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Faculty
Professors teach the same courses in prison that they teach on Wesleyan's main campus. Current and Past ProfessorsFall 2023
At York C.I.
- Sean McCann, Professor of English, Wesleyan University
At Cheshire C.I
- Beth Richards, Assosciate Professor of English, University of Hartford
- Kari Weil, University Professor of Environmental Studies, Wesleyan University
- Lauren Silber, Associate Professor of the Practice in Academic Writing, Wesleyan University
- Naho Maruta, Associate Professor of the Practice in East Asian Studies, Wesleyan University
- Nutan Mishra, Instructor of Sociology and Anthropology, CT State Community College
- Troy Schinkel, Instructor of Geolgical Sciences, CT State Community College
Summer 2023
At York C.I.
- Liz Fox, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Spring 2023
At Cheshire C.I
- Carla Coste Sanchez, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Wesleyan University
- Beth Richards, Assosciate Professor of English, University of Hartford
- Nikos Valance, Visiting Assistant Professor of Econimics, Wesleyan University
- Pamela Frost, Professor of Mathematics, Middlesex Community College
- Elizabeth Bobrick, Visiting Professor of Classical Studies, Wesleyan University
- Jeanine Buckley, Adjunct Writing Professor, Middlesex Community College
At York C.I.
- Iddrisu Saaka, Assistant Professor of Dance, Wesleyan University
- Christopher Hammond, Associate Professor, Connecticut College
- Richard Davis, Professor Emeritus and Research Professor of Religion, Bard College
Fall 2022
At Cheshire C.I
- Amy Tang, Associate Professor of English, Wesleyan University
- Pamela Frost, Professor of Mathematics, Middlesex Community College
- Cheryl Greenberg, Distinguished Professor of History, Trinity College
- Sean McCann, Professor of English, Wesleyan University
- Han Li, Associate Professor of Mathematics, Wesleyan University
Summer 2022
At Cheshire C.I.
- Serena Witzke, Visiting Assistant Professor of Classical Studies, Wesleyan University
Spring 2022
At Cheshire C.I
- Stephanie Weiner, Professor of English, Wesleyan University
- Kari Weil, University Professor of Environmental Studies, Wesleyan University
- Kegan Samuel, Professor of Mathemathics, Middlesex Community College
At York C.I.
- Beth Richards, Assosciate Professor of English, University of Hartford
- Lori Gruen, Professor of Philosophy, Wesleyan University
- Sarah Mahurin, Dean of Timothy Dwight College, Yale University
Fall 2021
At Cheshire C.I
- Pamela Frost, Professor of Mathematics, Middlesex Community College
- Christopher Hammond, Associate Professor of Mathematics, Connecticut College
- Elise Springer, Associate Professor of Philosophy
- Liz Fox, University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Andrew Curran, Professor of the Humanities, Wesleyan University
- Lori Gruen, Professor of Philosophy, Wesleyan University
At York C.I.
- Beth Richards, Assistant Professor, University of Hartford
- Lori Gruen, Professor of Philosophy, Wesleyan University
- Sarah Mahurin, Dean of Timothy Dwight College, Yale University
Summer 2021:
At York C.I.
- Serena Witzke, Visiting Assistant Professor of Classical Studies, Wesleyan University
Spring 2021:
At Cheshire C.I.
- Cheryl Greenberg, Distinguished Professor of History, Trinity College
- Matthew Garrett, Associate Professor of English, Wesleyan University
- Elizabeth Bobrick, Visiting Professor of Classical Studies, Wesleyan University
- Tushar Irani, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Welseyan University
At York C.I.
- Peter Gottschalk, Professor of Religion, Wesleyan University
- Laura Grabel, Lauren B. Dachs Professor of Science and Society, Director of Jazz Ensemble, Wesleyan University
- William Arsenio, Professor of Psychology and Director of Clinical Research Training, Yeshiva University
- Liz Fox, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Spring 2020:
At Cheshire C.I.
- Anthony Hatch, Associate Professor of Sociology, Wesleyan University
- Lori Gruen, Professor of Philosophy, Wesleyan University
- Courtney Weiss Smith, Associate Professor of English, Wesleyan University
- Ulrich Plass, Professor of German Studies, Wesleyan University
- Terence McNulty, Professor of English, Middlesex Community College
- Pamela Frost, Professor of Mathematics, Middlesex Community College
- Frank Stellabotte, Associate Professor of Biotechnology, Middlesex University
At York C.I.
