I have always dreamed of going to college. As an active-duty Army Ranger, I used to envision how great it would be to walk on a college campus, attend college events, and have the freedom to pursue my own way in the world. I often thought of being a student and succeeding in the world. However, during my time in the military, I felt conflicted about whether to re-enlist or retire from duty. In all honesty, it was a while before I decided that pursuing a college degree was exactly what I wanted to do.

My decision came during my second deployment to Afghanistan when an Afghan Commando team opened fire on a group of passing civilians believed to be militant members of ISIS. Because I had been assigned to received casualties after they has been casevac’d (casualty evacuation), it had been my job to provide security for the medical personnel as they treated the civilians. As I stood over a 7 or so year old who had multiple gunshot wounds to her legs, I realized, in that moment, I did not want to kill people. This was a problem because, as infantry, it was essentially my job.

When I returned home, I put in an application for Florida State University in order to begin pursuing a career in nursing. The idea that I could make a career out of helping people appealed to me. Unfortunately, due to a series of unfortunate events, I ended up in jail and not the luxurious town of Tallahassee. In the firmness of an industrial-lit cell, I began to believe that my college dreams had been shattered. Who would accept a felon into their university? Even if I were accepted, how would it be practical to pay for higher education now that I had lost my G.I. Bill?

After being sentenced, I felt worried that I would spend the next three years of my life wasting away. I went from being on top of the world with an infinite number of possibilities to having what I perceived as next to none. I had found myself with no applicable skills that I could use in the civilian world and, worse, I had found myself branded with a criminal record.

As I sat in a cell at the reception center in Shelton, a facility for the purpose of inmate classification and testing before transfer to a final facility, I began brainstorming how to educate myself. I asked my mother to look up correspondence courses for me so that I could use my time as an investment instead of a waste. When she got back to me about a correspondence course from the University of Ohio, I was disheartened as she told me it would cost tens of thousands of dollars. After exhausting my life savings in legal fees, I realized there was no possible way I could afford to pay its expensive tuition costs.

When I first arrived at Coyote Ridge Correctional Center, I expected what I had originally been told by an official at Shelton: “There are no lectures, there are not college courses, and there is no way besides correspondence courses to get a college education.” When I arrived at the B-Unit veteran pod I was more than relieved to find out that this was not the case. As it happened, there were other incarcerated veterans pursing their Associate Degrees on site. I was ecstatic to find out that Walla Walls Community College (WWCC) holds classes in the correction facility’s “education” building. Within days of finding out I had an opportunity to attend school, I promptly signed up to take a placement exam.

I began studying with my fellow inmates in preparation to take the exam at once. My enthusiasm was mounting as my motivation to succeed was skyrocketed. When I placed into MATH 78 and ENG 101, I was extremely content. More so, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that WWCC had started offering a degree in Health and Human Services; I could still pursue my dream job of helping other people!

In the year I’ve attended, I’ve personally seen the education offered by WWCC transform individuals by fostering more logical and creative thinking patterns. Furthermore, I’ve witnesses many humanity classes promote understanding between different groups of people which leads me to believe the education here reduces violence. Although the primary function of WWCC is to help inmates get their Associates Degree, I believe the most effective thing that WWCC gives inmates is hope.

Last May, I took a class titled SOC 204: Drugs and Society. In this class we learned about the use, criminalization, addiction and realties of drug use in American society. Despite the subject itself being extremely eye-opening, the most interesting part for me was the instructor, Mr. V. We soon found out that Mr. V. himself had been formerly incarcerated. He revealed to us that he spent seven years in a Nevada state prison and also has an extensive criminal record.

Often, we students have wondered if it is possible for us to become licensed care providers. I myself have heard naysayers claiming that “once you get a felony, no one will hire you, especially if you want to be a counselor.” As I listened to Mr. V.’s personal story, it became evident that these claims were unfounded.

Mr. V. not only worked as a licensed counselor upon his release from prison, but also became a successful scholar, evident by the fact that he is now currently pursuing his doctorate through Washington State University. Personally, I have never felt so blessed to have studied under him. Before us was a man who survived the prison system, overcame a drug addiction, and earned his Master’s Degree with high honors.

Every day the class felt alive with energy and motivation. I believe this is due to us seeing our potential reflected in Mr. V.’s success. It was apparent that his success could be ours one day, and that we, as the incarcerated, are capable of transforming ourselves into people who can positively affect the world.

Attending Walla Walla Community College has made me realize that there is untapped potential in every incarcerated citizen. More so, I am inspired every day by the teachers who believe in us. School is important to me because, when I am there, I am not just an “offender,” I am a student putting forth effort into bettering myself, others around me, my country, and ultimately, the world. I believe one of the keys to unlocking our potential is hope and school is one of the best ways of providing that hope.

I urge every inmate who is able, especially my fellow veterans, not to pass up this great educational opportunity. You won’t regret it.