Director, Center for Prison Education

Salary Range$74,100-$90,000

Experience is taken into consideration in the determination of salary offers.  For more information visit https://www.wesleyan.edu/hr/handbook/compensation-practices/index.html

Position Details

Wesleyan seeks a Director of its Center for Prison Education (CPE), which has since 2009 worked in partnership with the CT Department of Corrections to bring the transformative power of a liberal arts education to students incarcerated in Connecticut prisons. The program has operated in Cheshire Correctional Institution (a maximum-security prison for men) since 2009 and in York Correctional Institution (the state’s only prison for women) since 2013, offering an AA (Associates) degree through a partnership with Middlesex Community College since 2016, and a BLS (Bachelor of Liberal Studies) degree through Wesleyan since 2019.

Wesleyan sponsored an external review of the Center for Prison Education in 2022-2023, which led to the creation of this new position. With a broad framework of possible changes in hand, the Director will have latitude to bring their experience to bear as they lead a restructuring of the program and collaborate with university stakeholders to develop a clear vision for the sustainability and growth of the CPE.

Reporting to the Associate Provost for Curriculum and Strategic Initiatives in Academic Affairs, the Director will help redefine a clear mission for the program, be an advocate in the state and regional prison education landscape, be a spokesperson for the CPE, and lead development efforts.

They will provide leadership and vision for the program staff, students, and faculty who teach in the program, as well as nurture and strengthen key external and internal partnerships for the Center for Prison Education, including with the Connecticut Department of Corrections, prison facilities staff, Middlesex Community College, CPE Faculty Advisory Committee, CPE Board of Advisors, the Educational Policy Committee, other University Offices, and Academic Affairs.

They will be involved in student recruitment, budget management, grant writing, overseeing the academic program, and ensuring compliance with all accreditation standards.

Responsibilities include:

Develop Program Strategy and Vision

• Develop program strategy and vision.
• Implement short and long-term program goals.
• Continuously evaluate and review the overall strategy.
• Respond to new challenges and opportunities.

Academic Program Oversight

• Oversee development and delivery of academic programs and other support services.
• Oversee faculty recruitment and training.
• Assess program and course offerings and delivery.
• Collaborate with Wesleyan’s Accreditation Liaison Officer to ensure compliance with accreditation standards and state/federal regulations.
• Provide services and support to current students to address needs and assist in facilitating efficient completion of the degree program.
• Facilitate the CPE faculty advisory committee, CPE board of advisors, other associated committees, and report annually to the Educational Policy Committee regarding the CPE program.

Administrative Oversight:

• Supervise CPE staff, make hiring decisions, provide coaching, training and mentoring including managing performance.
• Lead and direct all administrative and operational aspects of CPE, working with the Associate Provost and staff from Academic Affairs, Continuing Studies, admissions, financial aid, and registrar.
• Collaborate with the Office of Financial Aid in awarding Pell funding for incarcerated students.
• Provide support for incarcerated students submitting a FASFA.
• Lead the planning, execution, and publicity for special events at the prisons and on campus (lectures, colloquia, end-of-year events), including collaborating with the Commencement Committee to plan and execute the CPE graduation ceremony.

Government and Community Partnership Development:

• Serve as the primary liaison between Wesleyan and the Connecticut Department of Corrections to ensure positive ongoing relations and to address any issues that arise.
• Serve as the primary liaison for Community College partners.
• Serve as the key point of contact for outreach to legislators, state agencies, governor’s office, and national government officials.
• Cultivate relationships and partnerships with organizations and stakeholders working in education for incarcerated individuals, re-entry, and other relevant social service roles, both on- and off-campus, in collaboration with the Jewett Center for Community Partnerships.
• Represent CPE at various educational forums, attend on-site and community stakeholder meetings and provide updates to external partners; participate in annual conferences and statewide and national conversations related to the future of higher education in prison.

Fundraising and Grants:

• Work with the Advancement and Grants office staff to identify grant support and other funding opportunities and develop materials to support fundraising applications and appeals.

Other duties, special projects, and assignments as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience developing and managing academic programs or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• A minimum of three (3) years’ experience overseeing programs working with incarcerated and/or returning students.
• Proven experience developing, leading, executing, and assessing program plans and vision.
• Supervisory experience managing, coaching, mentoring, and developing staff.
• Outstanding collaborative leadership skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Experience with support services required for student success, including financial aid, admissions, student services, and/or advising offices.
• Experience with course assessment, scheduling, assigning instructors, and working with advisors to create paths for degree completion of students.
• Prior experience teaching or conducting workshops.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising, writing grants and/or grants administration.
• Proven knowledge of budget planning.
• Demonstrated ability in cultivating relationships, collaborating, and developing partnerships with a range of stakeholders including the Department of Corrections, funding bodies, schools, nonprofit organizations, other government agencies, donors and/or public officials.
• Ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with a broad range of constituents.
• Demonstrated commitment to working within a diverse environment and collaborating with individuals of different backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to work with stakeholders at all levels of an organization and an ability to manage nuanced relationships.
• Excellent Microsoft Office skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to the value of access to higher education and the impact it has on individuals, families, and communities.
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule including evenings, nights, weekends and holidays as needed.
• Eligibility for appropriate security clearance(s) for work inside Department of Corrections facilities
• Must possess a valid Driver’s License and reliable transportation to get to facilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Terminal degree.
• College-level teaching experience both in prison and on a traditional campus.
• Special Instructions to Applicants

‍

Position is open until filled. For full consideration please apply by April 23rd when first review of applications will begin.

Additional Information

All offers to external applicants are contingent on the candidate’s completion of a pre-employment background check screening to the satisfaction of Wesleyan University.

Wesleyan University requires proof of COVID-19vaccination and booster (if eligible under CDC guidelines) or an approved exemption prior to first day of employment.

Benefits

Wesleyan offers a broad range of employee benefits and development opportunities, including comprehensive group insurance plans, wellness programs and incentives, generous paid time off and retirement plans. We also offer flexible work schedules, employee and dependent tuition programs, as well as access to Wesleyan’s BLS & GLS programs for those who qualify (tuition is waived for up to 2 courses a term; some fees and taxes may apply).

Detailed information on the benefits of working at Wesleyan is located at: https://wesleyan.edu/hr/careers/prospective-resources.html.

‍