Great Basin College
Contact
Becky Coleman, Director
Phone: 775-327-8200
Email: becky.coleman@gbcnv.edu
Prospective students should talk to the inmate college clerk to obtain application and initial information.
Great Basin College began a prison education program at Lovelock Correctional Center in Fall 2012. In 2023 it became a Second Chance Pell Experimental Site and now serves close to 70 students a semester. Students work toward a Certificate of Achievement in General Business then continue on to an Associate of General Studies and/or an Associate of Applied Science degree in Business Administration.
GBC also offers a limited program at the Ely State Prison.
“What made me want to get my degree was my desire to create a better future for myself and wanting to feel that sense of accomplishment. I’m hoping that even though I will have to check that ‘Have you ever been convicted of a felony?’ box, employers will also see that I worked hard to turn my life around by pursuing a higher education.” — Larry Triguero (pictured left)
As Seen in Great Basin Sun
Great Basin College/Lovelock Correctional Center student art
“Our ability to provide Pell grants not only opened doors for our students while incarcerated at LCC but has provided a path to finishing degrees post-release,” Becky Coleman, the program’s director said, citing the experience of Larry Triguero, who became a GBC student while incarcerated at the Lovelock Correctional Center and, after he was released in January, continued taking online classes and completed his Associates of Arts degree.
“I am personally so proud of [Larry], because it is very hard to navigate the whole process of reintegrating to “life on the outside” and to have the mental/emotional presence to finish your education,” Coleman said.
Triguero returned the praise: “The most helpful person was Becky Coleman. She fought really hard behind the scenes to make sure we got funded, approved, and had everything we needed to be successful.
She encouraged me to earn my degree, and here I am. I just needed that extra push!”
Congratulations, all!
Great Basin College/Lovelock 2023 graduates. Back L to R: Byron Fore, Richard Martino, Timothy Flanagan
Front L to R: Julio Robles, Jonathan Bukuku-Bey, Kevin Taylor.
