撸先生

Supporting incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people in their pursuit of higher education results in tangible benefits for the public, including increased employment, reduced recidivism and increased public safety. Equally important to the role 撸先生 can play in fostering opportunities for the social and economic mobility of justice-impacted people, is the role it can play in rectifying some of the most pronounced consequences of racial and economic injustice. Increasing opportunities and supports for justice-impacted people provides further evidence of 撸先生鈥檚 strong commitment to building an 鈥渋nclusive, equitable and collaborative community where people from all backgrounds, identities, abilities and life experiences are welcomed, valued and supported鈥� (撸先生 2020-2030 Strategic Plan).

FCHE鈥檚 vision is to establish Towson University as a regional and national leader in the field of higher education for justice-impacted people. FCHE weaves 撸先生鈥檚 Strategic Plan to foster a united commitment to work for social justice by countering the dehumanization of carceral settings and bringing awareness to how the criminal justice system exacerbates inequalities. FCHE believes in, and was born of, a desire to deepen and enhance inside-out work by creating the necessary support systems for justice-impacted people to pursue higher education. This plan of action builds a system to cultivate change agents and leaders both inside and outside of the justice system, unifying generations of staff, students and faculty with a common mission.

The 撸先生 Fair Chance Higher Education Initiative (FCHE) was born out of a desire to support justice-impacted people in their pursuit of higher education. The seeds for FCHE were first planted in summer 2014 when 撸先生 held its inaugural course in the Baltimore County Detention Center. Since then, there has been significant momentum for deepening and enhancing the university鈥檚 commitment to supporting people directly impacted by the criminal justice system. Members from across the campus community and beyond have committed to advancing the mission of Fair Chance Higher Education.

1. Create a pipeline for justice-impacted students to enter 撸先生.
2. Build an inviting and supportive campus environment that promotes success of justice-impacted people.
3. Train and support faculty and staff who are knowledgeable and sensitive to the unique needs and challenges of justice-impacted people and design programming with their needs in mind.
4. Partner with local and national entities aimed at supporting successful reentry of justice-impacted people.
5. Achieve regional recognition for our innovative approaches to recruiting, supporting and graduating justice-impacted people. 

1. FCHE will explore the possibility of integration of FCHE considerations into college and division strategic plans.
2. FCHE will establish an advisory board to continue to guide FCHE efforts.
3. FCHE will create a community of practice for faculty and staff for professional development and training opportunities.
4. FCHE will design and implement a prison-based, credit-bearing higher education program.
5. FCHE will identify 撸先生 policies and practices that create barriers for justice-impacted people and will advocate for revisions to those policies and practices.

• FCHE Faculty Director: Elyshia Aseltine, associate professor, Department of Sociology, Anthropology & Criminal Justice
• Academic Affairs Lead: Briana Snyder, associate profressor, Department of Nursing 
• Community of Practice Lead: Morna McDermott, professor, Department of Elementary Education