Desaree Edwards ’25 is a Posse Scholar with a background as a submarine veteran in the U.S. Navy. She is the recipient of the Harry S. Truman Foundation Scholarship, Pat Tillman Foundation Scholarship, and the Yale Law School Launchpad Scholars Program, among other honors. As a Peer College Success Mentor with the Center for Prison Education (CPE), Desaree serves as an academic resource to students with their coursework and continued foundational skill-building. She develops workshops and supports curriculum to supplement CPE coursework and aid in building foundational skills. She also supports first-time CPE Teaching Assistants working within the prison study hall space.
In what ways has your campus job contributed to your personal, academic, or professional growth and aspirations? What skills have you gained?
Working with the Wesleyan Center for Prison Education (CPE) has pushed me to grow in ways I didn’t expect. Connecting with students who are incarcerated made me rethink how I approach teaching and communication. I realized it wasn’t just about understanding the material I was helping with, it was about meeting students where they are, being patient, and understanding the challenges they face, like limited access to resources and the emotional toll of incarceration.
This experience has helped me become a better communicator. I’ve learned how to explain tough concepts in ways that make sense to different people from different educational backgrounds, and I’ve gotten better at adjusting my approach based on what each student needs. It’s also deepened my understanding of how systemic barriers, like incarceration, make education harder to access. This insight has fueled my desire to work as an attorney, where I can fight to remove those barriers and advocate for those who have been affected by the system.
Can you share any memorable experiences or achievements from your campus employment journey?
During the summer of my freshman year, I interned at a defense attorney’s office where I was involved with building cases for sentence modifications and commutations. I remember skimming through a file and being surprised to see a copy of a diploma from Wesleyan. I asked the attorney about the diploma and if having it would help the person with their commutation case. She told me that having that diploma could mean the difference between someone staying incarcerated and being set free. I remember thinking in that moment that I wanted to be a part of this program {the Center for Prison Education}, and I feel so grateful to have the opportunity to help with this mission.
How do you manage to balance your campus job with academic commitments and other activities?
I’m grateful for this job opportunity, but my biggest priority is my academics. I made sure to front load my schedule in my freshman and sophomore years to ensure that I would have the time to explore other opportunities as a senior. Even as a STEM major, I’ve been able to be involved in a variety of different programs because I developed an overarching plan my freshman year and then updated it before each semester.
What advice would you give to students who are seeking or starting their campus employment journey?
My best advice for students starting their campus employment journey is to explore a variety of opportunities. Don’t be afraid to try different roles, even those outside your comfort zone or immediate interests. When you find something you enjoy, seek similar opportunities to build skills and deepen your experience in that area. It’s also perfectly okay to step away from positions that don’t align with your future goals. Remember, learning what you don’t enjoy is just as valuable as discovering what you do enjoy.
Give your campus job supervisor(s) a shout out – what did you love about their mentorship?
The entire {Center for Prison Education} CPE team is so amazing and passion driven. They care deeply about this work, and work hard to make sure that each student employee has the resources they need to do their job well. I feel grateful to have the opportunity to learn from them.
Updated January 21, 2025.
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