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Tennessee Higher Education Initiative outlines prison-degree programs and partnerships
Summary
Laura Ferguson Mims and a THEI colleague told the subcommittee THEI coordinates in-prison associate and bachelor's degree programs, provides reentry support, and partners with several Tennessee colleges; they announced a May 14 graduation at which 20 men will receive bachelor's degrees from Belmont.
Laura Ferguson Mims, who identified herself as president and CEO of the Tennessee Higher Education Initiative (THEI), told the subcommittee the nonprofit works on three main fronts: coordinating associate and bachelor programs inside Tennessee prisons, providing pre-entry and reentry support, and "uplifting the voices of individuals with lived experience." She said the organization partners with the Tennessee Board of Regents and named community college partners including Nashville State and Dyersburg State, with Columbia State joining "as of next week."
A THEI representative said the group also has bachelor's-degree partners, listing Belmont University and recent MOUs with Rhodes and LeMoyne Owen and planned programming with Trevecca. THEI announced an upcoming Belmont graduation on May 14 at a campus facility, saying, "There'll be a cohort of 20 men receiving their bachelor's degree in business administration from Belmont University." Committee members thanked THEI for the work and noted visits to programs.
THEI framed the programs as part of a reentry strategy to reduce recidivism and to prepare people returning from incarceration for employment and family reunification. Presenters said they will provide impact reports to the committee at a later date.
