About us
MiCHEP is a collaborative organization of institutions of higher education and the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC). The Consortium consults with and works in partnership with the Michigan Department of Corrections Education Section. The Michigan Department of Corrections Education Section utilizes the Consortium as a policy advisor to coordinate higher education offerings in Michigan correctional facilities.
Our Purpose
​Share information between member institutions and MDOC
Identify and/or develop funding sources
Collaborate on data collection and dissemination related to higher education programming in MDOC facilities​
​Cultivate constituency relations
​Recognize standard policies for MDOC regarding students
Coordinate legislative advocacy in consultation with MDOC on matters of mutual interest at the state and Federal levels
Provide students with a reasonable range of higher education options consistent with their vocational aspirations and personal interests
​Advise MDOC on common procedures related to and in support of higher education in MDOC facilities, including technology access and usage that:​
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Reflects best practices in post-secondary teaching and learning
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Respects MDOC's security obligations
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Is consistent with the Consortium's commitment to equity
2023-2025 Strategic Goals
Develop, implement, and assess technology solutions that support curricular needs of incarcerated college students.​​​​
Establish the highest possible congruence between prison learning sites and main campuses with respect to instructional quality, student support, institutional transfer, residential study spaces, and instructional spaces.
Develop and pilot onboarding approaches that prepare professors and academic support personnel to do their work with maximum effectiveness given the particular needs of their students and the environment in which they live and work.
Strengthen MiCHEP’s ability to sustain itself for the purpose of establishing it as the most trusted source of information about higher education in Michigan prisons and advancing its mission into the future.
Philosophy
MiCHEP champions the transformative power of higher education for incarcerated students, correctional staff, and Michigan communities. The Consortium and its members are committed to delivering high-quality programs that promote personal agency, dignity, economic opportunity, and successful reentry into society as informed, engaged citizens.
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MiCHEP honors the diverse missions of its public and private member institutions, supporting a range of educational approaches—from liberal arts to professional and faith-based models. It affirms equitable access and treatment for all incarcerated students, including students of color, disabled students, members of the LGBTQ+ community, students from all religious backgrounds, and those at the state’s women’s facility, and prioritizes face-to-face, synchronous instruction. Members are dedicated to providing a holistic, equitable educational experience on par with their main campuses.
A brief history of MiCHEP
Prior to the establishment of MiCHEP, institutions that offered programs for incarcerated students would meet informally, often in virtual spaces, to share updates and best practices. In 2022, the Vera Institute of Justice supported a series of meetings that led to the development of a constitution that would serve as the framework for MiCHEP’s formal establishment. The constitution was signed by the founding members in May 2023 at a college in prison conference at Calvin University.
August 2025
December 2024
October 2024
May 2024
October 2023
MiCHEP constitution ratified
Fiscal Sponsorship Agreement with the Michigan College Access Network
MiCHEP advocates for Michigan HB 5175, 5176, and 5177
First students graduate in the MiCHEP era
Student Voice Councils established in all MiCHEP prison campuses
May 2023
MiCHEP and partners launch the Thrive Collective
July 2025
June 2025
MiCHEP promotes standards for library services
Wayne State University launches 13th degree program in Michigan's 17th prison
Onwards to a more educated future!
