Ann Arbor Times

Eastern Michigan University has marked the graduation of its first group from the College in Prison program at the Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility, Michigan’s only women’s prison. Twelve incarcerated students received Bachelor of General Studies degrees, each with a 3.93 GPA.

The College in Prison program began in 2023 and now enrolls 75 students. Instruction is provided in person by EMU faculty, similar to what is offered on the main campus. The program aims to provide academic research opportunities and skills to help with personal growth and reintegration into society.

“These women, their hard work, and this achievement represent the power and purpose of education in prison - an experience for the whole person to develop their critical thinking skills, harness their capacity for compassion, and demonstrate their gifts and abilities on a platform that is societally recognized as excellent,” said Meghan Lechner, director of the College in Prison and Returning Citizens Fellowship at EMU. “What started as a group of 20 students in 2023 has grown to 75 eager and engaged EMU students at Women's Huron Valley Correctional facility. This is the first of many exciting graduations and celebrations to come.”

Research indicates that women are increasingly represented among incarcerated populations in the United States. Many have experienced trauma, poverty, or systemic inequality prior to incarceration, and face challenges such as employment barriers after release. The College in Prison program was developed to address these issues through education.

In 2024, EMU’s Writing Center expanded its services by providing twice-monthly tutoring at the prison. This spring, twelve students presented projects at EMU’s Annual Undergraduate Symposium on subjects including teaching methods and criminal justice reform.

Students have also organized extracurricular groups within the facility, forming clubs such as BOSS Business Club, WHOLE ME Wellness Club, Writing Club, and Behind the Wire Student Newsletter.

“Not only is this a significant milestone for these women individually, but it also sparks tremendous cause for celebration for the state of Michigan as a whole, the EMU faculty and administrators that have worked hard to create meaningful programming, the state officials who have funded and supported this initiative, and the collaborative efforts of the Michigan Department of Corrections,” said Lechner.

Graduate Katherine Woods shared her perspective on completing her degree: "Respect, integrity, and excellence are the qualities that EMU embodies,” said Woods. “I am more than grateful for the opportunity afforded to me through EMU. Because of EMU, I have reached a milestone, one that is a testament to this elusive experience and the expansion of knowledge that has been cultivated through persistence and determination."

Some graduates plan further study toward master’s degrees in fields like business or social work; others aim for careers in community development or nonprofit organizations.

EMU will offer personalized reentry planning for graduating students by connecting them with resources intended to support successful transition back into society.

Eastern Michigan University serves nearly 13,000 students across more than 300 programs spanning arts and sciences; business; education; engineering; health services; and graduate studies.