Esmeralda Martinez’s Journey of Resilience and Triumph Through RCC’s Rising Scholars Program

Riverside City College’s (RCC) Rising Scholars program is making a profound impact on the lives of justice-impacted students, helping them overcome barriers and achieve their academic goals. Among the many success stories, Esmeralda Martinez’s journey stands out as a testament to perseverance, empowerment, and the transformative power of education.

After a 20-year hiatus from college to raise her children as a single parent, Esmeralda made a bold New Year's resolution in 2024—to finish what she started in 1997. Returning to RCC after two decades was daunting, and she initially felt lost and overwhelmed. However, everything changed when she discovered the Rising Scholars program through an email about the Access Project, an event providing legal resources and academic support for justice-impacted students.

At this event, Esmeralda met LaRon Armstead, a dedicated advocate within the Rising Scholars program. His encouragement and guidance gave her the confidence she needed to navigate her return to college. “LaRon took the time to review my transcript and reassured me that I was already ahead of the game,” Esmeralda recalled. “For the first time, I felt like I could do this.”

One of the most life-changing moments in Esmeralda’s journey was having her legal record expunged. After struggling to navigate the legal process on her own, she found the support she needed through the Rising Scholars' post-conviction services. Receiving the official court documents approving her expungement was an emotional and liberating moment. “I cried tears of happiness—I felt free, like I got my life back,” she said.

Encouraged by Armstead and the Rising Scholars team, Esmeralda took another bold step—applying to California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB). Initially focused only on completing her associate degree, she had never considered transferring to a university. However, with the support of Rising Scholars, she applied and received her conditional acceptance just three days later. “When you have so many people encouraging you to succeed, it’s empowering,” she said. “They empower you to do great things.”

This spring, Esmeralda will graduate from RCC with two associate degrees—one in Social and Behavioral Sciences and another in Business. She will continue her academic journey at CSUSB, pursuing a bachelor's degree in Business.

Reflecting on her experience, Esmeralda hopes her story inspires others facing similar challenges. “Be brave and courageous. Follow your dreams. It will be difficult at first, but don’t give up. Break down those barriers and see the path to your success—you got this.”

The Rising Scholars program at RCC remains committed to supporting students like Esmeralda, proving that with the right resources, encouragement, and determination, anyone can rewrite their future.