Wesleyan students develop conference highlighting incarcerated education

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Four Nebraska Wesleyan University students organized statewide conference focused on education for incarcerated individuals.

The conference brought over 30 participants from across Nebraska.

All four students are enrolled in the Department of Sociology and Criminology’s Prison Outreach class. They worked with professors to create the conference.

The students involved were Bella Longoria, Luis Garcia, Madi Hendrix-Jones and Maria Ghanim.

Wesleyan University said the efforts of the students, faculty and staff assistant Cathy Earhart brought important attendees including the Nebraska Department of Corrections, Lancaster County Department of Corrections and the Nebraska Consortium for Postsecondary Education in Prison.

Panelists and the keynote speaker talked about their own experiences, highlighting education and books as their redirect motivation while they were incarcerated.

Wesleyan University said participants and organizers emphasized the necessity of connecting formal education with vital life skills.