Our Students
Project Rebound students make CSUN proud. Here we highlight stories of resilience, commitment, and academic excellence.
Garret Eiferman
Garret Eiferman stands out as a remarkable example of resilience, leadership, and dedication within the California State University Northridge (CSUN) Project Rebound community. After spending over two decades incarcerated, Garret transformed his life through education, earning multiple AA degrees while incarcerated and later graduating from CSUN with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. His journey is marked by profound personal growth, as he discovered a passion for mentorship and peer education—skills he honed by tutoring fellow inmates and, later, serving as president of Revolutionary Scholars, the student organization for justice-impacted students. Through these roles, Garret not only navigated the complexities of university life but also fostered a sense of belonging for others, demystifying and destigmatizing the presence of formerly incarcerated students on campus. His commitment to student service is evident in his work as a Project Rebound intern, where he managed student spaces, connected students to essential campus and community resources, and assisted those with urgent needs, including housing, recovery, and mental health care.
Beyond his academic and leadership achievements, Garret has made a lasting impact through community service and research. He has volunteered extensively with About My Father’s Business (AMFB), delivering critical supplies and support to unhoused individuals in the San Fernando Valley. His involvement in grant-funded research projects, such as those supported by the Human Interaction Research Institute (HIRI) at CSUN, further highlights his commitment to social justice and community engagement. Garret’s ethnographic skills and insights have been instrumental in elevating the voices of the unhoused community, ensuring their perspectives shape outreach services and policy. His multifaceted contributions to both the university and the broader community exemplify the values of Project Rebound and make him a true standout among CSUN graduates. We celebrate Garret and wish him well as he transitions into the master’s program in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies this fall 2025 at CSUN.