- Peter Gottschalk, Professor of Religion, Wesleyan University
- Tad Lincoln, Professor, Economics and Political Science, Middlesex Community College
- Sarah Mahurin, Dean of Timothy Dwight College, Yale University
Fall 2019:
At Cheshire C.I.
- Kari Weil, University Professor of Environmental Studies, Wesleyan University
- Giulio Gallarotti, Professor of Government, Wesleyan University
- Stephanie Weiner, Professor of English, Wesleyan University
- Terence McNulty, Professor of English, Middlesex Community College
- Robert Reutenauer, Instructor of History, Middlesex Community College
- Pamela Frost, Professor of Mathematics, Middlesex Community College
- Sarah Mahurin, Dean of Timothy Dwight College, Yale University
At York C.I.
- Christopher Hammond, Associate Professor of Mathematics, Connecticut College
- William Arsenio, Professor of Psychology and Director of Clinical Research Training, Yeshiva University
- Liz Fox, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Summer 2019:
At Cheshire C.I.
- Sean McCann, Professor of English, Wesleyan University
- Christine Witkowski, Assistant Professor for Middlesex Community College
At York C.I.
- Elizabeth Bobrick, Visiting Professor of Classical Studies, Wesleyan University
Spring 2019:
At Cheshire C.I.
- Andy Szegedy-Maszak, Jane A. Seney Professor of Greek, Wesleyan University
- Matthew Garrett, Associate Professor of English, Wesleyan University
- John Shafer, Professor & Program Coordinator of Communication & Digital Media Production, Middlesex Community College
- Peter Rutland, Colin and Nancy Campbell Professor in Global Issues and Democratic Thought, Wesleyan University
- Pamela Frost, Professor of Mathematics, Middlesex Community College
At York C.I.
- Christopher Hammond, Associate Professor of Mathematics, Connecticut College
- Lori Gruen, William Griffin Professor of Philosophy, Wesleyan University
- Laura Grabel, Lauren B. Dachs Professor of Science and Society, Director of Jazz Ensemble, Wesleyan University
- Tad Lincoln, Professor, Economics and Political Science, Middlesex Community College
Fall 2018:
At Cheshire C.I.
- Eric Charry, Professor of Music, Wesleyan University
- Priscilla Meyer, Professor of Russian Language and Literature, Wesleyan University
- Tushar Irani, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Welseyan University
- Bob Reutenauer, Instructor of History, Middlesex Community College
- Pamela Frost, Professor of Mathematics, Middlesex Community College
At York C.I.
- Christopher Hammond, Associate Professor of Mathematics, Connecticut College
- Thornton Lockwood, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Quinnipiac University
- Noah Baerman, Director of Jazz Ensemble, Wesleyan University
- Beth Richards, Assistant Professor, University of Hartford
Spring 2018:
At Cheshire C.I.
- Kari Weil, University Professor of Environmental Studies, Wesleyan University
- Suzanne O'Connell, Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Wesleyan University
- Tony Hatch, Associate Professor of Sociology, Wesleyan University
- Eirene Visvardi, Associate Professor of Classical Studies, Wesleyan University
- Ellen Kramer, Instructor of Computer Information Technology, Middlesex Community College
At York C.I.
- Peter Gottschalk, Professor of Religion, Wesleyan University
- Justin Good, Instructor of Philosophy, Middlesex Community College
- Riana Cornelius, Instructor of English, Middlesex Community College
Fall 2017:
At Cheshire C.I.
- Cheryl Greenberg, Distinguished Professor of History, Trinity College
- Beth Richards, Assistant Professor, University of Hartford
- Elizabeth Bobrick, Visiting Scholar, Welseyan University
- Noah Baerman, Director of Jazz Ensemble, Wesleyan University
- Lori Gruen, Professor of Philosophy, Wesleyan University
At York C.I.
- Ann Killian, PhD Candidate in English, Yale University
- Sarah Mahurin, Dean of Timothy Dwight College, Yale University
- Guilio Gallarotti, Professor of Government, Welseyan University
Spring 2017:
At Cheshire C.I.
- Ulrich Plass, Professor of German Studies, Wesleyan University
- Matthew Garrett, Associate Professor of English, Wesleyan University
- Eric Charry, Professor of Music, Wesleyan University
- Cameron Bishop, Visiting Instructor in Mathematics, Wesleyan University
- John Shafer, Professor of Communication, Middlesex Community College
At York C.I.
- Laura Grabel, Professor of Biology, Wesleyan University
- Louis Sapia, Associate Professor of Computer Information Technology, Middlesex Community College
Fall 2016:
At Cheshire C.I.
