James Elliot, the international president of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, will speak to students at Brookhaven College on Sept. 17, 1:30-2:50 p.m. in the Performance Hall, about his journey from prison to student leadership. When James was 19 years old, he was incarcerated for his part in an armed robbery. He spent the next six years behind bars.
James' time in prison changed everything for him. He took college correspondence courses and began serving others in the prison through his work as a chaplain's assistant. He is a passionate advocate for higher education in prison, and he shares his story to inspire and empower others to overcome social stigmas. Today, James is pursuing a double degree in human services and drug and alcohol counseling and has plans to become a civil rights attorney.
"I have seen first hand the individuals affected by mass incarceration," he said. "I love to help others because I know that I would not be where I am today if it wasn't for those that helped me. I want to make the world a better place and spread more equity to individuals who are being locked out of society."
This event is free and open to the public. Brookhaven College is located at 3939 Valley View Lane in Farmers Branch. For additional information, contact the college at 972-860-4700. This presentation is part of a speaker series to support free speech and the exchange of ideas funded by the Department of Education, Title V, p0315150018.