News
A mission of second chances: AWC brings associate degrees to incarcerated students
October 15, 2026Partnership with the ADCRR and ASPC-Yuma emphasizes access to education and community reintegration
Yuma, Ariz. (October 15, 2026) – Arizona Western College has expanded its programming at the Arizona State Prison Complex–Yuma through a partnership with the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry.
The expansion of the Prison Education Program (PEP) creates a pathway for incarcerated individuals to obtain an AWC Associate of Arts degree. The program aims to achieve sustained student success by removing barriers to education, maximizing intellectual and personal growth, and empowering students to reenter society with accredited credentials and workforce-ready skills.
“Education should never be defined by where someone has been, but by where they have the potential to go,” said Dr. Reetika Dhawan, President of Arizona Western College. “National research has found that individuals who participate in correctional education have 43% lower odds of returning to incarceration. That is not just a statistic; it represents families reunited, stronger communities, and lives redirected toward opportunity. Building on our 20-year partnership with the ADCRR, we are creating pathways from incarceration to meaningful careers and continued education.”
Dr. Dhawan personally thanked ADCRR Director, Dr. Ryan Thornell, for his contributions to the new program.
“I am especially grateful to Director Thornell and our dedicated partners for sharing this vision,” Dr. Dhawan added. “At AWC, we believe talent exists everywhere, but opportunity does not. Our responsibility is to help change that.”
“Our partnership with AWC builds on the collaborative energy across the Yuma community, bringing real, meaningful educational opportunities to the incarcerated learners in our Yuma prison,” Dr. Thornell said. “I am excited to support this prison education program and am already looking forward to expanding its reach. Thank you to Dr. Dhawan and the AWC team, and Warden Rosas-Parra and the Yuma team, for recognizing the power of education in prison and making this possible. Together we are strengthening public safety.”
The program is fully accredited and has been approved for federal funding for students that meet FAFSA-eligibility requirements. All courses are designed by AWC faculty and fully transferrable to Arizona’s state universities.
“Something like this takes a whole team,” said Bryan Doak, AWC Executive Vice President for Learning & Student Services. “Our faculty have planned the curriculum and learned new programming to build the online courses. Our financial aid team worked with the state to make this happen. Patrick Cunningham is the new Prison Education Manager—he is doing all the hard work on the ground from admissions, financial aid, and recruitment to make this happen. It’s amazing to see our mission in action through the longstanding partnership we have with the prison.”
13 students began courses this week as the first cohort of the program. Attending eight-week classes on ADCRR-issued tablets, the students can take two courses per session to achieve an Associate of Arts degree in two years.
“The rigor of this program is the same as it is for all of our students,” said Elaine Groggett, AWC Executive Director of Centralized Scheduling, Assessment, Curriculum, and Special Projects. “The curriculum covers foundational courses in English, math, business, and even artificial intelligence. We’ve made sure that whether students want to go on to a university or into an entrepreneurial pathway, they will have the opportunity to do so.”
For students who don’t qualify for FAFSA funding, the AWC Foundation has established the Second Chance Scholarship Fund, which is already attracting community support.
“The fund provides an opportunity for the Foundation to expand our outreach to students across the entire Yuma community,” said Laura Knaresboro, Chief Operating Officer of the AWC Foundation. “If you want to support this program, any amount can make a difference.”
Anyone interested in supporting the program can give online at the AWC Foundation website or contact the AWC Foundation at foundation@azwestern.edu or (928) 344-1720. To give online, select “Second Chance Scholarship” in the drop-down menu.
###
About Arizona Western College:
Arizona Western College (AWC) serves Yuma and La Paz counties by offering more than 170 degree and certificate programs, workforce training, and community education opportunities. Committed to transforming lives and creating thriving communities., AWC prepares students for careers in high-demand industries through strong partnerships with Arizona's public universities and local employers.
About Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation, and Reentry
The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation, and Reentry (ADCRR) and its more than 8,000 officers and professional staff are committed to its mission of enhancing public safety across Arizona through modern, effective correctional practices and meaningful engagements. For more information, visit corrections.az.gov.
Contact:
Elaine Groggett
Executive Director of Centralized Scheduling, Assessment, Curriculum, and Special Projects
Arizona Western College
elaine.groggett@azwestern.edu
(928) 317-6043