Prison to Purpose: SDSU Student's Journey of Resilience and Community Leadership

Gustavo “Tavo” Vega doesn’t believe in a second chance — he believes in lots of them. 

"Sometimes you get a chance to change and it doesn’t happen, but that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve another," Vega said. 

“I believe in all the chances you can get,” said Vega, who spent much of his young adult life in state prison, first on a charge of attempted murder and later doing seven years to life for murder and attempted murder charges connected to prison violence. 

Vega turned his life around while incarcerated and used education as the fulcrum to make the change: He earned multiple associate degrees, alcohol and drug Studies certificates and led self-help programs while in Ironwood State Prison in Blythe. 

Then, he used one of his “chances” — parole after serving 22 years of his sentence — to pursue higher education through San Diego State University’s Project Rebound, a special admissions and support program for students transitioning out of prisons and jails. 

Today, Vega, who goes by “Tavo,” is pursuing his master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling and serves as Project Rebound’s outreach coordinator and a mentor for Homework SD, a group for formerly incarcerated individuals that promotes life skills and civic engagement. 

For his efforts, Vega was recently honored by 79th District Assemblymember Akilah Weber, D-La Mesa, the California State Assembly 79th District 2023 Latino Heritage Month Community Leader.

“As a part of my office’s Community Recognitions Program, Gustavo “Tavo” Vega was one of the nominees for the Community Leader Award in recognition of Latino Heritage Month,” Weber said in a statement. “I am happy to select Tavo for this award because of his clear passion for community service and his dedication to mentorship and volunteerism.”

Vega said he was honored by the recognition. 

“As I received the recognition for community leader, for me, it was not an individual award,” Vega said. “I consider Dr. Akilah Weber embracing and acknowledging the contributions of us formerly incarcerated people. 

“I epitomize the adage, ‘It takes a village.’ My family, Project Rebound, Homework SD, and others that have helped me along the way are a foundation of who I am,” Vega said. 

Alan Mobley, the executive director of the Center for Transformative Justice, which oversees Project Rebound, echoed Vega’s sentiments and said he hopes that others can find inspiration from Vega’s story. 

“We greatly appreciate the recognition of the hard work and dedication of Tavo and Project Rebound and its students and staff, both because the recognition is well-deserved, and also because these affirmations of value can inspire others in our campus community to discover the potential gifts in their own wounds, whatever the source,” Mobley said. 

Vega is one of several Project Rebound participants — 72 at SDSU this year — who have recently been honored for their achievements in the classroom and beyond. Jahaziel Sanchez was one of 23 students in the California State University system recognized with the CSU Trustees' Award for Outstanding Achievement, and another student, Cesar Lopez, was named to the 2023 Homecoming Court. 

“Besides being about excellence in higher education, in many ways, Project Rebound belongs in the tradition of ‘wounded healers,’” Mobley said. “Rather than carry bitterness and cast blame, Rebound Scholars are transforming suffering and shame into positive contribution and achievement. This rare and amazing transformation happens within a context of community and love.”

Vega agreed. 

“This is not luck. Rebound students have been vocal about our challenges and desires, we have been proactive with our goals, and we are immersing ourselves in society,” Vega said. “We are taxpayers, community leaders, entrepreneurs, family and scholars of higher education.”