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Sept 28, 2026

Arianna Puskarz is an undergraduate political science and psychology major, and an EJP intern this semester.

Fall EJP Interns

Restructuring our internship program was one of the best moves we've made in several years.

EJP's long been fortunate to have many UIUC students working with us each semester, learning about prison reentry, higher education in prison, and the criminal legal system while assisting our work. In 2025, we introduced several changes to the internship program--most notably, we started offering course credit through the Department of Education, Policy, Organization, and Leadership in the College of Education. We also added a weekly seminar component, explicit learning objectives, and more opportunities for interns to get to know one another and become familiar with EJP as a whole.

The results have been fantastic. It feels to me like we're getting the cream of the crop from across campus in terms of our interns' commitment, compassion, and spirit. In reading a recent blog post written by one of our new interns, Arianna Puskarz, I have reason to hope that our interns are getting at least as much out of the internship as EJP is. She writes, "I wanted to join this organization to get more professional experience in things like writing, research, and communicating with others. Ever since beginning my internship, I have gained all of these experiences and more."

This year we expanded the program so that graduate students are also eligible. We're accepting internship applications for spring 2027, as with our college-in-prison program, policy & research team, and Prison to Gown Pathway, until November 15, 2026.

Take Care,

Rebecca Ginsburg

EJP Director



Upcoming EJP Events

EJP Becoming a Center

Tuesday Sept 29

5 - 6pm Central

Via Zoom

EJP hosts two town halls each year, providing opportunity for EJP members and interested others to discuss matters related to EJP administration and governance. Topics covered typically include staffing, facilities, status of contracts and MOUs, funding, and the like.

The RSVP link, below, invites you to pose questions in advance so we can be sure to have answers and data ready for you.

We'll post an agenda in advance of the meeting. You'll receive a Zoom link after RSVPing, or join in person at 1001 S. Wright St, Champaign, Room 216.

If you have any questions or concerns, or need any accommodations to fully participate, please reach out to events@educationjustice.net.

EJP Info Sessions

Oct 1, Oct 27, Nov 11

We're hosting a series of info sessions this fall for those wanting to learn more about opportunities with EJP in 2027.

EJP is accepting applications until November 15, 2026 from individuals who wish to be part of EJP's college-in-prison program at Danville Correctional Center, our Prison to Gown Pathway, and Policy & Research team.

For-credit instructors are compensated; other positions are not. Prison clearance is not required for Prison to Gown or Policy & Research.

You can learn more from the flyer below, which provides detailed information about upcoming EJP info tables and information sessions held via Zoom. We request that individuals RSVP for the info sessions.

Thurs Oct 1, 4 - 5

Tues Oct 27, 12 - 1

Wed Nov 11, 12 - 1

You don't have to stay the entire hour. These are "drop in" sessions.

If you have any questions or concerns, or need any accommodations to fully participate, please reach out to events@educationjustice.net.

RIPPLE Effect

Tuesday Oct 6

5:30 - 7pm

Bethel AME Church

401 E. Park St, Champaign

RIPPLE stands for "Reaching Into Prisons with Purpose and Love." It's an event EJP holds regularly to support those of us who have loved ones in prison or jail. We gather to write cards of encouragement to individuals from Champaign county who are behind bars. All supplies are provided, including cards, recipient lists, and helpful suggestions for appropriate messages. Please note this is not a penpal service.

If you know someone who'd appreciate hearing from RIPPLE, please send their contact information to info@educationjustice.net.

If you'd like to attend this family-friend event (pizza served), please RSVP below.

If you have any questions or concerns, or need any accommodations to fully participate, please reach out to events@educationjustice.net.

Friday Forum - Stan Andrisse

Friday Oct 9

12 - 1pm

Campus YMCA

1001 S. Wright St, Champaign

EJP's Prison to Gown Pathway program is co-hosting the Campus YMCA's Oct. 9 Friday Forum! Guest speaker Stanley Andrisse, a faculty member at Howard University School of Medicine and Georgetown Medical Center, will share about his journey from incarceration to scientist and why pathways to higher education are so important.

Stan Andrisse is the founder of From Prison Cells to PhD, a non-profit that seeks to change the lives of individuals with criminal convictions through mentoring and advocacy. He's the author of a memoir by the same name and a 2025 anthology, Breaking Chains, Building Futures. A limited number of copies of that book will be available to EJP members in advance, or available for purchase at the event.

