centinela State Prison through consistent engagement and intentional planning. This includes coordinating with HLHEP staff to establish clear communication, gather contact information, review parole plans, and ensure that each student's goals and preferences guide the support provided.

Once on campus, access to part-time employment opportunities is critical in promoting financial stability, confidence, and a sense of purpose. Encouraging students to participate in campus events and remain actively involved in program initiatives further strengthens their connection to the campus community and supports their long-term success.

 

Case Study

Transfer Student Considerations

Transfer student considerations for individuals released from Centinela State Prison require careful coordination between academic planning and reentry logistics. Key factors include assessing whether the student is well-suited for online learning to continue coursework through SDSU, or whether their parole location necessitates connection to a local CSU campus for in-person support. In some cases, students may seek to transfer their parole to the San Diego area to maintain the option of continuing their studies in person at SDSU. Understanding parole plans is critical, including the level of community support available, housing arrangements such as transitional living environments, and access to technology. These factors directly impact a student's ability to maintain continuity in their education and successfully transition into a degree-completion pathway.

Incarcerated students transferring to campus

Incarcerated students who transfer to main campus while enrolled in VISTA require specific degree planning and coordination with the home academic program(s). Depending on when a student is released during a given semester, the student may complete their current coursework through Global Campus at the discretion of the instructor. Following their completion of classes, these credits are transferred to SDSU main campus and the student is enrolled in on-campus courses.

Students transferring to campus will also get support in establishing SDSU credentials (RedID and email access), applying for financial aid, engaging with the registrar to confirm the plan of study, and direct connections with faculty who may support their academic transition. VISTA team members will also connect students to other on-campus support offices like ECRT, the Basic Needs Center, and Project Rebound.

Incarcerated students transferring to campus build upon prior planning to continue their education in person at SDSU and fully engage as members of the campus community. This process requires close coordination with the Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO) to explore relocating parole to the San Diego area. Ensuring stable housing and reliable transportation to and from campus is essential for consistency and success.