A Message from President Aceves

Dear Colleagues, 

In our pursuit of knowledge and justice, we find inspiration in the dedicated efforts of trailblazers such as Dr. Jeanine Coleman, Ph.D., Director of the GLOBAL Inclusive Program, Rev. Tom Curran, S.J., and Dr. Bryan Hall, Ph.D., Vice Provost of Strategic Programs, who oversee the Inside/Out prison education initiative and the Jesuit Prison Education Network (JPEN).

I asked each of them to reflect on their programs and their journeys. Here is what they shared.

GLOBAL Inclusive Program (Dr. Jeanine Coleman)

Reflecting on the journey of the first graduating class of the GLOBAL Inclusive Program at Regis University fills me with a sense of pride and awe. As one of the first Jesuit Inclusive Higher Education programs designed for individuals with intellectual disabilities, we have had the privilege of witnessing our students’ growth, challenges, and triumphs. I am struck by the profound impact this groundbreaking group has had on our institution in changing the hearts and minds about inclusion and the capabilities of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  

From the beginning of the program, there was a palpable sense of excitement mixed with apprehension. How will these students become a part of the Regis community? The answer is in our Jesuit values—cura personalis. Valuing the whole person was already part of the culture at Regis, that is what made it a perfect home for the GLOBAL Inclusive Program.  However, this was a bold departure from traditional undergraduate educational practices. It required a fundamental shift in mindset—one that recognized the value of the whole person and the potential of every individual.  

Throughout their time at Regis, the GLOBAL Inclusive Students became our students, not just the program’s students, and became invaluable members of the Regis community. They approached their studies with enthusiasm and determination. They approached campus life with eagerness and curiosity and learned (and continue to learn) social, emotional, and independent living skills. I asked Jen Anderman what she learned during her time at Regis, and she responded, “I learned all about living alone, we rewrote the constitution together, I learned a lot about God, I learned all about the brain and how it works.” Jen and her fellow students taught us about perseverance, relentless positivity, and the powerful drive toward self-determination. 

Their presence on campus has served as a powerful reminder of the importance of inclusive higher education. By breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for students of all abilities to learn and grow, Regis is a model for other Jesuit institutions of higher education. The first graduating class of the program has left an indelible mark on the university, paving the way for future students with intellectual disabilities in which access to higher education has been historically denied. 

Their journey was not without its challenges. The inaugural class of the GLOBAL Inclusive Program confronted barriers and biases, both systemic and individual, that threatened to undermine their progress. The inclusion of individuals with intellectual disabilities in higher education is a new movement across Colorado and the nation. It requires continued advocacy, support, and collaboration to ensure that all those who desire to go to college have access to higher education.  

The impact of the GLOBAL Inclusive Program extends far beyond our campus and into the community through service and internships. Our students have become ambassadors for inclusion and the lived values of a Jesuit education. As they go into the community, our students bring with them the skills and knowledge they learned through courses, social events, and community living in the dorms.  

In the years to come, I have no doubt that the legacy of the first graduating class of the GLOBAL Inclusive Program will serve as an example of hope and inspiration for others who have intellectual disabilities and desire more for their lives. Their journey reminds us that diversity is not a barrier to be overcome but a strength to be celebrated and that by embracing inclusivity, we can create a brighter, more inclusive world for all.

Inside/Out (Dr. Bryan Hall, Ph.D.)

Regis’ prison education program builds “a more just and humane world through transformative education at the frontiers of faith, reason and culture.” It is a faith that does justice through the transformation of those it serves. This finds its most articulate expression in the students’ own words:

“I found community with like-minded individuals and support from people who understood that I could be more than a prisoner. I didn’t know who I was until I was 29 years old, and now I have direction, purpose, and I am confident that I can succeed in society, complete my education and be an inspiration for those who have struggled in the same ways as me. At the risk of sounding cliché I will say: Regis saved me, and it made me who I am today.”

“Even though we are [in prison], our lives continue. You have to make a choice – what life do you want to lead? Our lives in here matter. What we do in here matters. I’ve seen that in the community based on how we are in here and what we do – I think I still have a huge responsibility to the community, to the people I’ve harmed specifically, to conduct myself in here in a way that contributes to the community in a positive way.”

JEPN (Rev. Tom Curran, S.J.)

Regis University is one of the nine Jesuit colleges/universities in the Jesuit Prison Education Network (JPEN). The others include: Georgetown; Marquette; Loyola University New Orleans; St. Louis University; John Carroll; Rockhurst; St. John’s College (Belize City) and Scranton. All of these institutions provide college credit classes; several provide college degrees to the incarcerated as well as to correctional facility staff members.

Members of the Regis team will join their companions from these institutions, at Loyola University Chicago (LUC), this summer, for the AJCU 2024 conference on Faith, Justice, and Reconciliation. Prison education in Jesuit schools will be one of the six topics considered during the conference. In preparation for it, JPEN is publishing a book of essays titled, The Case for Prison Education. For an electronic copy of the book, email: jpen@regis.edu

I extend deep gratitude to Dr. Coleman, Dr. Hall, and Rev. Curran for embodying the Jesuit spirit in their service. Let us not only applaud the academic achievements, but also recognize the profound significance and enduring impact these programs have on our students. Through the lens of our Jesuit values and the commitment to transformative education, we embrace a future where inclusivity, justice, and the pursuit of excellence prevail, leaving an indelible mark on the lives of those too often overlooked.

Kindly,

Salvador D. Aceves, Ed.D

President