Wilson Rivera's
Graduation & List of Accomplishments
Below is a list of self help, correspondence and educational courses Wilson has completed during his incarceration, including his Associates and Bachelor's Degree from Calvin University. While looking at Wilson's accomplishments, please know that he has never attended High School and only had a 7th grade education. Although Wilson has never been to High School, he earned his Bachelor's Degree, graduated Magna Cum Laude, with Honors and Distinction, and graduated with a 3.93 GPA. Also keep in mind, he has been able to accomplish everything despite his environment, obstacles he has faced over the years, and even throughout the Pandemic when he caught COVID-19 and could barely breathe or move without being in pain. Wilson Rivera is the TRUE definition of accomplishment!
CONGRATULATIONS WILSON - WELL DONE!
Nearly 30 years, as a 19 year old, Wilson entered prison with a 4th grade equivalence in math and a 6th grade equivalence in vocabulary. On May 5th, 2023, Wilson accepted his Bachelor's Degree from Calvin University by way of the Calvin Prison Initiative, with a GPA of 3.93.
The Calvin Prison Initiative is a five year program that provides a Christian Liberal Arts education to inmates at the Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility. Part of Calvin University's objective is to help change the prison culture to one that gives inmates, like Wilson, an opportunity to develop their potentials through education and programs, then send these students out to other facilities to help initiate and facilitate such programs. Below you can read about some of Wilson's accomplishments.
Wilson's Graduation Speech!
Wilson graduated Magna Cum Laude with Honors and Distinction. He was also hand selected to write and give a speech for the graduation ceremony. Please click the link below and listen as he addresses his fellow graduates, Calvin University professors, and MDOC Staff.
https://youtu.be/2DDz-5e7e70
"God Behind Bars" | The Henry Institute & The Calvin Prison Initiative | Calvin University
The Henry Institute partnered with the Calvin Prison Initiative (CPI) for a lecture on "God Behind Bars: A Conversation About Faith, Incarceration and the Public Square." Here you can hear about Wilson's educational journey and how the CPI program helped him.
Calvin University Bachelor Degree Ceremony
Wilson receiving his Bachelor's degree from Calvin University president, Wiebe Boer.
Senator Mark Huizenga presenting Wilson with a Letter of Legislative Honor "in recognition of outstanding achievement" for successfully completing his course of study prescribed by Calvin University.
Calvin University English professor, David Urban, congratulates Wilson as he bestows upon him Calvin University's Collegiate Scholars Medallion, worn by students who have fulfilled the requirements to graduate with distinction. Requirements include community engagement activities and a cumulative GPA of 3.65 or higher.
The maroon and gold cord worn by Wilson are bestowed upon students who have earned the Latin honors designation "magna cum laude," having a minimum GPA 3.8. Wilson graduated with a GPA of 3.93.
Wilson's Accomplishments While in Calvin University's CPI Program:
- Calvin University: Bachelor of Arts Degree (2023)
- Calvin University: Associate of Arts Degree (2021)
- Calvin University: Certificate in Faith and Community Leadership (2019)
Calvin University's Dean List Letters:
- May 19, 2023
- March 7, 2023
- June 10, 2022
- January 25, 2022
- July 19, 2021
- April 1, 2021
- June 10, 2020
Between 2018-2025, Wilson Participated in:
- Calvin University: CPI Program: Theology Club (2018-2025)
- Calvin University: CPI Program: Restorative Justice Club (2018-2025)
- Calvin University: CPI Program: Student Voice Council (Serving as it's first president from 2021-2023) (Click the link below to read the 2024 published report: Beyond Access: Advancing Racial Equality and Inclusion in Prison Education Programs) https://www.vera.org/publications/beyond-access
- Calvin University: CPI Program: Jubilee Fellows (2021)
- Calvin University: CPI Program: Compassion Class (2018)
Wilson's Additional MDOC & Self-Help Accomplishments
- Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs, a group program facilitated by LCF Psychology Dept) (2025-2026)
- Chance for Life (CFL Inside): (Completed 3 out of 6 months of the program prior to being transferred to become a MDOC Legal Writer at another facility) (2025-2026)
- Lakeland Correctional Facility - Paws With A Cause: Dog Handler Program (2026-2026)
- Certificate of Completion: Digital Learning/Computer Literacy (2025); (with over 190 hours of hands on computer training) course material included: TOSA DIGComp Certificate, Certificate of Completion: Money Smart (Financial Edu.), Sequin's Computer Concepts (96%), and Sequin's Computer Applications (97%).
- Certificate of Completion: Mental Health Awareness 101 (2025)
- Certificate of Completion: Grief and Loss (2025)
- Certificate of Completion: Houses of Healing (2025)
- Certificate of Completion: Chance for Life Re-Entry (2025)
- Certificate of Achievement: Power of the Grind (2025)
- Certificate of Achievement: Civic Engagement Training (2025)
- Certificate of Achievement: Cognitive Gang Intervention (2025)
- Certificate of Completion: Straight Street Addiction Recovery Program (2024)
- MDOC: Certificate of Completion: Violence Prevention Program - VPP (2024)
- MDOC: Certificate of Completion: Michigan Domestic Violence Prevention Program - MiDVP (2023)
- Certificate of Appreciation (Provisional Member) - Henry Ford College: Phi Theta Kappa (2023)
- Certificate of Completion - Criminon: The Learning Skills for Life Course (2022)
- Certificate of Completion - Criminon: The Way to Happiness Course (2021)
- Certificate of Completion: Herbert W. Armstrong Bible College (2020)
- Certificate of Participation: Montcalm Community College: Hygiene Facts (2016)
- Certificate of Participation: Montcalm Community College: Employment Interviewing Skills (2016)
- Certificate of Participation: Montcalm Community College: Budgeting Skills (2016)
- Certificate of Participation: Montcalm Community College: Communication Team Building (2016)
- Certificate of Recognition - Grand Valley State University: Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program (2015)
- MDOC: Certificate of Achievement: Legal Writer Training (2013)
- MDOC: Certificate of completion: Prisoner Observation Aide Program (2013)
- Certificate of Achievement - University of Michigan PCAP Program (2013)
- Certificate of Completion - American Bible Academy: The Gospel of John (2011)
- MDOC: Certificate of Achievement: Cage Your Rage (2010)
- Grand Valley State University - Contemporary Literature (1/12/2009-5/8/2009)
- Grand Valley State University - Modern Logic (10/3/2008-5/8/2009)
- MDOC: Certificate of Completion: Custodial Maintenance Training (2007)
Wilson has Served as:
- Chaplain's Clerk (over 5 years: 1/2/2020-3/4/2025)
- Mentor/Tutor - MDOC Core Program: Violence Prevention Program - VPP (2024)
- Mentor - Substance Abuse Program: Alcoholics Anonymous (5/1/2023-12/6/2024)
- Mentor - Substance Abuse Program: Straight Street) 12/1/2023-12/6/2024)
- Mentor - MDOC Core Program: Thinking for a Change - T4C (2023)
- Mentor/Tutor - MDOC Core Program: Mich Domestic Violence Prevention - MiDVP (2023)
Currently Enrolled in:
- NATIONSUNIVERSITY - Graduate Program: Master of Theology Studies -MTS (2025-present)
- Blackstone Career Institute: Legal Assistant/Paralegal Certificate Program (April, 2026-present)
- MDOC Legal Writer (April, 2026-present)