Jessica Anne Summers has always wanted to get a bachelor’s degree, but life got in the way of finishing — surviving an abusive marriage, raising four children, working, and then there was incarceration.
For several years, Summers served time in federal institutions in West Virginia, Illinois, and Florida. She was released in October 2021.
Two months later, she was immediately back in a classroom.
Jessica Anne Summers
“And I haven’t stopped since,” said Summers, 48, who is working to earn her bachelor’s degree in sociology with an emphasis in community health at Southern New Hampshire University. “I promised my mother a long time ago that I’d get my degree to become the first person in our family to do so. When I came home, I immediately enrolled because I was going to keep that promise.”
To help Summers reach the finish line, Adler University’s Institute on Public Safety and Social Justice (IPSSJ) named her as one of three recipients of this year’s Quintana Last Mile Scholarship, which supports students who are currently or formerly incarcerated who need funds to complete a course of study.
This year’s recipients are:
- Jessica Anne Summers, Southern New Hampshire University, $5,000.
- Joseph Mapp, University of Chicago, $10,000.
- Orlando Mayorga, University of Chicago, $10,000.
In addition to being a full-time student, Summers is a co-founder of the Fenix Collective, a nonprofit that empowers women, girls, BIPOC, and LGBTQA+ who, like her, are returning from incarceration. However, despite working full-time, making ends meet, including paying for school, can be challenging.
“This scholarship is such a blessing and an honor,” said Summers. “This means that my student debt won’t be as much, which will greatly benefit me when I begin repayment. This will help me get to the end of my junior year and into the home stretch.”
After earning her bachelor’s degree in sociology, Summers said she plans to immediately pursue a master’s degree in social work and, ultimately, a doctorate.
Dr. Quintana
“This scholarship is not just about financial support, it’s about recognizing the resilience and determination of individuals who have faced significant challenges and are committed to transforming their lives through education,” said IPSSJ Executive Director Elena Quintana, Ph.D. “By investing in their journey and their education, we’re also investing in a more just and equitable future for our communities.”
The scholarship was established by two family members of Quintana’s who share the dedication to supporting education for individuals who have experienced incarceration.
To be eligible for the Quintana Last Mile Scholarship, recipients must be currently or formerly incarcerated, with preference given to those within two semesters of coursework. Funds are only made payable to educational institutions or loan service providers to cover the cost of course credits, student fees, or other school-related fees.
This year’s recipients all expressed their passion and goal to help others who have experienced incarceration.
“I believe that my past experiences have given me a unique perspective and a profound sense of responsibility to support and care for all individuals impacted by incarceration,” said Mayorga in his application. “I have seen firsthand the struggles and obstacles that individuals face upon reentering society, and I am determined to be a voice for those who may feel unheard or marginalized.”
Mayorga, who was released from Danville Correctional Center in 2017, earned his master’s degree in social work in May 2024 and currently serves as executive director for the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission, an advisory group responsible for administering federal juvenile justice grants and advising the governor and General Assembly on matters of juvenile justice.
“Education is a powerful tool for driving positive social change and empowering individuals to create a more inclusive and compassionate society,” Mayorga said.
For Mapp, who is pursuing a master’s degree in social work at the University of Chicago, his motivation is also deeply rooted in his personal experiences and the support he received during challenging times.
“I aim to foster peaceful and thriving communities,” said Mapp in his application, who was released in 2020 from Murphysboro Life Skills Re-Entry Center. “By studying social work and public policy, I will gain a deep understanding of the systemic issues that contribute to inequality, equipping me to advocate for policies that promote equitable access to education, health care, and economic opportunities in underserved communities.”
Summers echoed both sentiments in her pursuit of higher education.
“People who have experienced incarceration are often looked down upon, discriminated against, and seen as less than,” she said. “Earning my degree will get me into places that need to hear our voices. I am doing everything I can to redeem the time I lost with my loved ones and to show the world that I am not the sum of my bad choices. I am so honored by this gift from IPSSJ.”