Diana Greer (she, her, hers) is the Program Coordinator for Underground Scholars. She was born and raised in South Central Los Angeles. She is a proud first-generation student who is breaking generational curses in her family and community that have been affected by the school to prison pipeline and mass incarceration. She attended Cal State Fullerton where she received her B.A in English with a minor in Chicano Studies. Thereafter, attended USC where she received her Master’s in Educational Counseling. Her goal is to obtain a doctoral degree so she can continue her research on the children of incarcerated parents, while teaching inside prisons and juvenile halls. When Diana was a few weeks old, both her parents became incarcerated, and their recidivism lasted throughout her life span. Through the power of education, she was able to liberate both her parents and end their recidivism. Both her parents are now college graduates ready to transfer to a university, and she hopes to continue helping formerly incarcerated students accomplish their college and career goals. She enjoys creating and performing poetry with her daughter Ariel, as a part of restorative justice practice.

Alberto Lule is currently an MFA candidate at UC Irvine’s Claire Trevor School of the Arts. Alberto is formerly incarcerated, he was paroled from a California prison in 2016 after 13 years of incarceration. Lule recently graduated from UCLA with a Bachelor’s degree in Art and a Minor in Visual and Performing Arts Education. Lule’s leadership role at UCLA was being co-chair of The Underground Scholars Initiative Student Organization and Outreach coordinator for the Bruin Underground Scholars Program at UCLA. Currently, Lule has been named one of the Outreach/Inreach Coordinators for The Underground Scholars Program at UC Irvine.

Ryan’s research interests center on creating pathways for formerly incarcerated individuals into higher education, and analyzing the evolution of programs that serve formerly incarcerated students within the university system. Ryan uses his lived experience as a formerly incarcerated student to guide his research, developing tangible findings and methods to best serve this demographic’s needs within university and re-entry services across California.

Ryan has been a part of the Underground Scholars program since his release from New Folsom State Prison in 2015. Ryan founded the Gaucho Underground Scholars Program at the University of California, Santa Barbara while completing his bachelor’s degree in sociology with a minor in education. There, he played a critical role in the leadership and statewide expansion of the Underground Scholars Programs, now active on almost every University of California campus.

Ryan has won many prestigious awards, including the Circle of excellence scholarship from the University of San Diego. One of the highest honors during his time at UCSB was the distinguished Michael D. Young Engaged Scholars Award, highlighting how Ryan built an entire program from the ground floor up to serve formerly incarcerated students’ needs. This is now a fully institutionalized program funded by the state of California. Ryan’s writing has been published in a variety of newspapers, as well as in the book Reclaiming Our Stories. His work is a testament to the power of formerly incarcerated students, which he has worked to produce a theory called ‘Organic Leadership’ demonstrating how formerly incarcerated people continue to produce new solutions, assist in healing, and create sustainable pathways that uplift entire communities.

Lisandra Barrera-Rising is a junior transfer student from Santa Barbara City College and plans to
graduate with her B.A. in Social Policy & Public Service. As a former athlete in her youth, her
education was delayed due to a prolonged struggle with opiate addiction and a decade-long
involvement in the criminal justice system. After being introduced to the Underground Scholars
program on campus, she found a supportive community and discovered her passion for helping
similar students succeed in higher education. Today, Lisandra attends the University of
California, Irvine and currently serves as the Recruitment Coordinator for the Underground
Scholars Program at UCI.

Ananda Van Boeyen grew up as a first-generation, immigrant and low-income student. She chose to complete her Master of Social Work, having experienced first-hand the power of mentorship and having someone believe in your dreams, dignity, and worth. Ananda has spent over 15 years working with families, early intervention mental health services, the unhoused, survivors of domestic violence, immigration detainees, and reentry services. Ananda currently works at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility, supporting UCI students who are currently incarcerated. She has previously worked with Theo Lacy Facility, Santa Ana City Jail, and James A, Musick Facility. Ananda is passionate about creating a sense of community and belonging for all students while helping them find their voice and power. Ananda loves the outdoors, whether it is hiking, the beach, or napping under the sun. She enjoys being a mother, listening to music, attending concerts and festivals, reading, running, working out, listening to podcasts, and road trips.

Ananda is available to support Underground Scholars connect with on-campus and off-campus resources, retention support, wellness support, and professional and personal development. Please get in touch with Ananda at avanboey@uci.edu with questions and for support. You can also find Ananda on campus at the Transfer Student Center, 2100 Student Services II building.