Written by Siri Mudunuri ’26
On October 9, 2025, the Second Chance Initiative at NC State, a student organization founded by Park Scholars in the Class of 2026, hosted From Prison to Community: A Re-Entry Simulation. Held in partnership with OurJourney and several NC State departments, the immersive experience was designed to highlight the complex journey of re-entering society after incarceration.
The event brought together students, faculty, and community partners to engage in a hands-on re-entry simulation and hold meaningful dialogue about systemic barriers within the criminal justice system. Participants navigated through real-life challenges such as housing, transportation, employment and parole, gaining firsthand insight into the obstacles that formerly incarcerated individuals face every day.
Origin and Vision: The Park Scholars’ Legacy Project
This initiative was started in collaboration with the Park Scholarships Class of 2026 legacy project, which originated during the cohort’s Learning Lab II experience in Washington, D.C. During this trip, scholars explored criminal justice policy in the United States, meeting with policymakers, nonprofit leaders and formerly incarcerated individuals to better understand how policy decisions affect real people. Through these conversations, the class engaged with topics such as access to legal representation, racial and ethnic disparities, rehabilitative services, prison conditions, and reintegration barriers.
The experience deeply moved the cohort, and the Scholars moved forward to create a lasting contribution at NC State to help support re-entry and prison education efforts. This vision resulted in the Second Chance Initiative at NC State, a student-led organization dedicated to informing and engaging the campus community about the realities of incarceration, re-entry and justice-impacted lives. Through education, dialogue and outreach, SCI strives to address and raise awareness about the barriers faced by incarcerated individuals. SCI also strives to foster collaboration across campus and the broader community to promote meaningful, equitable change.
Post-Simulation Panel Discussion and Key Partnerships
The re-entry simulation exemplified that mission and served as a successful kickoff event for the Second Chance Initiative and future efforts at NC State. After participants experienced the simulation hosted by OurJourney, they engaged in a panel discussion featuring leaders from across the country. Panelists included Kathie Klarreich, Founder and Executive Director of Exchange for Change, Joshua Stencil, Founder and Executive Director of Living with Convictions, Dr. Kebbler Williams, Assistant Superintendent of Education for the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, and Brian Scott, Executive Director of OurJourney.
Together, they shared personal stories and professional insights that underscored the transformative power of education, policy reform and community partnerships in supporting successful re-entry.
Also in attendance was Anna Stein, the First Lady of North Carolina, whose leadership on the North Carolina Joint Reentry Council and dedication to rehabilitation and education efforts reflect a deep commitment to improving reentry outcomes across the state. Mrs. Stein’s presence underscored the shared mission between state leaders and community advocates to remove barriers and build pathways for successful reintegration.
Continuing the Momentum and Call to Action
The event’s success demonstrated the growing momentum around re-entry awareness at NC State, and the Second Chance Initiative aims to continue building on this progress through educational programming, advocacy work, and collaborations with local and national organizations.
By bringing together scholars, community leaders, and justice-impacted voices, the group hopes to help shift public understanding and drive systemic change. In the days that followed, the Class of 2026 Legacy Committee and SCI carried this momentum forward by continuing conversations with leaders across campus and the broader community to explore new ways to sustain and expand the impact of re-entry education and advocacy at NC State.
Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to stay connected through the Get Involved page or by following @scincsu on Instagram.
The simulation reminded everyone that meaningful change begins when understanding turns into action and when communities come together to ensure everyone gets a true second chance. With this momentum, the Second Chance Initiative at NC State is excited to continue sparking conversations, building partnerships, and inspiring action across NC State and beyond.