Michael Griggs

Michael Griggs, an incoming Ph.D. student in the UCLA Social Welfare Department, is a justice-impacted scholar-activist whose educational journey began inside a California prison. This experience fueled his passion for criminal justice reform, leading him to work with community-based organizations throughout the state, particularly focusing on juvenile justice issues. He brings a unique perspective shaped by both his academic achievements – a BA in Social Justice from Pitzer College and an MSW from CSU San Bernardino – and firsthand knowledge of the system. His research interests center on educational equity within prison programs, ensuring access to college opportunities for incarcerated individuals, and achieving parity between the educational experiences offered inside and outside prison walls.