MCC Receives Accelerator Grant from New England Prison Education Collaborative

Middlesex Community College is one of four New England institutions to receive grant funding from the New England Prison Education Collaborative (NEPEC), with support from Ascendium's Education Philanthropy. Middlesex will receive $100,000 to expand the college's Prison Education Program.

"This program reflects MCC's deep and ongoing commitment to ensuring that a period of incarceration does not have to mean the end of someone's education or their future," said Heloisa DaCunha, MCC's Dean of Business, Legal Studies, Public Service & Education. "The expansion of this partnership and the growing number of credentials now available to students represents a significant step forward in reducing recidivism, building pathways to family-sustaining careers, and affirming that higher education is a right, not a privilege reserved for those outside prison walls."

Subscribe

As part of the NEPEC funding, MCC will expand its offerings to include the Community Leadership Certificate, a program created by MCC English Department Chair Jill Keller. The certificate includes a work-based internship in partnership with UTEC in Lowell. After their release, students continue with UTEC through a paid internship placement while completing their last courses at the college.

The grant also supports a new Re-Entry Navigator position, which will help students continue their education at MCC after release.To support the program's growth, MCC has established the Office of Educational Justice & Re-Entry and named David Delvalle as director. Delvalle joins MCC from Tufts University, where he was the Director of Education and Reentry.

In the Fall 2025 semester, MCC launched the Prison Education Program in partnership with the Middlesex Sheriff's Office. The Middlesex Jail & House of Correction in Billerica was approved as an additional instructional location for Middlesex by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) in 2024.

Since the program launched, 21 students have enrolled in MCC's entrepreneurship certificate, with four completing thus far. The students were recognized at a commencement ceremony at the House of Correction in September 2026.

MCC has submitted a proposal to NECHE to add three new programs at the House of Correction, including the community leadership certificate and associate degrees in liberal studies and business administration. Pending approval, the college plans to begin offering courses in these programs in Spring 2027. This fall, a new cohort of 22 students began classes at the House of Correction, and MCC is preparing to launch a second cohort for jusice-impacted women later this semester.

Expanding educational opportunities for justice-impacted individuals has long been a priority for Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian and the Middlesex Sheriff's Office. This included Sheriff Koutoujian's longtime support for restoring Pell Grants for justice-impacted students.

"We want to congratulate Middlesex Community College on securing this funding from NEPEC and the expansion of our course offerings to incarcerated individuals," Sheriff Koutoujian said. "Education is a vital part of rehabilitation, and these efforts that we and MCC have undertaken will open new doors for those in our care. The certificates and degrees earned through this program can profoundly impact the future of these individuals, their families, and our communities."

The Prison Education Program is tied to MCC's broader commitment to access and student success through the college's participation in Achieving the Dream (ATD), according to DaCunha. The national network of community colleges focuses on closing gaps through data-driven, student-success-focused strategies.

In addition to taking classes for credit, students at the House of Corrections receive access to MCC's student support services and resources collegewide. Representatives from the Offices of Admissions, Enrollment, Financial Aid and Advising work with the students to help keep them on track to reach their goals.

Jeffrey Tejada, MCC's Director of International Admissions & Compliance, coordinates the admission, placement and registration process for students, as well as serves as the point person with the House of Corrections. In his role, he focuses on helping students have a smooth path to beginning their college education.

"This has been some of the most rewarding work I've done at MCC," Tejada said. "Our impact is especially evident when working directly with these students, as access to higher education creates meaningful opportunities and a new path forward."

The Registrar's Office builds course sections around the facility's schedule and space, using an accelerated eight-week Mini-mester format. Representatives from MCC's Office of Financial Aid visit the House of Corrections to work with students to complete their FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). MCC's offices for support services rotate on-site to provide assistance to hone key strategies for success.

"We facilitate workshops focused on key student success skills, including time management and organization, professional communication, and stress management," said Tiffany Laudano, MCC's Director of SUCCESS Scholars Program. "The goal is to establish a connection with students while they are incarcerated, so that, upon their release, they are familiar with our services and can transition into our SUCCESS Scholars program for continued support and resources."

As an open access institution, MCC strives to provide access to higher education to all members of the community. The Prison Education Program is another way for the college to remove barriers to education for populations who would not otherwise have the opportunity.

"MCC recognizes that access to a college credential can be one of the most powerful tools for someone rebuilding their lives after incarceration," DaCunha said. "Our justice-impacted students are adult learners pursuing degrees and certificates with the same seriousness, ambition, and academic standards as any student at MCC."