Virginia Wesleyan University has launched one of its most transformative initiatives: an education program designed to provide incarcerated individuals with access to higher education and equip them with the skills needed for successful reentry.
Housed within VWU’s Center for Urban Leadership Education, this initiative offers:
- A bachelor’s degree track for incarcerated students
- A tuition-reimbursed degree pathway for corrections officers
Through a partnership with the Urban League of Hampton Roads and the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC), VWU is bringing accredited university courses and degree programs to St. Brides and Indian Creek Correctional Facilities in Chesapeake.
Virginia Wesleyan is the first four-year institution in Virginia to take a bachelor's degree program to people behind prison walls, changing lives and creating opportunities for those transitioning out of incarceration. This pioneering effort underscores VWU’s commitment to expanding access to higher education and providing life-changing opportunities to underserved populations.
Our Vision
At Â鶹´«Ã½rtb, we believe that education is a powerful force for transformation, breaking cycles of incarceration and opening doors to new opportunities. The VWU-Chesapeake Incarcerated Persons ReEntry Program represents our unwavering commitment to expanding access to higher education for those who have historically been underserved. By bringing a rigorous, accredited bachelor’s degree program to individuals at St. Brides and Indian Creek Correctional Facilities, we are not only equipping students with academic knowledge but also fostering critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and a sense of purpose that extends far beyond prison walls.
Our vision is to create a model of higher education in correctional settings that empowers students to successfully reenter society, secure meaningful employment, and contribute positively to their communities. Through this initiative, we aim to reduce recidivism, enhance prison culture, and support the rehabilitation mission of corrections. By investing in education for incarcerated individuals and corrections officers alike, VWU is leading the way in reimagining pathways to opportunity—proving that a second chance, powered by knowledge, can change lives and strengthen communities.
Evidence & Impact
News & Updates
Contact Us
For more information about the VWU-Chesapeake Incarcerated Persons ReEntry Program, please contact:
Dr. Susan Larkin
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
757.455.3210
slarkin@vwu.edu
Media Inquiries:
David Brandt
Executive Director, Marking & Communications
757.233.8757
dbrandt@vwu.edu