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
10 year Anniversary Celebration!
10 year Anniversary Celebration!
Saturday, September 16, 2023 | 6pm - 9pm
Pauley Ballroom, UC Berkeley
- Students - $50
- Alumni - $75
- Ally - $100
- Table (seats 10) - $500
All tickets include dinner
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.
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
Sponsorship Opportunities
Level 1 | $2,500
table for 10 + listed as founding ally on website
Level 2 | $5,000
table for 10 + listed as founding ally on website + USI Swag Bags
Level 3 | $10,000
2 tables for 10 + listed as founding ally on website + USI Swag Bags + shout out during program
Level 4 | $25,000
3 tables for 10 + listed as founding ally on website + USI Swag Bags + shout out during program
Click Here to purchase sponsorship
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
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
Founding 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
- Hector Cervantes, MA Director, Underground Scholars Program at UC Irvine
- Javier Rodriguez, MSW, EdD Student Regional Coordinator, Rising Scholars Network, California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office
- Jennifer Gomez, BA LIFTED Program Officer, UC Irvine
- Ryan 'Flaco' Rising, PhD Student Doctoral Student, University of California Irvine
- Shani Shay, MA Student Director Incarceration to College
- Terrance Stewart, MA Time Done Membership & Engagement Manager, Alliance for Safety & Justice
Get in touch
For PArtnerships, Media, or more info Contact
Azadeh Zohrabi | azadehzohrabi@gmail.com
Danny Murillo | jaymurillo79@gmail.com