Staff Associate, Program Coordinator for Prison Education (Grant-Funded)

Posting Details

Position Information

Title Staff Associate, Program Coordinator for Prison Education (Grant-Funded) Department Summary

From Bridgewater State University's inception in 1840 by Horace Mann as one of the first normal schools in America to the current day, BSU has worked to ensure that our students receive an accessible, affordable, and exceptional education. BSU aspires to be the leader in our mission class for closing equity gaps for Black/Cape Verdean, Latinx, Native American, Asian, and other students of color. BSU's institutional values, the work of the President's Special Task Force on Racial Justice, and leadership of the Racial Equity and Justice Institute underscore the campus' commitment to racial equity and other forms of social justice.

Position Summary

The purpose of the collaborative Prison Education initiative is to design and implement a formalized pathway that enables students enrolled in Massasoit Community College's Liberal Arts associate degree pathway at OCCC to transfer seamlessly into a bachelor's degree pathway at Bridgewater State University. The Program Coordinator for Prison Education supports implementation of a grant supported collaboration with Massasoit Community College resulting in Bridgewater State University's development of a state-recognized Prison Education Program (PEP).

The coordinator will be based at Bridgewater State University, with regular site visits to educational partners at Old Colony Correctional Center (OCCC) and Massasoit Community College (MCC).

Supervision Received:Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Supervision Exercised:N/A

Full-time, 12-month, APA position; Monday - Friday: 9am - 5pm.

Evening and weekend work may be required on an as needed basis.

This position is eligible for hybrid work in accordance with BSU remote work policy. Regular work locations will include Bridgewater State University, Old Colony Correctional Center in Bridgewater, MA, and Massasoit Community College's Canton campus site.

This is a grant funded position and is contingent upon availability of funds. This grant ends on July 31, 2027.

Essential Duties

1. Via structured learning opportunities, become the PEP content expert on campus, and share information with key BSU stakeholders. Areas include:

• Federal PEP approval requirements
• Department of Education compliance expectations
• Financial aid and Pell eligibility structures
• Correctional facility partnerships
• Student support models for incarcerated learners

2. Engage with MCC in planning and partnership development, to

• Establish collaborative planning meetings between MCC and BSU
• Identify aligned bachelor's degree pathways
• Review transfer feasibility and institutional requirements
• Develop advising and transfer planning framework

3. Work with academic leaders on curriculum alignment and transfer development, increasing BSU's capacity to:

• Conduct course equivalency and degree mapping reviews
• Develop transfer articulation structures
• Create advising tools and transfer materials for students
• Identify student support and transition needs

4. With the support of MCC partners, enhance institutional capacity building by:

• Gaining expertise in PEP operations and compliance
• Engaging with BSU faculty and staff in planning discussions regarding correctional higher education implementation
• Facilitate a campus review of operational considerations related to financial aid, student support, and correctional partnerships

5. Plan for pathway finalization and student transitional support including:

• Finalize transfer pathway documentation
• Introduce advising and transfer planning supports for students
• Establish long-term collaboration and future pathway expansion opportunities
• Development of application materials for the University to officially apply for formal Prison Education Program (PEP) status

6. Additional Responsibilities:

• Generate quarterly and annual reports for BSU, federal and state agencies as required
• Assists in seeking additional funding sources to support reentry education programming
• Represents the University on statewide and national committees as assigned
• Performs other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in education, counseling, psychology, criminal justice, business management or related field.
• Three (3) years of experience and/or training involving area of assignment, which may include business management, program/project management, grant administration, budget development, community relations, curriculum development, teaching, counseling, non-traditional student service; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, set priorities and manage multiple projects in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with high attention to detail.
• Strong teamwork abilities and demonstrated capacity to work across institutions, departments and/or disciplines.
• Strong public speaking and group facilitation skills.
• Excellent written communications skills
• Must be willing to work evenings and weekends

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse populations; emphasis on racial, cultural, and socio-economic diversity.
• Experience in higher education as staff or faculty.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with faculty/staff, students, and community members.
• Knowledge of local, state, and national laws, regulations, and directives related to criminal justice reform in higher education.
• Demonstrated experience in the delivery of workforce and vocational training.
• Demonstrated proficiency in the context of the following skillsets/competencies:
• Communication
• Organization
• Record management and confidentiality

Work Environment

Regular work locations will include Bridgewater State University, Old Colony Correctional Center in Bridgewater, MA, and Massasoit Community College's Canton campus site.

Bridgewater State University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified applicants and employee with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for the application process, please complete and submit this electronic form: https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?BridgewaterStateUniv&layout_id=18

Special Conditions for Eligibility

Please be aware that employment at Bridgewater State University is contingent upon completion of a successful background check. Bridgewater State University is an E-Verify employer. This position is not eligible for H-1B sponsorship.

EEO Statement

Bridgewater State University is an equal employment opportunity employer and considers all qualified candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability status, veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition or any other characteristic protected by law.

Position Type APA Professional Salary Range $66,000-$68,440

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number S01355P Open Date 08/26/2026 Application Review Start Date Close Date 09/02/2026 Open Until Filled No Special Instructions to Applicants

Please note the following information is required to complete your application for this position:

• A minimum of three (3) professional reference entries in space provided on the application form.
• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• • Are you currently a member of a collective bargaining unit that governs employment at Massachusetts State Universities?
• AFSCME
• APA
• MSCA
• Other

Documents Needed To Apply

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Optional Documents