News

Tommy Moore has dedicated his career to building successful businesses and sharing those skills with others. When he relocated his family to Nebraska while his wife attended Bellevue University, he began working with RISE, a nonprofit that helps people in prison re-enter society.

Moore also works as an adjunct faculty for Southeast Community College, teaching entrepreneurship classes to incarcerated students in the UPWARD program, which brings college classes to students at five Nebraska Department of Correctional Services facilities.

“No one should be known for their worst mistake,” Moore said. “Change is possible, but purpose has to take precedent. A person without purpose seeks pleasure but a person who wakes up every day with purpose will be consumed via achieving that goal. In business, we call that flow.”

Second chances are something Moore knows a lot about. He spent nine years in prison in Florida, and had to ride a bike to class when he began his educational journey when he got out. He received his Ph.D. in 2020, and has been sharing his experience and teaching ever since.

“I have a distinct advantage because I’ve sat where they sit,” Moore said. “I’ve also come out and found success on the outside, and I found that success through entrepreneurship.”

NDCS recognized Moore as Educational Partner of the Year at the department’s Community Partner Appreciation Event in May. The award is determined by votes cast by both NDCS staff and incarcerated individuals.

“It is extremely important to me that the people I serve understand that their past does not have to define their future,” Moore said. “This recognition means a lot to me because it was voted on by the staff and residents in the facilities that I serve.”

Damon Bennett
Activities Information Director
402-437-2077
dbennett@southeast.edu