Introduction
Every so often, we encounter an individual who can illuminate the profound impact that education and personal resilience can have on one’s life, even in the most challenging circumstances. Mesro Coles-El is one such individual. An inmate at San Quentin State Prison, Mesro, is currently graduating from the Prison University Project. He shares a few insights about his life, education, challenges, and aspirations with us. His story serves as a reminder that opportunity and potential can thrive anywhere – even within prison walls.
Education and Legacy
Coles-El champions the transformative power of education. He views it not merely as a stepping-stone to employment but as a life-changing journey of self-discovery and enlightenment. “College courses are not engineered to change your minds about your life completely. What if the class teaches you something right that you thought about wrongly? Make it a point to welcome the change in your life that comes with education,” he advises.
The Prison University Project
Grateful for the dedicated volunteers who have chosen to invest their time in inmates like him, Mesro believes the Prison University Project provides a much-needed platform for interactive learning. “Hearing ideas from teachers and students simultaneously is the best way to learn, in my opinion,” he shares.
Challenging Assignments and Personal Achievements
While unable to pinpoint a specific assignment as his favorite, Mesro reflects fondly on the collective experience of learning in prison, an environment far from conducive to intellectual growth. Among his proudest accomplishments are a poem titled “Human Element,” inspired during a chemistry midterm, a piece named “The Rock, the River, and the Tree,” published in OpenLine, and a series of film boards he created for Introduction to Film.
Advice for Incoming Students
To future students, Mesro’s advice is simple but impactful: take education seriously. He implores them to embrace the chance of a lifetime and not to squander the opportunities that come with it. “A chance for an education is not given to everyone the way some think it is,” he says, emphasizing the role of professors as supportive and enriching figures in this process.
Future Aspirations
Beyond completing his AA Degree, Mesro has set his sights on teaching and furthering his education, specifically in computer-based skills such as CGI, video games, films, websites, and programming. He also aspires to use his writing to effect social change and engage in creative pursuits in the digital world.
Challenges and Misconceptions
For Mesro, time management is one of the most significant challenges of being a college student. He candidly discusses the often misunderstood reality of prison life and the need for changes in the criminal justice system. He hopes to dispel the stereotypes surrounding incarcerated individuals and foster an understanding of their journey toward self-improvement and societal contribution.
Influential Figures
While he can’t single out one tutor or instructor, Mesro attributes his success to the collective impact of all the teachers and tutors he’s interacted with. Their open-mindedness and dedication have inspired his aspirations to become a teacher one day.
Liberal Arts Education
To Mesro, a Liberal Arts education signifies preparation for more specialized areas of study. He sees the reflection of Liberal Arts as instrumental in gaining a broad understanding of the world and serving as a foundation for further educational pursuits.
Passions and Extra-curricular Activities
Mesro has many passions, from literacy, gaming, mathematics, and social change, to hip-hop, science fiction, and astrophysics. His upcoming book, Triumph, combines several of these passions, presenting a science fiction narrative inspired by his commitment to literacy and education. Besides writing, he also engages in gaming, applying its techniques to his life and educational pursuits.
Support System and Words of Wisdom
Mesro credits his success to the Prison University Project volunteers, his encouraging parents, supportive friends, and classmates. He offers congratulation and encouragement to his fellow graduates, urging them to keep fighting for a better world.
Coles-El’s story shines a light on the power of education and resilience, reminding us that it’s never too late to change our life trajectory, irrespective of where we find ourselves. His narrative embodies the possibilities of growth and transformation, even within the confines of the prison system.
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