Recruiters earn high marks with college outreach

CDCR recruiters finished their fall College Outreach Program (COP) with resounding success, according to the Peace Officer Recruitment Unit.

Through COP, recruiters showcased the professional career opportunities within the department to thousands of students across the state. The program strengthens relationships with institutions and higher education, which are key pipelines for recruiting the next generation of dedicated CDCR staff.

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Recruiters shift college outreach program model

The success of the fall COP was achieved through a modified budget-conscious hybrid program developed by the Peace Officer Recruitment Unit.

Instead of requiring recruiters travel to college campuses, this new cost-savings approach focuses on bringing college students to the institutions.

The core change was a shift to a tour-only format with the recruitment presentation delivered while actively touring the facility. This new strategy ensured CDCR recruiters could still engage students with crucial career information while also offering real-world context.

Lauren Hieb, recruitment analyst and college outreach program lead coordinator, highlighted the program’s adaptability.

“We had to pivot quickly due to (the) budget, but the hybrid (touring) model became a real strength,” Hieb said. “By having students tour the facilities while we delivered the presentation, we created a high-impact, interactive experience that is impossible to replicate in a classroom setting. The level of engagement and interest from the students was incredible to see.”

This tour-based model proved highly effective, allowing the program to continue its vital mission.

Professor Jennifer Medel, of the University of the Pacific, toured the California Health Care Facility (CHCF) and praised the program’s impact.

“My primary goal is to connect education with employment. CDCR’s outreach program successfully demonstrated the breadth of professional careers available, from clinical and administrative roles to specialized public safety positions. It showed my students that a degree in their field can directly translate to a rewarding career path in CDCR,” she said.

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CDCR recruiters expand outreach across California

Throughout the fall semester, CDCR recruitment teams engaged with students and faculty from a diverse group of 20 colleges and universities. These ranged from community colleges to four-year public and private institutions. This expansive outreach effort connected CDCR with students pursuing various degrees relevant to correctional careers, including criminal justice, social work, business, and psychology.

Participating colleges and universities included:

• Diablo Valley College
• Chabot College
• San Joaquin Delta College
• Palomar College
• Lemoore College
• California State University, Fresno
• Chaffey College
• University of California, Merced
• Long Beach City College
• San Diego State University (two events)
• Sierra College
• University of the Pacific
• La Sierra University
• California State University, Los Angeles
• Folsom Lake College (two events)

The collaboration between CDCR and educators ensures the curriculum aligns with real-world needs. Professor Tania Mejia-O’Donnell, of San Diego State University, toured Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility.

“By fostering this relationship, we can better align our curriculum to meet the current professional standards and needs of CDCR, ensuring our graduates are truly workforce ready,” she said.

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Inside the Institutions: Tours go behind the walls

The core of the fall college outreach program success was offering controlled tours at correctional facilities. These tours, lasting approximately two to three hours, provided students and faculty with a firsthand reality-based perspective of CDCR operations.

The tours also help dispel misconceptions while illustrating the professional environment. Key topics of discussion incorporated into the tour included correctional officer job duties, salary, promotional opportunities, specialized units, and the application process.

A total of 13 institutions were included in the tour schedule, offering geographical diversity and exposure to various mission types.

Tours were offered at the following correctional facilities:

• Avenal State Prison
• California Medical Facility in Vacaville
• CSP-Sacramento in Folsom
• California Health Care Facility in Stockton
• California Institution for Men in Chino and California Institution for Women in Corona
• Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla
• Folsom State Prison
• Mule Creek State Prison in Ione
• Richard A. McGee Correctional Training Center in Galt
• Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego
• San Quentin Rehabilitation Center
• Sierra Conservation Center in Jamestown

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Feedback on institution tours

California State University, Fresno, Work-Based Learning Coordinator Chi Chang, was impressed after touring the training center.

“The tour of the correctional facility was eye-opening for my students. It moved the conversation beyond media portrayals and allowed them to see the complexity and professionalism required for modern correctional operations. It’s an invaluable addition to their textbook learning,” said Change.

The success of the tours relied heavily on the support and expertise of the institutional public information officers and CDCR recruitment teams.

Lt. Adam Garvey, information officer and CDCR Recruitment Lead at RJ Donovan, provided three tours.

He said hosting the tours is the best way to show prospective employees the reality of the work.

“When they see the integration of safety and rehabilitation efforts firsthand, the lightbulb goes off. It is the most effective recruitment tool we have,” Garvey said.

Similarly, Lt. Scott Boyack of the training center recruitment team led four tours.

“(The touring model) works because it guarantees students are highly engaged and invested in the visit,” he said.

This helps turn curiosity into concrete applications.

Additionally, Sgt. Brandon Jones and Officer Courtney Herrera with California Medical Facility also supported two tours. Both said they enjoyed showing students the specialized units.

“(The attendees) leave with a far greater appreciation for the diversity of roles and career longevity CDCR offers,” they said.

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College offers pipeline for professional careers

The fall COP’s success is measured by the increased engagement and interest from students who are now exploring CDCR as a viable and rewarding career path.

Specifically, over 500 students participated in the fall 2025 college outreach program, with each one signing up for the CDCR recruitment mailing list.

This 100-percent conversion rate underscores the effectiveness of the tour model in generating strong interest in CDCR careers.

The direct exposure successfully broke down stereotypes about correctional careers and highlighted the breadth of career paths.

By providing direct access to recruitment staff, information about the application process, and educational tours, CDCR is actively building a talent pipeline that will supply the department with skilled, college-educated professionals for years to come.

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Future Focused: Spring 2026 invitation

The successful fall 2025 touring model will be continued into the spring 2026 semester.

The Peace Officer Recruitment Unit (PORU) is formally inviting colleges to participate in the upcoming program, which aims to bridge the gap between classroom lectures and real-world applications.

Danny Royster, PORU Recruitment Manager and creator of the college outreach program, predicts the program will continue to grow.

“The success of the fall (touring) program proves flexibility and innovation can overcome budget challenges while maintaining quality. We are excited by the student response and are looking forward to the spring 2026 semester, where we plan to continue expanding this vital talent pipeline for CDCR,” he said.

With over 40 colleges participating statewide in previous cycles, the tour-only format with integrated presentation offers a high-impact, efficient experience.

Selection remains on a first-come, first-serve basis and is dependent upon institution availability. The CDCR recruitment team looks forward to continuing and expanding this vital pipeline of skilled, college-educated professionals.

Submitted by the Peace Officer Recruitment Unit

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