Nov 22
Oct 03, 2024
Lake Superior State University Launches ‘STEP UP’ Prison Education Program: A First for the Upper Peninsula
(Sault Ste. Marie, MI) – Lake Superior State University (LSSU) proudly announces the launch of its prison education program, ‘STEP UP’ (Success Through Educational Pathways in the UP), the first program of its kind in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
The STEP UP program is designed to extend educational opportunities to an underserved population, offering participants the chance to earn an Associate Degree in Small Business Administration.
The program features a full-time curriculum, including summer semesters, and provides a high-quality educational experience. STEP UP is intended to equip individuals with essential skills for personal and professional development while providing valuable knowledge in business, finance, management, and entrepreneurship.
This fall, 20 incarcerated students at the Chippewa Correctional Facility (URF) will embark on this transformative educational journey.
“We are excited to collaborate with the Michigan Department of Corrections, whose support has been invaluable in making this transformative opportunity possible,” said Dr. David Travis, President of Lake Superior State University. “Our partnership with other universities and colleges through MiCHEP (Michigan Consortium for Higher Education in Prison), of which LSSU is a member, has helped establish standards for providing higher education to this community.”
The development of the STEP UP program began in 2022, with LSSU securing approval from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) for its implementation. Approval for the Associate Degree in Small Business Administration was granted in February 2024, and the program has since enrolled its first cohort of 20 students scheduled to graduate in Summer 2026.
Marc Boucher, the Director of Library and Academic Services at LSSU, stated, “The ripple effects of this program will be felt for generations. Lake State is proud to support communities across the state of Michigan as research has shown that higher education in prison significantly reduces recidivism rates.”
STEP Up is made possible by the restoration of Pell Grant funding for incarcerated students through Congress’ passing of the 2021 FAFSA Simplification Act. This change restored access to federal aid by allowing incarcerated students to receive Federal Pell Grant funding which they had lost in 1994.
“I’ve been here for ten years and spent every moment of every day trying to figure out how to make time go by faster. Since the start of the semester, I’ve wanted time to slow down, I want more time to study, read, learn, and work on homework.” a participant from the STEP UP program shared.
The launch of STEP UP underscores LSSU’s unwavering commitment to expanding educational opportunities and providing essential resources for personal and professional growth in the Upper Peninsula.
If you are interested in supporting the STEP UP program, you can make a donation by visiting https://advancement.lssu.edu/give-today/ and selecting the support category ‘STEP UP’. To learn more about the STEP UP program, please visit their website.