University of San Diego Receives Federal Funding to Support Justice-Impacted Students
The University of San Diego (USD) has been awarded $927,000 in federal Community Project Funding secured by Representative Sara Jacobs (CA-51) as part of more than $14 million directed to San Diego-area projects.
The funding will support USD’s JusticeForward: Safer Students Workforce Initiative, a program that prepares justice-impacted students for meaningful careers in the criminal justice sector. By leveraging students’ lived experiences, the initiative aims to strengthen workforce pathways, contribute to safer communities and lower recidivism rates.
The JusticeForward Initiative builds upon USD’s Torero Urban Scholars program, which supports undergraduate, graduate and transfer students on their journeys from prison to higher education. Now in its fifth year, the program currently serves more than 20 students and is expected to see steady growth due to the large number of students interested in transfer opportunities. A primary focus of the program is the long-term social and economic mobility of its students by helping launch them into fulfilling careers. Approximately 60% of Torero Urban Scholars have chosen educational and career pathways aligned with justice-system work.
“JusticeForward recognizes that justice-impacted students with lived experience bring invaluable insight to the justice system,” said Austin Galy, co-founder of the Torero Urban Scholars program. “It empowers them to turn those experiences into professional expertise that can drive positive change within their community.”
Through JusticeForward, students will be prepared for roles within the justice system through a mix of on-campus academics and off-campus practice opportunities. Each student will complete at least one paid, semester-long practicum with a justice system agency or organization aligned with their career interests, while also receiving student support services that will allow them to translate both their on-campus and off-campus experience into career opportunities within the justice system.
In addition, USD’s Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice (IPJ) will lead research to identify barriers that limit the integration of individuals with lived experience into the justice workforce and develop actionable recommendations to address them. The Kroc IPJ will work with community leaders, police, probation officers, corrections officers and government officials, to implement these recommendations, benefiting justice-impacted students throughout San Diego County.
The JusticeForward Initiative is one of 14 community projects across California’s 51st Congressional District selected for funding, with proposals submitted by local governments and nonprofit organizations. For USD, the funding advances the university’s commitment to social justice, access to education and community engagement that create lasting impact beyond campus.