In late July, members of the Southern Higher Education in Prison Collective (SHEPC) visited Nashville for a transformative experience focused on learning and collaboration. From July 23rd to 26th, seven members of SHEPC, including professors, students, and staff from universities like Mississippi Valley State University, University of Louisville, and UNC Chapel Hill, as well as representatives from the Mississippi Department of Corrections, Resilience Education, and Operation Restoration, gathered to explore and engage with two of Tennessee's leading prison education programs.

On July 24th, the group visited Lipscomb University's LIFE program at the Debra K. Johnson Rehabilitation Center (DJRC), where they connected with students, staff, professors, and alumni. The following day, July 25th, the collective visited the Turney Center Industrial Complex (TCIX) to learn more about THEI's programming, including the impact it has on the lives of justice-impacted individuals.

During their visit, the SHEPC members also met with THEI staff at Ogburn House to discuss THEI's various programs and initiatives, further fostering a sense of community and shared purpose among those dedicated to higher education in prison. This visit served as an opportunity for meaningful exchange, allowing visitors to witness firsthand the transformative power of education.

Scroll through the photos below to get a glimpse of this impactful visit.