October 31, 2025
10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Golden Eagle Ballrooms
Highlighting how students impact our communities, create change, and how Cal State LA Project Rebound (PR) and the Prison Graduation Initiative (PGI) support their journeys through higher education.
Agenda
10:00 – 10:15 a.m. | Coffee, Pastries, & Seating
- Altar item placing & tabling
10:15 – 10:35 a.m. | Welcome & Opening Remarks
- Jose Ramos, Project Rebound Student Advisor
- Gustavo Giraldo, Project Rebound Interim Director
- Patrick K. Day, Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management
10:40 – 11:00 a.m.| Cal State LA Highlights
- Vincent Lopez, Senior Director of Enrollment Services (Admissions Team)
11:10 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Breakout Sessions
- Attend assigned breakout session.
12:10 – 1:20 p.m. | Lunch & Performances
Golden Eagle Ballrooms 1–3
- Spoken Word: Brandon Baker (current Project Rebound Student at Cal State LA), Sam Brown PGI Alumnus, Laura Banks (current Project Rebound Student)
- Tabling: On-campus programs & community agencies
- Food Pantry Pop-Up
1:20 – 1:30 p.m. | Prison Graduation Initiative Overview
- Bidhan Roy, PGI Program Manager
1:30 – 2:45 p.m. | Panel Discussion: Project Rebound Journeys in Higher Education
Current Project Rebound & former PGI students share their experiences at Cal State LA and how higher education and the care they have received has helped them on their journey after incarceration.
Moderated by Vincent Rogers, Project Rebound Graduate Student
Participants will be assigned one of these breakout sessions during check-in.
OUR JOURNEY TO CAL STATE LA: SYSTEM-IMPACTED STUDENTS
Valerie Canizales, Project Rebound Scholar
Desiree Ramirez, Project Rebound Alumna
U-SU: Boardroom South 303A
SEVENTEEN DOORS DOCUMENTARY
Duncan Martinez, PGI and Project Rebound student
Documentary film screening and discussion.
U-SU: Montebello Room 309
INSIDE WRITERS WORKSHOP: WRITING CIRCLE
Hugo Arredondo Ortiz, Project Rebound Scholar
U-SU: Alhambra Room 305
IMPACT OF PROJECT REBOUND ON PREVIOUSLY INCARCERATED STUDENTS
Vincent Rogers, Project Rebound Student Assistant
U-SU: Los Angeles Room A
HIGHER EDUCATION & PRISON
Mario Guerra PGI Alumnus, Project Rebound Scholar
Documentary film screening and discussion.
U-SU: San Gabriel Room 313
THE STORY WITHIN: HEALING THROUGH EDUCATION AND NARRATION - RETURNING TO LEARN, RETURNING TO SELF
Laura Banks, Project Rebound Scholar
U-SU: Los Angeles Room B
PURSUING A MASTER'S AT CAL STATE LA & SUPPORTING HOMEBOY INDUSTRIES
Lami Glenn, Project Rebound Alumnus
U-SU: Los Angeles Room C
EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY & HEALING WORK
Sam Brown, PGI Alumnus, 10 P Founder & CEO
Golden Eagle Ballrooms
PRINTMAKING ON SHIRTS: CREATIVE EXPRESSION & COMMUNITY AWARENESS
Edin Madrid, Project Rebound Scholar
U-SU: Pasadena Room 307
Raffle winners will have the opportunity to create a commemorative tote bag or t-shirt from the event.