Photos by Ralph Freso / Slideshow / Livestream
"There was so much trauma, I never imagined to be here,” said Rosa MonroeDuran just before her commencement ceremony on Wednesday at Grand Canyon University.
At 50 years old, after a life full of challenges, obstacles, and heartache, MonroeDuran discovered her worth, her strength, and ultimately, what she was meant to do with her life. "My husband always pushed me to finish my education, and in doing so, I found myself,” she said.
With the support of GCU trauma-informed care counselor Lyndz Simpson-Reblin, GCU online counselor Kim Henning and MonroeDuran's family watched her dream come true as she received her bachelor's degree in behavioral health.
MonroeDuran’s journey toward higher education was not a typical one.
She has navigated domestic violence in previous relationships, raised her family, and helped her husband re-enter society from past incarceration.
"My kids disowned me when they were teenagers because of the lifestyle I was living. My family disowned me. The only ones who stood by me were my mom and stepfather. But I kept working on myself and leaned on my faith. I never tried to convince anyone I’d changed; I showed them through my actions," said MonroeDuran, who has struggled through depression.
Education, she emphasized, is something no one can take away.
"When I lost everything – my home, my car, all the material things – the only thing I could hold on to was my education, and that’s what saved me. It gave me power, and strength, and showed me my worth."
Her husband served 30 years in prison from the time he was 17 years old. Through him, she realized the importance of second chances. She wanted to prove to people that they can contribute to society after incarceration.
But she realized she herself needed a second chance.
While supporting her husband, she struggled with her trauma as a victim of domestic violence. She realized, “I needed to invest in myself, too.”
She slowly chipped away at her classes, earning an associate degree in human services in California at American River College.
Then she felt like she hit a wall during her search for a university where she could continue her education. She hoped to transfer to Sacramento State, but it was not the right fit. Eventually, a colleague told her about GCU. “When I looked into it, I realized many of my credits were transferable, it was affordable, and I knew it was a perfect fit,” MonroeDuran said.
She enrolled at GCU in June 2022, and from that point on, her life changed dramatically.
"Through this journey, GCU has shown me my value," MonroeDuran said. The online platform allowed her to work at Folsom State Prison as a clinical services counselor in the adult system of care for substance use services while working on her degree.
In hopes of expanding her career options, she began applying for county jobs. Now, she works for Placer County along with securing a contract through a nonprofit organization with the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
“I do county work full time, eight to five, and then part-time, I have clients, you know, 10 clients a week and I was going to school,” MonroeDuran said.
Though balancing work, education and family life wasn't easy, her passion for prison reform and mental health, particularly for long-term incarcerated individuals, became a mission for her. She has seen firsthand that individuals who have been incarcerated for long periods have a better chance at rehabilitation than those who serve shorter sentences.
Her stepfather served 26 years in prison and has been a productive member of society since the day he was released in 2004. He now runs a nonprofit with her mother. MonroeDuran hopes to pay forward the impact her family has had on her life. “They have planted the seed in me, which plays a chapter in my life of where I am at.”
She added, “I do not know where I would be if I did not have them by my side, even at my worst, but now at my best."
Working in this field, she said she saw people who were incarcerated as teenagers and are still mentally stuck at that age when they are released. Though the field has many challenges, her husband reminds her that it is possible to recover from incarceration if you put in the work and use the resources provided to you.
During his time in prison, he turned to therapy and got connected with a solid support system. “He didn't wait until there were problems in the home,” MonroeDuran said. He took advantage of the tools during his incarceration and worked on himself.
"I can’t change people, but I can offer them tools. Whether they pick them up is their choice, but I’ll keep sharing them with those who want to learn,” MonroeDuran said.
She plans to continue working for the county, pursuing her passion for incarcerated citizens' mental health, and continue her education at GCU to receive her master's in social work.
“Helping people develop social skills through cognitive behavioral therapy has been one of the most fulfilling aspects of my work," MonroeDuran said.
Her faith was a cornerstone in her journey. "No matter how dark things got, God always showed me that He was there, waiting. When I finally surrendered, I realized He had never left my side – I was the one who kept Him away."
The Christian Worldview course was a pivotal class for MonroeDuran. Her professor, Eric Speir, impacted her faith during this class, which she thought would push the Bible. Instead, "It was about understanding God’s message and how to love people for who they are. It taught me to love others with compassion even without saying the word 'Jesus,' because His power comes through how we treat people."
Her faith empowers her to push through, finish her education, improve herself, and rely on the Lord to continue the healing process.
GCU student writer Leandra Lepp can be reached at [email protected]
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Also from fall commencement:
GCU News: Student’s reunion with teacher enriches her doctoral journey
GCU News: Her world grew bigger meeting these women online, then at commencement
GCU News: Student taking a second shot, this time as a nurse
