From Prison to a College Degree, A Graduate Ready to Lead
May 20, 2026
As a child of the 1980s crack epidemic, Miseka Diggs was one of many who found a way to survive as families around her – including her own – were torn apart by addiction. At the age of 11, she sold drugs.
Her story isn’t unusual, said Diggs, who will graduate from Rutgers-Newark this week at the age of 49 with a bachelor’s degree in Social Work.
“You had a community that’s left behind. Kids as young as me had to fend for themselves,’’ she said. “You may not have food, clean clothing, and maybe not a roof over your head. Because of this many of the youth from my time gravitated to selling drugs. Basic survival tactics. This was getting basic needs met."
Like Diggs, they had no support. Few adults outside their neighborhoods – first New Brunswick and, later, Newark – understood what they were going through or offered help. In 6th grade, she stopped showing up at school. “Nobody came looking for me,’’ she said. “No truancy officer. Nobody.’’
Reposted from Rutgers–Newark