CSUSB MBA alumnus Patrick Marshall, '23, an inmate rehabilitation manager for Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office, was the recipient of the prestigious Equity and Social Justice: Change Agent Award at the 2024 National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in American Higher Education (NCORE).

The award was presented to Marshall by Belinda Biscoe, senior associate vice president for University Outreach at The University of Oklahoma, and Anthony Natale, director of the Southwest Center for Human Relations Studies, home to NCORE, on May 30.

"Being the Equity and Social Justice: Change Agent of the Year means living a lifestyle of relentless advocacy, fearlessly championing the fundamental right to education for all, and tearing down systems of oppression that deny access to education,” Marshall said. “Most importantly, it means humbly recognizing that you can't do this work alone—you need the support of a community of fellow change agents. My community includes great college presidents, professors, and an amazing captain.”

According to NCORE’s announcement about the award, “Dr. Patrick Marshall's exceptional dedication to justice-involved individuals and visionary leadership in correctional reform have earned him this esteemed recognition. As the Inmate Rehabilitation Manager, Dr. Marshall has revolutionized the approach to rehabilitation and reintegration within the Santa Clara County Jail System.” Under his direction, the establishment and management of the College Collaborative System (CCS) has provided educational opportunities to numerous individuals who were previously denied access.

"The College Collaborative System dismantles the oppressive barriers that deny educational access to justice-involved individuals, particularly those who are Black, brown and marginalized. CCS empowers incarcerated students, giving them transformative influence over their futures," said Marshall, who exemplifies his commitment to higher education. In 2023, he graduated with a juris doctor from Monterey College of Law and an Executive MBA from CSUSB’s Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration.

CCS, a pioneering initiative dedicated to providing educational opportunities for incarcerated individuals, has seen significant growth. Marshall's vision and strategy for CCS has driven its growth from two colleges and two courses in 2020 to six colleges and over 20 different offerings today. His dedication to educational equity, combined with his deep understanding of the carceral system and criminal justice reform, has galvanized educators, correctional staff, administrators, policymakers and students, creating a network that supports and promotes the power of education as a catalyst for change.