Ann Arbor Times

Eastern Michigan University is set to become the first institution in Michigan to allow incarcerated students to present their research projects at the 45th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium. The event will take place on March 28 at EMU’s Student Center in Ypsilanti. Presentations will include topics such as education improvisation, poetry's impact, and dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline. Twelve students from EMU’s College in Prison program at Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility will showcase their work through pre-recorded presentations.

Faculty sponsors will introduce each speaker, with a final presentation delivered by a student who began her studies while incarcerated and is now completing her degree on EMU's main campus. Meghan Lechner, director of the College in Prison program, stated, “This opportunity is monumental for our students and a reflection of the commitment EMU has made to providing equitable access to higher education.”

The College in Prison program at EMU serves 50 incarcerated students, offering in-person instruction that mirrors courses taught on the main campus. This initiative aims to empower these students by engaging them in academic research and scholarly discourse.

Jacara Moore, a participant in the program, expressed her thoughts: “Our participation in the Undergraduate Research Symposium gives us a voice and allows us to demonstrate that our ideas and contributions matter.” She added that she hopes audiences gain insight into how improvisation can enhance real-life experiences.

For further details about the College in Prison program and symposium information, interested parties are encouraged to visit EMU’s website.

Founded in 1849, Eastern Michigan University is Michigan's second-oldest public university. It offers over 300 majors across various fields of study through its multiple colleges. National publications frequently recognize EMU for its diversity and commitment to applied education. More information can be found on the university's official website.