Iowa Consortium for Higher Education in Prisons
Contact(s)
Mission Statement
The Iowa Consortium for Higher Education in Prison is dedicated to providing high quality and accessible educational opportunities, successful reentry of returning citizens and the restoration of personal dignity for incarcerated individuals.
Philosophy
The Iowa Consortium for Higher Education in Prison recognizes and supports the rehabilitative power of postsecondary instruction for incarcerated students. As such, the Consortium, and its respective members, strive to provide high quality programs and services to this student population. The Consortium is dedicated to providing high quality and accessible higher education options, successful reentry of returning citizens in Iowa and the restoration of personal dignity and opportunity for incarcerated students. We also recognize the talent and contributions of incarcerated students to institutions of higher learning.
If your organization would like to join us in this work, please fill out the community partnership survey here. Learn more about our work and impact by reading this article.
Definition and Purpose
The Iowa Consortium for Higher Education in Prison is a collaborative organization of institutions of higher education, the Iowa Department of Corrections, Iowa Department of Education and the Iowa Board of Regents. All colleges and universities offering postsecondary credit and non-credit CTE and academic programs in Iowa correctional facilities will be approved by the Iowa Department of Corrections based on recommendations of the active members in the Iowa Consortium for Higher Education in Prison. The Consortium is designed to:
- establish the process through which postsecondary programs are considered and approved;
- develop governance processes for the Consortium;
- provide high quality educational opportunities;
- share information between member colleges;
- increase articulation of students among the member colleges and universities and correctional institutions;
- urge legislators to continue state and federal financial support;
- identify and/or develop funding sources;
- cultivate constituency relations, and
- work to develop effective DOC policies and procedures for serving incarcerated students.
Participating institutions will maintain the integrity of their separate programs and governance structures. All institutions in the Consortium must maintain accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission and be appropriately authorized to operate postsecondary educational programs in the State of Iowa.
Next Meeting
Wednesday, April 20, 2022 - 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Working Groups
Funding and Partnerships - Security and Technology - Student Success - Professional Development - Data and Performance
Consortium
Des Moines Area Community College
- Chair, Jennie Doke-Kerns, Director, Justice Impacted Communities and Academic Services
Grinnell College
- Vice Chair, Emily Guenther, Director of Prison Programs
Iowa Central Community College
- Secretary, Neale Adams, Dean of Business and Industry
- Abby Underberg, Adult Education and Literacy Director, Corrections Education Director
Iowa Western Community College
- Matt Mancuso, Executive Director of Economic and Workforce Development
Kirkwood Community College
- Amanda Humphrey, Interim Dean of Social Sciences
Southeastern Community College
- Janet Shepherd, Vice President of Academic Affairs
University of Iowa
- Treasurer, Andrew Beckett, Associate Dean
Iowa Board of Regents
- Rachel Boon, Chief Academic Officer
Iowa Department of Education
- Alex Harris, State Director for Adult Education
Iowa Department of Corrections
- Sandra Smith, Correctional Education Director