Starlyn’s Story: Perseverance, Growth, and Educational Justice

When Starlyn (he/him) reached out to The Petey Greene Program in the fall of 2024, he was looking for help in a subject that challenges many students: calculus. Life, however, had other plans. Family hardships and medical issues forced him to pause his tutoring sessions and withdraw from the course. At first glance, that might look like a setback, but for Starlyn, it was an intentional choice to prioritize his well-being and prepare for the future.

Choosing Wellness, Choosing Growth

“While it may seem counterintuitive that a student who drops a class demonstrates a commitment to development, in Starlyn’s case, this was the reality,” explains Audrey Wilson, who nominated him for the Petey Greene Program’s inaugural Educational Excellence Award. Starlyn’s decision reflected wisdom: knowing he could not give calculus his best effort in that moment, he chose wellness so that he could come back stronger.

And come back he did. Before the spring 2025 semester, Starlyn reached out again, determined to give calculus another try. With the support of a PGP tutor, he attended his sessions consistently, stayed engaged, and ultimately passed the class. His journey shows that persistence is not about never stumbling; it’s about finding the strength to rise and continue forward.

Commitment to Education Amid Reentry Challenges

Starlyn is part of the Rutgers Newark Mountainview community, which supports formerly incarcerated students in their pursuit of higher education. Reentry itself is difficult, and adding the rigor of a college degree only multiplies the challenge. Yet Starlyn not only kept up with his coursework, but he also excelled. Notes from his tutor describe him as engaged, focused, and deeply committed to his goals.

“Starlyn navigated his coursework all while working to reestablish himself on the outside,” Audrey says. “The fact that he had done both successfully points to an individual committed to earning his degree and creating a new life for himself.”

Advancing Educational Justice

As a member of the Rutgers Newark Mountainview community, Starlyn embodies the ethos of educational justice. In a society that often stigmatizes the formerly incarcerated, he chose the harder path of pursuing a degree and encouraged his peers to do the same. His story is not just about individual achievement but about the power of collective support and resilience.

Starlyn’s perseverance, his willingness to seek help, and his ability to balance personal wellness with academic goals make him a model of holistic development. For these reasons, he is being honored at the 2025 Petey Greene Program’s Going Greene benefit, where he will receive the inaugural Petey Greene Program Educational Excellence Award and Scholarship.

Join us in person or virtually at Going Greene 2025 to see Starlyn accept the Petey Greene Program Educational Excellence Award and Scholarship. Get your tickets today!

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