[College Initiative] 2012 Victor Hassine Memorial Essay Competition Winner

As a result of education, my life has changed in so many ways. In fact, almost every facet of my life has changed when compared with how my life use to be before receiving higher education. At the age of 18 years old, I was incarcerated for a crime I did not commit. I was sentenced to 25 years to life for a murder. I was forced to spend more than half of life in prison under psychological, emotional and physical stress and destruction. Fortunately, in 1990, free education was available to prisoners and I was able to immerse myself into learning to get away from the negative prison conditions that surrounded me. I was able to acquire an Associate Degree in the first 6 years of my incarceration not knowing the significance of this act until 19 years later. It was then I saw the significance of this act.

On returning home at age 43, after surviving the horrendous ordeal of prison, life was new, challenging and unpredictable. However, I still was able to keep my youthful idealistic mindset. I did not allow prison to destroy it. I knew that continuous education would be my salvation. Returning home October 9, 2009, my mission, goal and objective was to start school the next coming semester. Through the aid of the College Initiative, which I heard so much about while incarcerated, I was able to use my Associate Degree and begin working on my Bachelor Degree at Medgar Evers College.

The first year was the beginning of my life, a chance to start a new beginning with education as my guide, compass and reliever. I started the Spring 2010 semester hopeful, optimistic and determined. I would make all that reading I did in prison now pay of in the classroom. I was ready for the opportunity. After navigating through the bureaucracy, I obtained my classes and I was on a mission. When the smoke cleared, I completed my first semester with all A's and made the Dean list. Every semester was a repeat of the first semester. Within 2 years, I had earned my Bachelor Degree in Psychology with a 3.5 GPA.

On my third year, I applied and was accepted to Hunter College School of Social Work for a Master Degree. The experiences of ascending the educational ladder has been intoxicating, uplifting and validating. I have made new friends I would not have made before. Education has opened doors and relationships I would never experience. It has allowed me to see myself as a professional. It has given me the ability to see into another worlds I thought not possible at one time. The quality of my existence and friends have radically changed.

The idea that I am professionally competent is a new idea which gives me validation. Education is providing me with options and choices I would never see without it. I can consider jobs that never would have been imaginable. It is an edifying concept to be respected for your mind as oppose to how violent you can be. Education is evidence of one's capability. It was a great accomplishment to obtain my Bachelor Degree. The pride, faith and confidence makes me believe I can accomplish anything I put my mind on. My self-esteem has become elevated beyond measure. Education has legitimized my activities, visions and pursuits. It has opened doors I did not know exist.

The body of friends I am now attached are mostly educated individuals. This allows for greater networking and job possibilities and access to financial as well as social wealth. My problem-solving capabilities has increased with my education level. I am not intimidated by people who possess higher levels of education any longer. At one time, I was very defensive when I had to interact with people who were professional and highly educated. Now, I am more confident and comfortable when interacting with people of this nature.

My family treats me with greater respect I never knew possible. I have accomplished something they never believed they could accomplish. I am a first generation college graduate in spite of my negative experiences with the criminal justice system.