- Gloster B. Aaron, Associate Professor of Biology, Wesleyan University
- Michael McAlear, Associate Professor of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Wesleyan University
- Guilio Gallarotti, Professor of Government, Welseyan University
- Melissa Katz, Luther Gregg Sullivan Fellow in Art History, Wesleyan University
- Cameron Bishop, Visiting Instructor in Mathematics, Wesleyan University
At York C.I.
- Peter Gottchalk, Professor of Religion, Wesleyan University
- Christopher Hammond, Associate Professor of Mathematics, Connecticut College
Spring 2016:
At Cheshire C.I.
- Lori Gruen, Professor of Philosophy, Wesleyan University
- Elizabeth Bobrick, Visiting Professor of Classical Studies, Wesleyan University
- Brenda Carter, Visiting Scholar of American Studies, Brown University
- Cheryl Greenberg, Professor of History, Trinity College
- Helen Mills Poulos, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies, Wesleyan University
- Cameron Bishop, Visiting Instructor in Mathematics, Wesleyan University
At York C.I.- Kim Cunningham, Professor of Sociology, Wesleyan University
- Christopher Hammond, Associate Professor of Mathematics, Connecticut College
Fall 2015:
At Cheshire C.I.
- Richard Adelstein, Professor of Economics, Wesleyan University
- Sarah Mahurin, Dean of Timothy Dwight College, Yale University
- Priscilla Meyer, Professor of Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies, Wesleyan University
- Suzanne O'Connell, Professor of Earth & Environmental Studies, Wesleyan University
- Cheryl Greenberg, Professor of History, Trinity College
At York C.I.
- Eric Galm, Associate Professor of Music, Trinity College
- Christopher Hammond, Associate Professor of Mathematics, Connecticut College
Spring 2015:
At Cheshire C.I.
- Helen Poulos, Postdoctoral Teaching Fellow of Enviornmental Studies, Wesleyan University
- Brenda Carter, Visiting Faculty, Brown University
- Caleb Smith, Professor of English and American Studies, Yale University
- Cameron Bishop, Visiting Instructor in Mathematics, Wesleyan University
At York C.I.
- Sean McCann, Professor of English, Wesleyan University
- Margot Weiss, Associate Professor of American Studies and Anthropology, Wesleyan University
Fall 2014:
At Cheshire C.I.
- Richard Miller, Professor of Economics, Wesleyan University
- Richard Adelstein, Professor of Economics, Wesleyan University
- Gilbert Skillman, Professor of Economics, Wesleyan University
- Melissa Katz, Luther Gregg Sullivan Fellow in Art History, Wesleyan University
- Lori Gruen, Professor of Philosophy, Wesleyan University
At York C.I.
- Francisco Robles, PhD Candidate in English, Princeton University
- Christopher Hammond, Associate Professor of Mathematics, Connecticut College
Spring 2014:
At Cheshire C.I.
- Constance Leidy, Associate Professor of Mathematics, Wesleyan University
- Lori Gruen, Professor of Philosophy, Wesleyan University
- Sarah Mahurin, Visiting Assistant Professor of English, Wesleyan University
- Helen Mills Poulos, Postdoctoral Teaching Fellow of Enviornmental Studies, Wesleyan University
- Craig Plunges, Graduate Visiting Fellow of English, Harvard University
At York C.I.
- Craig Wiernik, Visiting Assistant Professor of Sociology, Quinnipiac University
- Stewart Gillmor, Professor of History and Science, Emeritus, Wesleyan University
Fall 2013:
At Cheshire C.I.
- Ellen Rubinstein, Professor of Anthropology, Yale University
- Mariah Schug, Visiting Assistant Professor of Psychology
- Ronald Jenkins, Professor of Theater, Wesleyan University
- Abbey Bourdon, PhD Candidate in Mathematics, Wesleyan University
At York C.I.
- Guilio Gallarotti, Professor of Government, Welseyan University
- Michael McAlear, Associate Professor of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Wesleyan University
Spring 2013:
At Cheshire C.I.
- Peter Rutland, Professor of Government
- Sean McCann, Professor of English, Wesleyan University
- Jeremy Zwelling, Professor of Religion, Emeritus
- Abbey Bourdon, PhD Candidate in Mathematics, Wesleyan University
At York C.I.
