Holistic Learning in Higher Education in Prisons
Since 2023, SDSU has offered a two-year completion BA degree at Centinela State Prison in partnership with the federal Second Chance Pell program and California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. VISTA (Valuing Incarcerated Students through Academia) enrolled 30 students in the first cohort for a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in 2023 and 36 are enrolled in a second cohort for a BA starting in fall 2024. Uniquely, SDSU offers this BA degree on both general population and sensitive needs facilities at this level three prison.
In March 2024, PI and director of VISTA, SDSU professor Annie Buckley, received a $1 million grant from the Mellon Foundation to collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of scholars and expand the work of the VISTA program. With support from the Mellon Foundation, SDSU VISTA will embark on a three-year project to grow the impact of this work with a focus on mental and emotional well-being, holistic assessment and student support, and research and implementation of best practices for teaching students who are incarcerated. Additionally, the team will expand SDSU VISTA’s degree offerings to include a degree in a Humanities field.
Throughout the course of the grant, the team will work collaboratively to create a holistic higher education model that prioritizes only academic success, but also social and emotional wellbeing. Their efforts aim to generate the following outcomes:
- A comprehensive understanding of the students' learning needs and aspirations.
- The use of formal and informal assessments to better support a range of learning styles, disabilities, and other factors that can influence education within prison walls.
- New curriculum and support services based on interventions from the assessments.
The team will apply what is learned from the work with current VISTA students to develop a toolkit for holistic learning in higher education in prisons. This guide will address the unique learning needs of incarcerated students and ensure that educational programs are not only inclusive but also effective in facilitating rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
This initiative will seek a comprehensive understanding of the students' learning needs and aspirations. Formal and informal assessments will be conducted to delve into learning styles, disabilities, and other factors that can influence education within prison walls. These assessments will play a crucial role in shaping the curriculum and support services.
The additional major will be an opportunity to create a Humanities focused degree to support academic and personal development throughout the experience of higher education in prison.
Buckley has gathered a multidisciplinary team of scholars and practitioners, including individuals with lived experience of education while incarcerated, to co-lead this transformative endeavor.
For a story on this project, please visit SDSU news.
Visit the VISTA page to learn more about the project.
This project is supported by CDCR and the Mellon Foundation.
The Holistic Learning in Higher Education in Prison Team includes:Prof. Annie Buckley, PI and DirectorFellows: Mir AminyJarret KeithGinny Oshiro Dr. Jennica PazDr. Kishauna SoljourDr. Tereza Trejbalova