Marian University is honored to be selected as a founding partner in a groundbreaking national initiative to advance postsecondary education for incarcerated learners. The University of Utah has received an $8 million award from Ascendium Education Group to launch the Prison Education Action Research Lab (PEARL), the first center of its kind in the United States dedicated to research, leadership development, and evidence-based practice in prison education.
As part of PEARL’s inaugural Prison Education Research Initiative (PERI) cohort, Marian University will join 22 colleges and universities nationwide in a multi-institutional study aimed at improving outcomes for incarcerated students and expanding access to high-quality degree pathways.
“Marian University is deeply committed to educational access, human dignity, and the transformative power of learning,” said President Daniel J. Elsener.
“Our participation in this national study allows us to contribute to emerging scholarship and elevate effective practices so that more individuals have the opportunity to earn a college education, no matter their circumstances.”
Led by University of Utah associate professor Erin L. Castro, PEARL will serve as a national hub for research, practitioner development, and data-driven leadership in prison education. The initiative will examine the long-term academic, workforce, and social outcomes of incarcerated learners, generating actionable insights for institutions, community partners, and policymakers.
Through PERI, researchers will collect longitudinal data across diverse prison education programs to identify what works and why. Participating institutions, including Marian University, will collaborate to share best practices, strengthen evaluation capacity, and ensure that incarcerated students receive the same level of academic quality and support offered on traditional campuses.
The PERI inaugural cohort includes: Adams State University (CO); Arkansas State University–Newport (AR); Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (NC); Augustana College (IL); Barton Community College (KS); Charles Stewart Mott Community College (MI); Chemeketa Community College (OR); Connecticut State Community College (CT); Cornell University (NY); Davis Technical College (UT); Lee College (TX); Life University (GA); Marian University (IN); Metropolitan Community College (NE); Metropolitan State University (MN); Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (NC); Washington University in St. Louis (MO); University of Puget Sound (WA); University of Saint Mary (KS); Voorhees University (SC); and Wesleyan University (CT).
Marian University’s involvement aligns with its mission to serve the greater good through education, leadership, and service, especially among communities historically underserved by higher education.