School Days at SCI Waymart

While students head back to school this month, the learning never stopped in the DOC as educational programs continue year-round with students working towards their diplomas, certifications and degrees.

SCI Waymart Principal Michelle Lipko shares about the exciting opportunities available to the incarcerated students at her facility, including how her team views their role in the reentry process and what’s next for her school.

During the interview, Principal Lipko mentioned new names for the vocational programs at SCI Waymart. To learn more about them, visit our blog.

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Villanova University’s Most Unique Branch Campus

For 50 years, Villanova University has educated incarcerated students at SCI Graterford/SCI Phoenix, where they take the same programs and courses from the same professors as their peers in Philadelphia. Villanova University at SCI Phoenix Director Katherine Meloney joined the podcast to reflect on the recent graduation — which saw administrators and professors from Villanova in attendance — and what it means to the graduates and their families. She also takes a look ahead at where she’d like to see the program go next.

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Employee Spotlight: RN Nick Freedman

SCI Laurel Highlands Registered Nurse Nick Freedman began his nursing career in his 50’s and his weight-lifting career in his 60’s — yet he’s rocked them both and become a record-breaking power lifter in the process. In this episode, we shine the spotlight on one of the DOC’s most interesting and inspiring employees and learn about Nick’s journey so far, what’s next for him and what advice he has for others.

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Gardening with the SCI Muncy VSU

SCI Muncy features one of five Veterans Service Units in the DOC, and recently it started a new project: a Victory Garden. In this episode, Unit Manager Celeste Brucklacher joins the podcast to explain what a Victory Garden is, what vegetables they’ve got growing so far, and what they have planned for the future of this unique program — including how veterans on the inside will soon be helping veterans on the outside.

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Second-Chance Hiring with Flagger Force

In honor of Second Chance Month, Flagger Force Vice President of Human Resources Jen Strobel visits the podcast to discuss her organizations efforts in hiring reentrants, what they’ve learned so far and why it is so important to offer that second chance.

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