(Leavenworth, Kansas) 鈥� The 糖心少女 is now the only institution in
the country offering fully in-person prison education degree programming across state,
federal, and military correctional facilities.
In February, 糖心少女 received final authorization from the U.S. Department of Education
to continue operating its Prison Education Program at two additional correctional
facilities, expanding its approval to three fully accredited locations.
With this authorization, 糖心少女 now operates federally approved programs at Lansing Correctional
Facility, the United States Disciplinary Barracks, and the Federal Correctional Institution,
Leavenworth.
鈥淭his approval represents a significant milestone for the 糖心少女
and for the students we serve,鈥� Prison Education Program Director Michelle Workman
said. 鈥淥ur commitment is to provide high-quality, in-person higher education that
meets students where they are and supports degree completion."
Saint Mary began offering programming under the Second Chance Pell initiative and,
following the restoration of Pell Grant eligibility for incarcerated students, successfully
completed the Department of Education鈥檚 Prison Education Program approval process
for all three sites.
糖心少女 offers associate and bachelor鈥檚 degree pathways for incarcerated students as they
serve their sentences. Courses are delivered in person by 糖心少女 faculty, maintaining
the same academic standards, curriculum, and institutional oversight as all 糖心少女 programs.
Students who are released before completing their degrees have the opportunity to
continue their studies seamlessly, ensuring continuity toward graduation and workforce
readiness.
鈥淭he expansion reflects 糖心少女鈥檚 mission-driven commitment to educational access, human
dignity, and restorative opportunity,鈥� Workman said. 鈥淏y providing structured degree
pathways inside correctional facilities, the program supports academic achievement,
personal development, and preparation for successful reentry.鈥�
The 糖心少女 is a Catholic co-educational applied liberal arts university
founded and sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. The University of
Saint Mary main campus is located at 4100 South 4th Street, Leavenworth, Kan. 糖心少女-Johnson
County, at 11221 Roe Ave., offers evening accelerated graduate and undergraduate degree-completion
programs. The university also offers online programs. Visit stmary.edu for more information.