- Beth Richards, Director of Rhetoric and Professional Writing, University of Hartford
- Elise Springer, Associate Professor of Philosophy
Fall 2012:
- Michael McAlear, Associate Professor of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Wesleyan University
- Deb Unferth, Associate Professor of English
- Gretchen Pfeil, PhD Candidate in Anthropolgy, University of Chicago
- Abbey Bourdon, PhD Candidate in Mathematics, Wesleyan University
Spring 2012:
- Lori Gruen, Professor of Philosophy, Wesleyan University
- Sean McCann, Professor of English, Wesleyan University
- Mariah Schug, Visiting Assistant Professor of Psychology
- Guilio Gallarotti, Professor of Government, Wesleyan University
Fall 2011:
- Priscilla Meyer, Professor of Russian Language and Literature
- Michael Keane, Professor of Mathematics
- Beth Richards, Director of Rhetoric and Professional Writing, University of Hartford
- Christopher Anderson, Professor of Political Science, University of Hartford
Spring 2011:
- Richard Buel, Professor of History, Emeritus
- Elizabeth Bobrick, Visiting Professor of Classical Studies, Wesleyan University
Fall 2010:
- Lori Gruen, Professor of Philosophy, Wesleyan University
- Jason Wolfe, Professor of Biology, Emeritus
Spring 2010:
- Michael McAlear, Associate Professor of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
- Melanye Price, Professor of Political Science, Rutgers University
Fall 2009:
- Beth Richards, Director of Rhetoric and Professional Writing, University of Hartford
- Charles Lemert, Professor of Sociology, Emeritus
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Staff
Current CPE Staff Tess Wheelwright, Director
Tess joins the Center for Prison Education as its first director in time for fall 2023, honored with the charge to build on the Center's history of expanding access to bold and rigorous liberal learning. Previously, Tess was deputy director of Freedom Reads, a New Haven-based organization launched in 2020 (by honorary Wesleyan Doctor of Letters Reginald Dwayne Betts) to open its signature Freedom Library in prison dorms and housing units across the country. Before that, Tess was associate director for the Cornell Prison Education Program, for which she also taught English and writing courses. Tess holds an MFA from Cornell University, an MSc from the University of Edinburgh, and a BA in Literature from Yale University.
Victoria Justice, Operations Coordinator
Victoria joined the Center for Prison Education as Program Coordinator in August 2020. She comes to CPE with experience in higher education administration, course instruction, and student support. Through various organizations, she has worked closely with incarcerated students, first generation students, and under- and undocumented students. Victoria most recently served as the Second Chance Pell Site Coordinator for Glenville State College in West Virginia. Victoria holds a B.A. and M.A. in Political Science from Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA.
Shirley Sullivan, Program Coordinator, Cheshire CI
Shirley joined CPE upon graduating from Wesleyan University in 2021, where she majored in Dance and Psychology with a minor in Education Studies. In the summer before her sophomore year, Shirley interned with CONTRA-TIEMPO, an activist dance theater company as part of her Dancelink Fellowship. At the end of her undergrad education, Shirley completed a capstone project where she worked with previously incarcerated individuals to create a dance performance in which their experiences were transformed into movement.
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Volunteers
Undergraduate volunteers are an integral part of our team. We engage Wesleyan main-campus students as Writing Tutors, Teaching Assistants, and Interns at both Cheshire and York CI.
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Faculty Advisory Committee
The Faculty Advisory Committee (FAC), which has both Wesleyan and Middlesex Community College faculty representation, oversees the curriculum for the CPE program and approves all courses taught in the program. FAC members also serve on the admissions committee for prospective CPE students.
- Kerwin Kaye (Chair of CPE FAC), Associate Professor of Sociology; Associate Professor of American Studies; Associate Professor of Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
- Joseph Coolon, Associate Professor of Biology, Associate Professor of Integrative Sciences
- Tushar Irani, Chair and Associate Professor of Letters, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Associate Professor of Education Studies
- Constance Leidy, Associate Professor of Mathematics
- Victoria Pitts-Taylor, Chair and Professor of Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies; Professor of Science in Society; Professor of Sociology
- Ulrich Plass, Chair and Professor of German Studies, Professor of Letters
- John Shafer, Professor and Program Coordinator for Communication and Digital Media Production, and Program Coordinator of Theater Studies
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Advisory Board
Our Advisory Board has the task of envisioning the future of the CPE, collectively engaging the complex and emerging issues of a small and ambitious initiative. It considers the scope and character of program growth and evaluates opportunities for collaboration with other programs, institutions and state agencies. Current Advisory Board
- Julian Adler (Co-Chair)
- Elizabeth Ling (Co-Chair)
- Mike Lawlor
- Andrew Szegedy-Maszak
- James Jeter
- Nicholas Dawidoff
- Lorenzo Jones
- Scott Semple