The Women’s College Partnership (WCP) has been awarded a grant from The Sunshine Lady Foundation that will provide a fully funded pathway for WCP students who are released from prison before completing their Associate of Arts (AA) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) degrees.
Through this grant, up to 10 students per year over the next three years will have the opportunity to continue their education with Marian University’s online program. The award covers full tuition, a loaner laptop (which students may keep upon graduation), textbooks, supplies, and dedicated academic support.
The initiative will be administered by WCP in partnership with Marian University Online and is designed to ensure students can transition smoothly from correctional education into continued success upon release. With additional funding, WCP hopes to extend the program indefinitely.
“This grant ensures that the hard work our students begin inside doesn’t end at the prison gates,” said Justin McDevitt, Director of the Women’s College Partnership. “The Sunshine Lady Foundation’s generosity affirms the dignity and potential of our students, giving them the resources to complete their degrees and transform their futures. We are proud to partner with Marian University Online to continue this life-changing work.”
The Sunshine Lady Foundation, founded by philanthropist Doris Buffett, is dedicated to expanding educational opportunities for individuals who are incarcerated or have been formerly incarcerated. This partnership aligns with WCP’s mission of expanding access to higher education and fostering long-term personal and professional growth for women pursuing degrees through Marian University.
