News

Malisa Kringle is a champion of second chances. To her, the partnership between the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services and Southeast Community College is giving incarcerated individuals the power to unlock the ultimate second chance before they re-enter society. She considers this the most meaningful work she has ever done.

“Although I have a passion for rehabilitative work in general, there is a special place in my heart for postsecondary education,” said Kringle, NDCS assistant director of programs. “I am thankful to work alongside visionaries who believe in an individual’s ability to grow, learn, and become a better version of themself.”

This kind of work wasn’t always possible. For almost three decades, incarcerated students were locked out of federal Pell Grant funding, a consequence of the 1994 Crime Bill. When the federal government restored that eligibility in 2023, everything changed.

“It was the catalyst for the work we are doing today,” Kringle explained. “It removed a major financial barrier and allowed partners like SCC to sustainably offer accredited college programs inside our facilities. This policy created an opportunity for us to move from limited educational offering to intentional, fully developed degree pathways.”

The results have been impressive. In the Fall 2025 semester, 92 students within NDCS facilities were named to the SCC Dean’s List. For Kringle, those names represent something far bigger than academic achievement.

“When individuals are given access to high-quality education and the support to succeed, they rise to the occasion,” she said. “It challenges stereotypes and demonstrates that talent and drive are not defined by past mistakes. The outcomes we’re seeing are a strong indicator of the long-term impact this program can have.”

SCC faculty have echoed that sentiment, often speaking about the caliber and commitment of the students they teach inside NDCS facilities. It’s a reminder that the partnership isn’t just administrative, it’s relational. Instructors, students, and a system investing in what comes next.

“These outcomes directly support our goal of reducing recidivism and strengthening communities across Nebraska,” she said. “Programs like this reflect the understanding that it truly takes a village – corrections, educational partners, and the broader community – to create sustainable, long-term change.”

Overall, the goal of rehabilitation and postsecondary education isn’t to get someone through a sentence. It’s about sending them home with the tools, confidence, and credentials to succeed.

“This work is about hope and opportunity,” Kringle explained. “Programs like this not only change individual lives, but it creates a ripple effect that benefits families and communities across Nebraska. I’m proud to be part of a system that is committed to growth, innovation, and second chances.”

Jennifer Snyder
Communications Specialist
402-323-3393
jsnyder@southeast.edu