Tennessee Higher Education Initiative

Tennessee Higher Education Initiative THEI provides access to high-quality, degree-bearing college education inside TN prisons. To this end, THEI partners with the Tenn.

Tennessee Higher Education Initiative (THEI) funds and coordinates on-site degree-bearing college programs in prisons in Tennessee. Department of Correction and local colleges like Nashville State Community College and Dyersburg State Community College to offer the opportunity for incarcerated individuals at two prisons -- Turney Center Industrial Complex in Middle Tennessee and Northwest Correcti

onal Complex in West Tennessee -- to earn General Ed. Certificates and AS degrees in Business Administration and/or Political Science. Further, THEI encourages and helps formerly incarcerated students continue their academic pursuits upon release should a student be released prior to degree completion. Credits earned behind bars are recognized by and transferable to any Tennessee Board of Regents college or university, as well as SACS accredited private and public colleges and universities outside of Tennessee. The academic program is rigorous and integrates technology with a liberal arts curriculum. There are currently 115 students enrolled in college through THEI.

Brandon Brown earned his bachelor's, his master's, and is now pursuing his Ph.D. Every one of those degrees began while ...
09/04/2026

Brandon Brown earned his bachelor's, his master's, and is now pursuing his Ph.D. Every one of those degrees began while he was incarcerated. In 2020, he made history as the first person in Maine to earn a graduate degree while incarcerated.

Now, as THEI's Technical Assistance Consultant, Brandon brings that experience directly into the field, helping colleges and corrections partners build stronger, student-centered higher education in prison programs.

"Higher education gave me something that prison could not: the opportunity to imagine a different future." He believes access to real, rigorous postsecondary education is one of the most powerful tools for individual transformation and community change.

We're so honored to have Brandon on Team THEI. đź’™

Education doesn't erase where someone has been. It expands where they can go. That's what we believe when it comes to hi...
09/03/2026

Education doesn't erase where someone has been.

It expands where they can go. That's what we believe when it comes to higher education in prison. And, it's the case THEI makes every day in classrooms inside Tennessee prisons and in the years of support that follow release. A degree is proof of what's possible when access isn't conditional.

Do you believe in that? Support our work: thei.org/donate

Big news 🎉THEI is stepping into new territory. We'll be leading the first cohort inside a Federal Correctional Instituti...
09/02/2026

Big news 🎉

THEI is stepping into new territory. We'll be leading the first cohort inside a Federal Correctional Institution, in partnership with Southwest Tennessee Community College, while also expanding mentorship to Federal Reentrants statewide.

Higher education in prison doesn't stop at the state line, and neither do we.

Support the next chapter of our work: thei.org/donate.

THEI's mission doesn't end at commencement, and neither does our community. Through our Student Voice portfolio, includi...
09/01/2026

THEI's mission doesn't end at commencement, and neither does our community.

Through our Student Voice portfolio, including the Alumni Speakers Bureau and Quarterly Alumni Events, alumni who earned degrees inside Tennessee's correctional facilities stay connected to THEI and to each other well after graduation. This recent staff and alumni outing is just one example.

Support our work work at thei.org.

Every gift matters at THEI. Your donation directly supports our students and programs—providing essential school supplie...
08/31/2026

Every gift matters at THEI. Your donation directly supports our students and programs—providing essential school supplies, funding college prep workshops and graduation ceremonies that showcase student success. It also fuels critical reentry resources and helps sustain and grow THEI’s Housing Network.

Consider making a donation today: https://thei.org/donate/

At the heart of our work at THEI is knowing that education is transformative and liberative for all people… well-resourc...
08/31/2026

At the heart of our work at THEI is knowing that education is transformative and liberative for all people… well-resourced people and under-resourced people, people of all colors, people of all political persuasions, and people of all geographic locations, including people whose temporary geographic location includes prison.

As we continue to spread the message that educating all people improves not only the condition and thinking of the educated individual but also all the people and community connected to that person, we are intentionally inviting communities of faith to join us in this liberation work.

THEI has officially launched the Circle of Faith Initiative, inviting communities of faith to commit to supporting our work. I am proud to announce that Dr. George T. Brooks, Jr., of Saint James Missionary Baptist Church, committed to making the $1000 donation that will change the lives of the men and women we have the privilege of serving. Thank you, Dr. Brooks and St. James Missionary Baptist Church, for your support of THEI.

Learn more about our work: thei.org

Meet Jeremy, a proud Tennessee Higher Education Initiative (THEI) alumnus whose journey reflects excellence, leadership,...
08/28/2026

Meet Jeremy, a proud Tennessee Higher Education Initiative (THEI) alumnus whose journey reflects excellence, leadership, and a deep commitment to building community. A graduate of Nashville State Community College (A.S. in Business Administration) and Austin Peay State University (B.S. in Finance), Jeremy continues to expand his educational path as he pursues admission to Lipscomb University for his Master’s degree.

As co-owner of Double R Strategies and Consulting, Jeremy is actively creating pathways for others while developing solutions, fostering growth, and helping individuals navigate opportunities that lead to long-term success. His work is rooted in service, using both education and lived experience to strengthen the communities he’s a part of.

Jeremy is a true go-getter who leads with intention and purpose. He consistently shows up for others, working to reshape what’s possible for justice-impacted individuals and building a community grounded in access, empowerment, and forward movement.

Jeremy is an integral part of Team THEI. đź’™

We're proud to share that Dr. Laura Ferguson-Mimms, President & CEO of THEI, has been named a 2026 finalist for CEO of t...
08/28/2026

We're proud to share that Dr. Laura Ferguson-Mimms, President & CEO of THEI, has been named a 2026 finalist for CEO of the Year by the Center for Nonprofit Excellence of Middle Tennessee.

Under her leadership, THEI continues to bring accredited college degree programs into Tennessee prisons.

Congratulations, Dr. Laura! đź’™

Inside Tennessee prisons, our students are able to work toward a real degree, because we believe education belongs every...
08/27/2026

Inside Tennessee prisons, our students are able to work toward a real degree, because we believe education belongs everywhere.

We're honored that THEI has been named a 2026 finalist for the Social Justice Changemaker Award at the Center for Nonprofit Excellence of Middle Tennessee Salute to Excellence Awards, presented in partnership with the University of Tennessee, Knoxville College of Social Work.

Thank you for recognizing what higher education in prison makes possible. This work continues because of people who believe in it.

Education changes what’s possible. At THEI, we work alongside people impacted by the justice system to expand access to ...
08/27/2026

Education changes what’s possible. At THEI, we work alongside people impacted by the justice system to expand access to college pathways, strengthen reentry support, and build communities where everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.

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1006 Shelby Avenue
Nashville, TN
37206

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