More than 1,400 degrees and certificates will be conferred to students at Delaware County Community College’s commencement on Thursday morning at The Pavilion at Villanova University.

This year’s commencement ceremony comes at a very special time, as the college is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Each graduate has traveled a unique path to success, and included in that is Mac Donald Taylor Jr., who will receive an associate degree in Applied Science in Paralegal Studies.

An Upper Darby resident, Taylor is a self-described ex-offender who, with the college’s help, became an Achieving the Dream (AtD) 2017 DREAM national scholar. He received the AtD honor earlier this year, and received an all-expense-paid trip to San Francisco to speak at AtD’s DREAM Scholars conference.

Taylor speaks humbly about his incarceration for mortgage fraud in 2006 and his redemption through hard work and faith. He is the president of the college’s Paralegal Studies Club, a peer mentor, a husband, and father of four children who says he was determined not to let his past mistakes define his future.

Now, he advocates on behalf of ex-offenders.

“I am passionate about working to ensure equality and fairness across all ethnicities, religious, and social economic backgrounds, with a focus on reaching prisoners, preparing them to re-enter society and their families,” said Taylor.

Check out this incredible video of Mac Donald Taylor Jr. below.