September 18, 2025
LANSING, MI – This week marked the end of a series of 10 higher education graduations taking place inside MDOC facilities across the state, a milestone in its partnership with 13 higher education institutions.
Today, Sept. 18, MDOC hosted its largest college graduation ceremony to date at Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility in Ypsilanti, with 70 women graduating with associate or bachelor’s degrees from Jackson College and Eastern Michigan University.
Beginning in late May with the graduation of 10 bachelor’s degree students from Calvin University at the Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility in Ionia, these ceremonies have conferred degrees in programs like business administration, social work, and community leadership. At each ceremony graduates had the opportunity to invite loved ones into the facility to witness and celebrate their accomplishment.
Below are specific details on each facility and partner program that hosted a graduation this year:
| Date | Facility | Location | Partner Institution | Degrees Conferred | Number of Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/22 | Richard A. Handlon | Ionia | Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary | Bachelor's in Faith and Community Leadership or Human Services | 10 |
| 6/5 | Gus Harrison | Adrian | Jackson College | Various Associate's Degrees | 26 |
| 6/12 | G. Robert Cotton | Jackson | Jackson College and Siena Heights University | Various Associate’s Degrees (Jackson) and Bachelor’s of Business Administration (SHU) | 26 |
| 6/12 | Cooper Street | Jackson | Jackson College and Siena Heights University | Various Associate’s Degrees (Jackson) and Bachelor’s of Business Administration (SHU) | 31 |
| 6/13 | Saginaw | Saginaw | Delta College | Associate's in Business Studies | 9 |
| 6/13 | Central Michigan | St. Louis | Jackson College | Various Associate's Degrees | 22 |
| 6/17 | Thumb | Lapeer | Mott Community College | Associate’s in Business Management or Social Work | 16 |
| 6/25 | Muskegon | Muskegon | Hope College and Western Theological Seminary | Bachelor's in Faith, Leadership, and Service | 9 |
| 7/24 | Parnall | Jackson | Jackson College | Various Associate's Degrees | 37 |
| 9/18 | Women's Huron Valley | Ypsilanti | Jackson College and Eastern Michigan University | Various Associate’s Degrees (Jackson) and Bachelor's in General Studies (EMU) | 70 |
“Michigan is a trailblazer in expanding post-secondary opportunities for those in our custody.’ said MDOC Director Heidi E. Washington. “We are proud of the incredible growth over the last decade, with over 1,300 students enrolled in college-level courses that will help them get a good paying job and expand their opportunities for success. The department is committed to continuing and expanding our valuable partnerships with colleges and universities across the state.”
The combined class of 2025 is the largest yet for the department, a record likely to be broken soon as cohorts currently enrolled at Grand Valley State University at Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility, Lake Superior State University at Chippewa Correctional Facility, Kellogg Community College and Western Michigan University at Lakeland Correctional Facility, and Ferris State University at Thumb Correctional Facility work toward degree completion. Wayne State University has begun a partnership at Macomb Correctional Facility this fall, and additional programs are expected to begin in the next several years.
“The Michigan Consortium for Higher Education in Prison is thrilled by the progress being made to expand opportunities for incarcerated people to earn a college degree in our state’s correctional facilities,” said Richard Ray, MiCHEP Steering Committee Chair. “College education is an excellent investment in people and the communities of which they are a part — and in the case of incarcerated college students, the communities to which they will return. The students benefit, of course, but so do their families. We’re thrilled to see Michigan’s investment in our students, and the wonderful ways in which our students have responded to the opportunity.”
Completion of a post-secondary program has been proven to reduce the risk of re-offense, or recidivism, once a degree-holder is released on parole. Expansion of college opportunities has contributed to a record low in the state’s recidivism rate, recently reported to have fallen to 21.0%.
Siena Heights University and Jackson College graduates at their ceremony at Cooper Street Correctional Facility in Jackson.
Mott Community College graduates at their ceremony at Thumb Correctional Facility in Lapeer.
Calvin University graduates with the President of Calvin Theological Seminary, Warden Mindy Braman, MDOC Director Heidi E. Washington, and Calvin University President Greg Elzinga at their ceremony at Richard Handlon Correctional Facility in Ionia.
Delta College graduates with MDOC and Delta College leadership and State Rep. Amos O’Neal at their ceremony at Saginaw Correctional Facility in Freeland.
Hope College graduates celebrate their achievement at their Muskegon Correctional Facility ceremony.
Hope College graduates receive their diplomas at their Muskegon Correctional Facility ceremony.
A record 70 graduates attend their ceremony with degrees from Jackson College and Eastern Michigan University at Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility in Ypsilanti.
A Jackson College graduate at Women's Huron Valley shakes Director Washington's hand before shaking the hands of Warden Jeremy Howard and Administrator Kyle Kaminski.
Media Contact:
