CCA Employees Go Back to School at EKU

Students Move Forward, Program Changes Underway

CCA's Tiffany Wardlow is one of several employees participating in the EKU program.

As autumn returns, school is back in session for 24 CCA-employed students. One year into CCA's partnership with Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), those students are working toward certifications and degrees, and changes are underway to allow for even greater participation.

"When it first started, it was an all-scholarship program," says Tom Sammons, CCA Divisional Training Manager (Business Unit II), who serves as liaison between EKU and CCA employees. "That has changed to a 60-40 cost-split between CCA and employees. CCA will absorb 60% of the tuition costs and will provide $100 per semester for books; each employee will be responsible for 40 percent of the tuition and the remainder of the textbook costs, as well as any application fees or other supplies as required by EKU."

Other facets of the program, however, remain the same.

"It’s 100% distance learning," Sammons says. "After completing their reading assignments, students have virtual discussions with their classmates either through a Blackboard-like posting system or call-in, audio posting system."

While the program remains open to CCA employees of all positions, candidates must first have the approval of their supervisors and meet EKU's admissions requirements. Once enrolled, students can still earn three EKU credit hours for each Samberg Frontline Leadership and Foundations class they take.

"I think the program is holding steady but I would really like to see more active involvement from all of the CCA graduate certificate students who have been admitted or who are thinking about the program," says Amy Eades, EKU Assistant Coordinator for the Correctional and Juvenile Justice Studies (CJJS) graduate program.

Currently, 10 CCA employees are earning graduate degrees and 14 are completing their undergraduate studies at EKU. Some of the program's first participants are scheduled to graduate this winter and next spring.

"We have been very pleased with those CCA employees who dedicated themselves to furthering their education through our CCA/EKU partnership," says Steve Kaiser, CCA Managing Director, Staff and Organization Development. "We are hoping that next year's funding will allow us to continue and maybe even expand our offering of this career development program."

As they work toward graduation, CCA employees are putting their experience to work in the classroom. "While some younger students tend to speak from socialized beliefs and/or emotional ideas, the CCA students share their real life prison experiences," says Lou Martin, EKU Assistant Program Coordinator for the CJJS undergraduate online degree program.

Daniel Akers, Assistant Warden at Marion Adjustment Center, has been able to share his real-world perspective and gain valuable insights in class.

"It's interesting to see how people think corrections agencies should run and then to see how they run each day because you’re part of it," Akers says. "In our classes, we watch the lecture on video, read the chapters, complete the Blackboard assignments, and at the end of the week we take timed quizzes."

Faculty advisors maintain regular contact with students to help them stay on track, and an introductory course prepares them for the interactive online classroom. The curriculum encompasses a variety of topics, including corrections history and the theories surrounding industry practices.

"We address many issues, from intake to release, in our weekly discussions," Martin says. "As an advisor and an instructor, I can honestly say that the program is going very well. The CCA employees bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to our program."

EKU maintains a high-quality corrections curriculum that offers students a well-rounded education.

"EKU has put a lot of work into making this a program that is very relevant to corrections,” Sammons says. “The school has a great faculty that's well-versed in the industry at all levels. It provides an excellent educational experience.”

By DeAndra Mack

Sound Out

Lynn Carpenter at FSC:

I think this is a neat program and would be interested in participating. I have wanted to continue my studies and this seems a great way to do it.