WEBINAR: Postsecondary Success for Justice-Involved Individuals

The REAL Act was reintroduced in the House in April of this year, signaling a renewed interest in the postsecondary success of all members of society.

In May, Ascend released two publications: the Father Factor: A Critical Link in Building Family Prosperity and a Parents in College: By the Numbers fact sheet. The brief unpacked questions like: What situations and circumstances prevent fathers from being fully engaged in the lives of their children? What are the hallmarks of engaging fathers effectively? How should we think about reimagining public systems and services to work for 21st-century families? The fact sheet featured new analysis of survey data on demographics of parents enrolled in two- and four-year baccalaureate pathways across the country from the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study. Taken together, the two paint a picture of postsecondary success outcomes for students who are parents, especially fathers, and the importance of fatherhood for the holistic well-being of families and communities.

WEBINAR: Postsecondary Success for Justice-Involved Individuals from Ascend at the Aspen Institute on Vimeo.

On the “Postsecondary Success for Justice-Involved Individuals” webinar, Ascend Fellow and executive director of Ascend Network Partner College and Community Fellowship Vivian Nixon, Ascend Parent Advisor and chief of housing community activities for Ascend Network Partner New York City Housing Authority Yolanda Johnson-Peterkin, and program associate at Ascend Network Partner Vera Institute of Justice Allan Wachendorfer explored the impact of access to postsecondary education on justice-involved individuals and their families.

Ascend program associates for postsecondary achievement and innovation Portia Polk and leadership and communications James White moderated the discussion.

Speakers

• Vivian D. Nixon, Executive Director, College & Community Fellowship
• Yolanda Johnson-Peterkin, Chief of Housing Community Activities, New York City Housing Authority
• Allan Wachendorfer, Program Associate, Vera Institute of Justice
• Portia Polk, Program Associate, Ascend at the Aspen Institute
• James White, Program Associate, Ascend at the Aspen Institute

Watch the webinar recording here to learn more about the history of access to postsecondary education for incarcerated persons and supports available for justice-involved individuals during and after incarceration.

Find more information on student aid eligibility for persons with criminal convictions and the economic case for investing in the postsecondary success of justice-involved individuals here and here.