Heather Claussen Erwin Email and Phone Number

The recently launched federal Second Chance Pell Pilot Program is making need-based financial aid available to students in prison for the first time in 20 years. Through the 69 selected colleges and universities in 28 states, more than 12,000 students will participate in the pilot. In doing so, they will demonstrate what a college education can do for incarcerated men and women, their families, and their communities. As part of the Second Chance Pell Experimental Sites Initiative team I provide training and technical assistance to these college and prison sites. I have worked extensively with indigent, incarcerated and at-risk populations in the U.S. examining the impact of access to education on incarceration and recidivism rates. I've worked for faith-based lobbying organizations, a death penalty moratorium project, and an alternative sentencing, drug treatment program for people who have been convicted of non-violent offenses. I believe strongly that education and open discourse are the keys to addressing issues of mass incarceration, the disenfranchisement of those living in poverty and people of color, and systemic, institutionalized racism. My latest projects include the development of a course introducing Critical Race Theory to incarcerated and disenfranchised students and engagement in preparations to teach a seminar course on the Vera Institute's Reimagining Prisons Project for the University of Iowa's Human Rights Certificate.I serve as a US Department of Education OVAE LINCS Forum Subject Matter Expert, approved Resource Reviewer and National Trainer. I received my JD from the University of Iowa School of Law, a BA from the University of Iowa, and am a Doctoral Candidate at Northcentral University. My latest educational undertaking is gaining me first hand experience in using the distance learning platforms I've encouraged correctional educators to use as tools for increasing access to education for incarcerated students.