Upper Peninsula Teaching & Learning Conference - 2026

Prison education plays a vital role in expanding access to learning, supporting rehabilitation, and promoting academic success and community reintegration. This presentation highlights the progress of Lake Superior State University’s STEP UP program through two perspectives: the LSSU Academic Success Center Coordinator involved in program administration and implementation, and a student tutor who provides direct academic support to incarcerated learners.


Combining institutional leadership with firsthand tutoring experience, the presentation illustrates a collaborative approach to addressing educational barriers and creating inclusive, equitable learning environments within correctional settings.


The first segment focuses on the development, implementation, and sustainability of the program, including its history, impact, and the logistical, administrative, and security challenges involved. Campus resources, cross-institutional collaboration, and the recruitment and support of student tutors are also discussed.


The second segment centers the student tutor’s perspective, comparing on-campus and prison-based tutoring experiences. This portion highlights the role of individualized, student-centered support in promoting access and equity, addressing common misconceptions about incarcerated students, and fostering tutors’ professional growth and cultural awareness.


Overall, this presentation demonstrates that prison education programs are both feasible and impactful. Attendees will gain practical insights into program design and strategies for leveraging student tutors to expand access to higher education in correctional environments.