Hope College and Western Theological Seminary are partnering to offer The Hope-Western Prison Education Program, an initiative that provides a Christian liberal arts education to men incarcerated at Muskegon Correctional Facility.
The program seeks to renew minds and form new persons while transforming the prison, the college, the seminary and the West Michigan community into places where righteousness and peace embrace.
“The trumpet has sounded! The call to a college education beckons, offering me a ride out of the abyss. A Hope College education offers an opportunity to regenerate my soul, edify my spirit, and bolster my ability to be of service to others.” —Student, 2019
The Hope-Western Prison Education Program engages its students at the Muskegon Correctional Facility in an academically challenging curriculum while also focusing on moral rehabilitation and spiritual formation. Students enroll in coursework to earn a bachelor’s degree with standards as rigorous as those expected of Holland-based Hope College students.
We Need Financial Support
“Most of my life has been a journey in the hope of finding something greater than myself. Getting a college education would provide me with the tools necessary to truly complete my journey… to be a better man… to be a bigger person than I once was… to contribute to the world around me in a more positive way… to be what God intended me to be: His true and faithful servant.” —Student, 2019
Recent Blog Posts
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HWPEP Welcomes Three New Members to the Circle of Advisors
Posted by Richard RayThe Hope-Western Prison Education Program is pleased to welcome three new members to its Circle o...
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How Does Teaching in Prison Help Main Campus Students?
Posted by Richard RayThe principal object of concern for the Hope-Western Prison Education Program is the educational ...
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Advent in Prison?
Posted by Richard RayComfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, a...
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Mathematics Can Help Incarcerated Students Flourish Too
Posted by Richard Ray“Open your math textbook to page 25 and try solving problem #3.” That’s how I e...
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A Grateful Student Speaks
Posted by Richard RayThe Hope-Western Prison Education Program relies on the generosity and goodwill of hundreds of pe...
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Small vs Big
Posted by Richard RayThe Hope-Western Prison Education Program has made terrific strides since launching the degree-gr...
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Support the program
For more information about how you can support The Hope-Western Prison Education Program, contact:
Dr. Richard Ray
ray@hope.edu
Dr. David Stubbs
david@westernsem.edu
Hope by the Numbers
- 1,150Credit Hours Completed
Hope-Western Prison Education Program students have completed a total of 1,150 credit hours since the program’s inception.
- 3.77Composite GPA
As of fall 2023, the grade point average of all enrolled HWPEP students was 3.77.
- 64%Dean’s List
64% of HWPEP students were on the Dean’s List for the spring 2023 semester. The Dean’s List is awarded to full-time, degree-seeking students who have a semester GPA of 3.50 or above.
- 98%Persistence Rate
As of fall 2023, 98% of students who were admitted to the program are still enrolled.