Western Nevada College’s Higher Education in Prison Program will have a voice in a national study examining how colleges finance higher education in prison following the restoration of Pell Grant eligibility for incarcerated students.
RTI International, an independent scientific research institute, is launching a 2.5-year study supported by Ascendium Education Group to examine how higher education in prison (HEP) programs are financed and identify strategies for long-term sustainability.
Deb Conrad, program director for Western Nevada College’s Higher Education in Prison Program (HEPP), is serving as a member of the study’s advisory group after being recommended by a colleague in the field. In this role, Conrad will contribute the perspective of a rural, two-year public college with experience operating both academic and workforce education programs within correctional facilities.
“WNC is proud to have Deb Conrad bring our experience to this important national conversation. Higher education in prison is an opportunity to transform lives, strengthen communities and help students build a path toward meaningful careers,” said WNC President Dr. J. Kyle Dalpe. “As Pell Grant access expands, it is equally important that colleges have the resources and sustainable funding models needed to deliver high-quality education in correctional settings. WNC’s experience as a rural community college gives us a valuable perspective on both the opportunities and the challenges, and we are pleased to contribute to research that can help strengthen these programs nationwide.”
Conrad has led WNC’s Higher Education in Prison Program since 2019, overseeing the college’s partnership with the Nevada Department of Corrections and the delivery of college education at Northern Nevada Correctional Center and Stewart Conservation Camp. During that time, WNC has expanded educational opportunities for incarcerated students, including degree, certificate and workforce pathways, and most recently implemented Pell Grant access for eligible students through WNC’s federally approved Prison Education Program.
“I’m grateful to have been invited to serve as an advisory group member for this study,” Conrad said. “This study is important because identifying sustainable and effective funding models across a variety of institutions is essential to the long-term success of higher education in prison programs and the students they serve.”
As colleges expand or launch HEP programs, they need a better understanding of funding approaches, gaps and variations across institutions and contexts. The study will use background research, a national survey and in-depth interviews to document current approaches, cost structures and sustainability strategies.
“This study comes at a critical moment for colleges and corrections agencies working to expand access to higher education in prison,” said Michelle Tolbert, MEd, project director at RTI. “This research will provide practical information they can use to understand costs, address funding gaps and make informed decisions about building high-quality programs that are financially sustainable.”
The study will focus on documenting funding approaches across institutions, with particular attention to two-year public colleges, which operate roughly half of all higher education in prison programs nationwide.
Findings from the study are expected to offer guidance for college leaders, policymakers and departments of corrections as they expand access to higher education for people who are incarcerated and plan for sustainable growth.
About Western Nevada College’s Higher Education in Prison Program
Western Nevada College provides higher education opportunities to incarcerated students at Northern Nevada Correctional Center and Stewart Conservation Camp through its Higher Education in Prison Program. WNC offers academic and workforce education pathways designed to provide incarcerated students with access to the same high-quality college education available to students in the broader community. The program serves students pursuing degrees, certificates and skills that support academic achievement, workforce preparation and personal development.
About Ascendium Education Group
Ascendium Education Group® is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization driven by the belief that learning after high school gives people the power to build better futures. Its national philanthropy focuses on increasing opportunities for learners from low-income backgrounds to achieve upward mobility through postsecondary education and workforce training. Ascendium partners with organizations whose objectives align with its core strategies to expand opportunity, support learner success and connect and align systems. Its grantees include postsecondary education and workforce training providers, intermediaries, researchers and media organizations from across the U.S. To learn more, visit ascendiumphilanthropy.org.
About RTI International
RTI International is an independent scientific research institute dedicated to improving the human condition. Our vision is to address the world’s most critical problems with technical and science-based solutions in pursuit of a better future. Clients rely on us to answer questions that demand an objective and multidisciplinary approach—one that integrates expertise across social, statistical, data, and laboratory sciences, engineering, and other technical disciplines to solve the world’s most challenging problems. For more information, visit www.rti.org.
