Sunshine Lady Foundation Grantee: West Virginia University Center for Prison Education and Research

grantees

West Virginia University Center for Prison Education and Research

a group of people stand facing away from the camera with DOC written on the back of their shirts

Photo Credit:

DOC Staff

College / University:

University of West Virginia

The WVU Center for Prison Education and Research (PEAR) improves educational access for people imprisoned in the Appalachian region and generates experiential learning and research opportunities for WVU students and faculty. PEAR coordinates an associate degree program through our Higher Education in Prison Initiative and offers a range of educational programming for people in prison. We provide reentry support for currently and previously incarcerated students and we also organize campus and community events that explore solutions to the crisis of mass incarceration.

Contact:

Katy Ryan

kohearnr@wvu.edu

Rayna Momen

rmomen@mix.wvu.edu

Website

Program Facts:

Our Initiative is unique in that we cross state lines from WV into PA to offer in-person courses toward an associate degree, in partnership with Waynesburg University in the PA Commonwealth, with the first cohort approximately halfway finished with their degree requirements.
Our work is guided by the expertise of currently and formerly incarcerated people, including an Inside Advisory Council.

Above photo used with permission from the PA DOC: "Greene holds closing ceremony for Inside-Out program with WVU."