Benjamin Osborn
鈥� Sociology
Benjamin Osborn believes everyone has a purpose, but some people must travel a long, tough road to find it. In his case, it took about 30 years, including 21 of incarceration and several more navigating through life while carrying the heaviness of labels: convict, felon, justice-impacted.
Still, he persevered and earned his GED in 2022 at the age of 48.
鈥淭hat was a big moment for me,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 knew I couldn鈥檛 stop there. I had to keep going. So, I came to 杏吧传媒, still searching, still trying to figure out who I was supposed to be.鈥�
This spring, Osborn, now 50, graduates from 杏吧传媒 with honors and associate degrees for transfer in sociology and liberal arts, including behavioral and social sciences and arts and humanities. He has been selected as one of two graduates to address the Class of 2026 during the commencement ceremony on May 22.
鈥淭he main reason I was so successful is that 杏吧传媒 never judged me on my past,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he campus let me prove my merit by the hard work and commitment I threw at my classwork and service as a student ambassador.鈥�
Osborn said being a student ambassador gave him a new perspective, operating within the system, and helped him stay motivated to graduate. He found support through student services, including EOPS, RISE and Transfer & Career Services, which connected him to the . There, he received leadership training.
鈥淭hrough education, I found my freedom. I found a place where I belong. And more importantly,
I found my purpose,鈥� Osborn said. 鈥淚 realized that I鈥檓 meant to serve the justice-impacted
community鈥� to be a voice for those who are often overlooked and underestimated.鈥�
Osborn plans to attend California State University, East Bay and has a long-term goal
of obtaining a master鈥檚 degree to teach or become an academic counselor.