Reentry & College in Prison Programs

As a school of opportunity (University Mission) Eastern Michigan University through Engage@EMU is dedicated to supporting incarcerated individuals and formerly incarcerated individuals in pursuing post-secondary opportunities through internal and community-based programs and projects. Click the boxes below to learn more about our Returning Citizens Americorps Program, Returning Citizens Fellowship, and our College in Prison Program. 

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  Navigation: Returning Citizens AmeriCorps Program (NRCA) situates 18-22 AmeriCorps members to serve as Navigation Coaches to formerly incarcerated individuals (both those on parole and non-parole) pursuing post-secondary experiences including community college, four year college, certified training programs and professional certificates at college/university sites, the County Sheriff’s Re-Entry program and re-entry focused non-profits in Washtenaw County, Michigan. 

  Click here to learn more. 

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  The Returning Citizen Fellows program (RCF) is a cohort structured student success and persistence program for individuals who were formerly incarcerated in and/or with the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC). As a program, the RCF’s primary intention is to provide Fellows a support system within EMU and external to EMU as a way to help navigate both the complexities of higher education as well as the challenges to reentry, post-incarceration. 

  Click here to learn more.

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  Every year since 2007, EMU faculty have volunteered to teach classes for Michigan’s incarcerated women students at the Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility (WHV) as part of EMU’s College in Prison program. First, EMU courses are offered to “inside” students; second, Inside-Out courses bring 15 EMU students together with 15 incarcerated students to learn together. Both types of courses provide students with the same academic rigor as those taught on EMU’s campus. This program is currently administered and coordinated by Beth Currans, Chair of Women’s and Gender Studies. Our CIP program is a Partnership with Jackson College and their AB/Associate’s program. The program aims to serve cohorts of 20 students -Totalling 100 over three years. 

  To learn more, visit their website.