Velocity - Magazine - Page 21
The
Community
Partners
BELIEVING IN
THE SYSTEM
by Jennifer Snyder
“Although I have a passion for
Malisa Kringle is a champion of second chances. To her,
the partnership between the Nebraska Department of
Correctional Services and Southeast Community College
is giving incarcerated individuals the power to unlock the
ultimate second chance before they re-enter society. She
considers this the most meaningful work she has ever done.
rehabilitative work in general,
there is a special place in my heart
for postsecondary education,” said
The results have been impressive.
“These outcomes directly support
Kringle, NDCS assistant director of
In the Fall 2025 semester, 92 students
our goal of reducing recidivism and
programs. “I am thankful to work
within NDCS facilities were named to
strengthening communities across
alongside visionaries who believe in an
the SCC Dean’s List. For Kringle, those
Nebraska,” she said. “Programs like this
individual’s ability to grow, learn, and
names represent something far bigger
reflect the understanding that it truly
become a better version of themself.”
than academic achievement.
takes a village – corrections, educational
partners, and the broader community –
This kind of work wasn’t always
“When individuals are given access to
possible. For almost three decades,
high-quality education and the support
incarcerated students were locked
to succeed, they rise to the occasion,”
out of federal Pell Grant funding,
she said. “It challenges stereotypes and
postsecondary education isn’t to get
a consequence of the 1994 Crime
demonstrates that talent and drive
someone through a sentence. It’s about
Bill. When the federal government
are not defined by past mistakes. The
sending them home with the tools,
restored that eligibility in 2023,
outcomes we’re seeing are a strong
confidence, and credentials to succeed.
everything changed.
indicator of the long-term impact this
“It was the catalyst for the work we
program can have.”
to create sustainable, long-term change.”
Overall, the goal of rehabilitation and
“This work is about hope and
opportunity,” Kringle explained.
are doing today,” Kringle explained. “It
SCC faculty have echoed that
“Programs like this not only change
removed a major financial barrier and
sentiment, often speaking about the
individual lives, but it creates a ripple
allowed partners like SCC to sustainably
caliber and commitment of the students
effect that benefits families and
offer accredited college programs inside
they teach inside NDCS facilities. It’s
communities across Nebraska. I’m
our facilities. This policy created an
a reminder that the partnership isn’t
proud to be part of a system that is
opportunity for us to move from limited
just administrative, it’s relational.
committed to growth, innovation, and
educational offering to intentional, fully
Instructors, students, and a system
second chances.”
developed degree pathways.”
investing in what comes next.
Join Us
The path forward isn’t built by one person, it’s built by a community that believes
everyone deserves the opportunity to grow. When you support UPWARD, you’re not
just investing in education. You’re investing in families, in safer communities, and in the
simple, powerful idea that people can change.
June 2026
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