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Mothers are a powerful force for change — eager to set their families and communities on a positive path forward. But many encounter significant barriers to personal and professional growth, particularly justice-involved mothers: those who have had contact with the criminal justice system. These individuals are more likely to face mental health challenges and economic insecurity, creating a cycle that can increase the likelihood of further justice involvement.
College can offer a way out of this cycle, but the same obstacles that cause instability can make higher education feel out of reach. The right support programs can change that.
At Marian University, our reentry education programs for mothers are built on our core values — peace and justice, reconciliation, responsible stewardship, and the dignity of the individual. Discover how our research-backed approach makes a genuine difference in the lives of justice-involved mothers, their families, and communities.
Marian University has a long history of supporting underserved populations, and, thanks to Marian's own Executive Director of Online Innovation — Dr. Lesley Neff — that effort now extends to justice-involved mothers. It all began with Neff's capstone research, completed in 2023.
Through her qualitative research study, Dr. Neff took a close look at the lived experiences of Indiana's formerly incarcerated mothers. Along the way, she uncovered many structural barriers along with internal challenges that prevented justice-involved mothers from leveraging what could otherwise prove a powerful opportunity: the "transition from prison to community."
In her capstone, Dr. Neff argued that institutions of higher education would be better served by actively embracing the "gifts of those who have been stigmatized." She created a guide (described by Dr. Neff as a "compass") to help address key structural challenges, using pre-college workshops, for example, to help women feel welcome and prepared.
This compass led to the creation of Marian's Committee on College Pathways for Mothers with Justice Involvement, which uses Dr. Neff's research to inspire action and genuine change. This committee brings together justice-involved women and Marian faculty members to create practical solutions that build confidence and self-efficacy, one step at a time.
Marian's college programs for formerly incarcerated mothers are rooted in a deep understanding of the many barriers that these women face. Dr. Neff identified these in her capstone, while committee members with lived experience shed additional light on what it's like to navigate higher education as a justice-involved mother. These barriers fall into two main categories, which can ultimately amplify one another if not systematically (and holistically) addressed.
A complex web of external barriers can prevent even highly motivated women from accessing higher education opportunities. Common concerns include:
External barriers can feel discouraging, but as Dr. Neff reminds us, internal barriers can feel incapacitating. These can prevent justice-involved women from fully leveraging higher education opportunities even when they're able to overcome financial challenges or other tangible obstacles. In particular, Dr. Neff references stigma and Post Traumatic Prison Disorder (PTTD) as damaging to women following incarceration.
While the lessening of external barriers can help soften some internal challenges, these unique barriers require targeted strategies of their own, designed to boost confidence and rebuild a sense of identity. Without these offerings, formerly incarcerated mothers may face the following internal challenges:
Internal and external barriers need not prevent justice-involved mothers from embracing academic opportunities. Marian University addresses these obstacles by offering robust reentry support in higher education. At Marian, key components of second chance education for mothers include:
Thoughtfully designed events provide ample opportunities for women with justice involvement to find connection and support. These low-pressure experiences feel welcome as they step into college spaces. Many are held on-campus to build comfort with the college setting. For example, workshops and open houses introduce women to faculty members and other friendly faces from the campus community.
Community-hosted experiences are also regularly scheduled, drawing on Marian's strong relationships with local nonprofits. These events meet women where they're at, offering insight into resources or support systems that make college easier to navigate. Inspired by Dr. Neff’s 2023 capstone intervention, welcoming events help to soften internal challenges such as fear of judgment, proving to formerly incarcerated women that they are accepted and embraced exactly as they are.
The practical challenges of navigating higher education can feel intimidating to justiceinvolved mothers, but, through pre-college programming, future students feel more comfortable about admissions, financial aid, and other essential resources or processes. These workshops also introduce students to virtual conferencing and research tools, so they feel prepared to fully participate in college experiences.
Mock college course experiences go even further, illustrating what it's like to step into the classroom environment and just how welcoming these spaces can feel. Reentry education programs even address core barriers head-on through roundtable discussions that encourage mothers to voice their concerns and to find solidarity with women who have walked through similar challenges.
Reciprocal mentoring brings a two-way approach to collaborative relationships, offering mutually beneficial opportunities to learn and grow. This strategy does not position one person strictly as mentor or mentee, but rather, acknowledges that both participants have something to gain.
At Marian, mentoring programs for formerly incarcerated mothers build confidence through shared storytelling and social skill-building. These programs are intentionally cultivated with the recognition that one-sided mentorships can sometimes feel isolating. Campus-based, peer-to-peer mentoring programs encourage participants to share their unique gifts and perspectives, inspiring shared strength and mutual growth.
Marian's justice involved mothers college pathways draw on the Franciscan values that shape every aspect of campus life. Dignity of the individual, for example, shows up as each woman is treated as a unique and valuable person who is inherently worthy of compassion and respect. Reconciliation relates to the ongoing healing journey, encouraging women to regain trust in themselves and in others.
Stewardship reveals how campus resources are used in ways that uplift students from diverse backgrounds, while values such as peace and justice drive broader advocacy for fair access and equitable treatment. This is not a matter of imposing charity, but rather, reinforces Marian's commitment to building capacity, creating pathways that empower women while honoring their strengths.
Although focused on the unique challenges faced by mothers, Marian's approach to reentry support in higher education benefits all justice-involved students. Our wraparound services benefit diverse students by addressing the many academic, social, and financial challenges that can emerge when exploring higher education pathways.
At Marian, academic advising builds confidence while community partnerships extend opportunities beyond campus. We want to help all students thrive within our deeply supportive academic environment.
Education can reshape individual futures along with entire families and communities. Marian University promotes accessible pathways, complete with research-based programming, reciprocal mentoring, and intentional support structures. We're committed to removing barriers and restoring opportunities for justice-involved mothers.
Look to Marian for support as you explore college reentry or mentorship opportunities. Learn about our approach to higher education for justice involved mothers and the resources that enable diverse students to live out our Franciscan values. We are ready to help you take the next step toward a stronger, more confident future.
