First Advisor
Lahman, Maria K. E.
First Committee Member
Ku, Heng-Yu
Second Committee Member
Ward, Kyle
Third Committee Member
Hess, Robyn S.
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Document Type
Dissertation
Date Created
5-2025
Department
College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, Leadership Policy and Development: Higher Education and P-12 Education, LPD Student Work
Abstract
The purpose of this critical case study was to better understand the experiences of previously incarcerated adults in a community college. This research was informed by critical criminology (Brown, 2009), especially the societal eye of the panopticon (Foucault, 1975/1977). Furthermore, I expanded on this with Paulo Freire’s (2005) work on oppression and education. This research was also informed by the existing literature on community college students in three areas: those who have been incarcerated, those in on-campus addiction recovery support, and those employed in work-study positions. Through semi-structured interviews, photo-elicitation interviews, and a review of the material data, four previously incarcerated community college students’ experiences were explored. The findings fall into themes around enrollment, classroom culture and academics, financial struggles, campus supports, and how the past has implications for the students’ futures. Recommendations from these themes are to include incarceration background in the language and programming in Centers for Diversity and Inclusion, clarify language around work-study positions, provide on-campus addiction and mental health support, train faculty and staff who work in career and transfer services on navigating the impacts of a felony record, and offer faculty trainings to better support previously incarcerated students in the classroom.
Abstract Format
html
Language
English
Places
Greeley, Colorado
Extent
167 pages
Local Identifiers
Friesen_unco_0161D_11309
Rights Statement
Copyright is held by the author.
Digital Origin
Born digital
Recommended Citation
Friesen, Megan, "Reversing the Panopticon: Perspectives of Previously Incarcerated Adults in Community College" (2025). Dissertations. 1168.
https://digscholarship.unco.edu/dissertations/1168