On Friday, May 5, Georgia State University’s Perimeter College will graduate its first class of students who have completed their college degree while incarcerated.
Nine students at Walker State Prison in Rock Spring, Ga., will receive their associate degrees in general studies. The students participated in Georgia State University’s Prison Education Project (GSUPEP), which provides college courses in prisons. All students completed the 60 credit hours required for an associate degree.
Among the nine graduates, three are graduating with highest honors with 3.9-4.0 GPAs, and six are graduating with high honors, achieving a GPA of 3.70-3.89. All coursework— from English to environmental science; from geology to philosophy and ethics— is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and was taught by Perimeter College faculty who traveled to the prison to teach the students.
Students will graduate in cap and gown, with Georgia State President Dr. M. Brian Blake and Perimeter College Interim Dean Dr. Cynthia Lester bestowing their degrees virtually.
“Not only have these students demonstrated that they are critical thinkers by completing a degree, but they’ve also shown tremendous character to seek education and follow it through to the end,” said President Blake. “The degree they rightfully earned can never be taken away.”
Georgia State faculty and prison staff will also attend the closed ceremony.
For most of the students in the program, the education they received is the first time they’ve earned a degree.
“I learned several things about myself throughout the course of completing this degree, but the most important to me is that I do have worthwhile thoughts, ideas and insights,” one new graduate said. “My long-term goal is to use the skills I’ve learned and developed to make positive and meaningful contributions to humanity. My immediate goals are to help others reach their education goals and to help them learn how…
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