Like All Friday Forum events, the talk is free and lunch will be provided by the YMCA from Y Thai. No RSVP required.

If you have any questions or concerns, or need any accommodations to fully participate, please reach out to events@educationjustice.net.

Reentry Simulation

Sat Oct 10 (please arrive by 9:45am)

10am - 12pm

Lazter Hall, University YMCA 

EJP and multiple co-sponsors are hosting a Reentry Simulation and Panel Discussion on campus!

This interactive learning experience explores the systems, policies, and institutions that shape the reentry process following incarceration. Through a guided simulation and facilitated discussion, participants will examine how multiple systems can intersect to create challenges during the first 90 days after release.

All welcome to participate in this free event. Registration required.

If you have any questions or concerns, or need any accommodations to fully participate, please reach out to events@educationjustice.net.

Alumni Discussion

Monday Oct 12

5 - 6 pm

Via Zoom

Our next alumni discussion is intended for individuals who work with or have interest in working with our college-in-prison program at Danville Correctional Center.

Alumni discussions provide sensitive and critical insight into the range of prison and reentry experiences. In a panel format, alumni respond to questions, so feel free to bring your queries about incarceration, EJP's program at DCC, and reentry.

Alumni Fellow Spankey Davis, above, will be part of the panel.

You can RSVP for the Oct 12 discussion and future ones via the RSVP link below.

Upcoming dates:

Monday Nov 30, 5 - 6pm

Tuesday Dec 8, 5 - 6pm

If you have any questions or concerns, or need any accommodations to fully participate, please reach out to events@educationjustice.net.

Stigma to Solutions

Thurs Oct 22

4-6pm

In person

For decades, mandatory registration laws have been a major source of confusion and stigma towards people who have been charged with sexually-based offenses. EJP continues to invite guest speakers as well as other impacted individuals to discuss this subject.

We are honored to feature Paul Rothschild at our Oct 22 event. Paul's presentation will draw on his lived experience with incarceration, supervision, registration, and permanent punishment, along with his work building directly impacted leadership and statewide policy campaigns through the End Permanent Punishments campaign, at ENDPP.ORG. 

We'll serve light supper (baked potato bar) at the event. All are welcome.

If you have any questions or concerns, or need any accommodations to fully participate, please reach out to events@educationjustice.net.

Author Talk: 911, What's Your Emergency?

Mon Oct 26

4:30-6pm

In person

The Education Justice Project is honored to host Rebecca Neusteter for a conversation about her new book 911, What’s Your Emergency?: The Promise and Peril of Crisis Response.

911 is largely promoted as a tool to save lives—yet too often, it puts people’s safety in jeopardy, especially in communities of color. 

Neusteter’s research is an urgent call to action that challenges us to transform America’s overburdened 911 system and make it safe, just, and equitable for all.

Indivduals planning to attend the event are welcome to pick up a free copy of the book in the EJP office

If you have any questions or concerns, or need any accommodations to fully participate, please reach out to events@educationjustice.net.

For more on our upcoming activities, please download this flyer, which provides information about upcoming author talks, abolition discussion, and more coming this fall!

Events of Interest

from across Campus

"The Librarians"

Oct 9, 5- 8:15pm

Spurlock Museum

Screening + discussion of the Emmy-winning film, with special guest Becky Calzada, a librarian featured in the film. "In Texas, the Kraus List targets 850 books focused on raise and LGBTQia+ stories--triggering sweeping book bans across the US."

Co-sponsored by the University Library, the iSchool, and others

Five Days of Change

Jan 11 - 15, 2027

in person

Registration open for the weeklong intensive training program for campus staff and faculty, intended to strengthen knowledge and skills related to created inclusive communities on campus. Meals included. Space limited.

Sponsored by Office of the Vice Chancellor fo Access

Coping with Communication Apprehension

Oct 1, 3:30 - 4:30

online

During this workshop, participants will learn how we experience fear in certain communication situations and how to manage communication anxiety in order to reduce or eliminate it.

Sponsored by the Speakers Workshop

Paid Positions with EJP

Some EJP positions can be held virtually, some are hybrid, and some (those based at Danville Prison) require that an individual be able to regularly visit the prison. Our preference is always to hire local individuals and we especially seek candidates who have personal experience of incarceration. Click on the links below to see complete job descriptions. Most positions based at the prison are part-time.