Monaca, PA – The Community College of Beaver County (CCBC) and the Beaver County Jail are expanding access to higher education through a partnership that gives incarcerated individuals the opportunity to earn college credits, develop essential skills, and prepare for continued education and future career opportunities.
“The development of this program has been a three-year journey grounded in collaboration, commitment, and a shared belief in the power of higher education to transform lives,” said Dr. Anitre Bell, assistant director of enrollment management. “Together with the Beaver County Jail and its reentry team, we have created more than access to college courses; we have built a pathway to academic success, employment, stability, and meaningful reentry into society. I am especially grateful for the unwavering leadership and support of Warden Beasom and Steve Cooley, who believed in this vision and have been instrumental in bringing it to life.”
Starting in fall 2025 with an inaugural cohort of eight students, the prison education initiative has served 14 students to date. Two students have continued their education at CCBC following their release from the Beaver County Jail, demonstrating the program’s potential to create educational pathways that extend beyond incarceration.
A key outcome of the partnership is to establish a connection between education during incarceration and opportunities after release. By beginning college coursework while incarcerated, students can build an academic record and establish a foundation for continued enrollment in higher education.
Students enroll in CCBC’s Liberal Studies program and complete college-level coursework designed to build a foundation for academic and personal success. The program also emphasizes the skills and resources students need to navigate college, explore career options, and prepare for their return to the community.
Coursework includes English composition, college reading, public speaking, general psychology and Titan Transition, CCBC’s college readiness course. Together, these courses help students strengthen their reading, writing, critical thinking, and communication skills while exploring human behavior and personal development.
“I’ve been especially impressed by my students’ dedication and how seriously they approach their coursework,” said Lauren Judson, a public speaking professor for the program. “I want all my students to know that their ideas matter and that they truly belong in the classroom. This program creates a space where students’ perspectives are taken seriously and where they can challenge themselves, pursue their education and demonstrate their abilities.”
Titan Transition introduces students to the tools needed to succeed in college, including study strategies, time management, educational planning, and provides exposure to available campus resources. These skills can support students as they pursue additional education and prepare for the workforce.
The program follows a structured academic schedule, with students completing three courses during the fall semester and two during the spring semester. This approach allows students to make consistent progress toward their goals while building the skills and confidence needed for future success.
The two students who have continued their education at CCBC after their release represent an early milestone for the initiative and illustrate how the program can help students carry their educational progress into the next stage of their lives.
Through this partnership, CCBC and the Beaver County Jail are working to reduce barriers to higher education and create opportunities for individuals to pursue their goals, develop new skills, and build a foundation for their future.
