David Carrillo
Adams State University
Denver, CO USA
"Through education, through change—through real change—there’s opportunity."
Career Roadmap
David's work combines: Education, Law, and Teaching / Mentoring
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
Associate's Degree
Paralegal Studies
The Paralegal Institute
Bachelor's Degree
Business Administration and Management
Adams State University
Graduate Degree
Business Administration and Management
Adams State University
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
I entered the prison system at age 19 with a life sentence.
2.
Earning my first certificate in paralegal studies sparked a pride I’d never felt before and lit a fire in me to keep learning.
3.
I found purpose and developed a sense of leadership teaching inside prison and building reentry programs.
4.
With family support and scholarships, I was able to continue my education while in prison.
5.
I earned my master's degree in business while incarcerated, despite no access to classrooms or computers, and handwrote my papers during COVID lockdowns.
6.
I became the first currently incarcerated person in the U.S. hired to teach college courses to others serving time.
7.
After being granted clemency, I walked out of prison—just months later, I walked back in as a professor.
8.
Now I teach microeconomics to students across multiple prisons, Zooming in from my home office and proving that change is real.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Myself:
Going to prison and leading others to prison is all I have to offer.
How I responded:
When I first went to prison, I was involved in the gang politics and essentially helped lead people into prison. For a while, I thought that was the best I had to offer. I eventually decided to make a change and help lead people out instead. I pursued education, worked hard to earn my degrees, and found purpose leading and teaching other incarcerated individuals.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I consider myself a "state raised baby." I grew up in the foster care system from the age of 11 and was in and out of juvenile detention centers from California to Colorado.
I went to prison at age 19 with a life sentence. I spent my time pursuing education and bettering myself. I was granted clemency and released from prison in 2024. I continue to help others like me by teaching college courses across multiple prisons.