July 10, 2026
JFF, CEA, and the Alliance have formed a strategic partnership to continue and build upon the legacy of the past four cohorts of the Corrections Education-to-Employment Leadership Academy (CELA), previously led by the Vera Institute of Justice.
Jobs for the Future (JFF), the Correctional Education Association (CEA), and the Alliance for Higher Education in Prison (the Alliance) have formed a strategic partnership to continue and build upon the legacy of the past four cohorts of the Corrections Education-to-Employment Leadership Academy (CELA), previously led by the Vera Institute of Justice.
Now embedded as a Stakeholder Leadership Network within JFF’s Fair Chance to Advance (FC2A) Initiative, this next generation of the CELA cohort experience will focus on developing the capacities of education-in-corrections leaders to:
Under Vera’s leadership, this annual yearlong leadership academy supported current and future state corrections education leaders to learn best practices in the delivery of education in prison, expand their professional networks, and build the policy and program development skills necessary to create and drive accessible, high-quality postsecondary educational programs in prisons.
Thomas Arbaugh serves as deputy assistant director of education and programs for the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation, and Reentry, supporting statewide initiatives in education, counseling and treatment, faith services, and program development to advance rehabilitation and successful community reintegration. He also maintains a counseling practice in Gilbert, Arizona, providing strengths-based care to people, couples, and families. Thomas is a licensed associate counselor, board-certified chaplain, and ordained minister. He holds degrees in social work, spiritual care, and clinical counseling, and is pursuing a Doctor of Criminal Justice degree at Arizona State University. Driven by a commitment to recognizing potential in others, he seeks to foster growth and create environments where people and communities can flourish.
Jennifer Seil is an executive officer III with the Iowa Department of Corrections, bringing 14 years of dedicated correctional experience to her field. She holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Simpson College and a master’s degree in criminal justice with an emphasis in rehabilitation from the University of Cincinnati. In her current role as the statewide apprenticeship coordinator, Jennifer oversees 31 distinct apprenticeship programs across Iowa’s nine correctional institutions. She is passionate about developing impactful rehabilitative pathways that people with records of arrest, conviction, or incarceration with valuable, certified trade skills to support successful community reentry and long-term career success.
Amy Doty is the dean of Public Safety and Correctional Education at Southeast Community College, where she leads the UPWARD prison education program across four correctional facilities and SCC’s Criminal Justice Department. Amy brings lived experience to her role, having spent ten years in state and federal prisons, where she began her own college education. She is a Rockwood Fellow alum, an inaugural member of the Womxn’s Higher Education Prison Consortium, a Nebraska Postsecondary Education in Prison Consortium member, a member of the Reentry 2030 Nebraska Workforce Cohort, and a member of the Transform Nebraska Network. Her work advances fair chance education-to-employment opportunities for students and alumni with records of arrest, conviction, or incarceration.
Jennifer Falzerano serves as the higher and vocational education manager at Oregon Youth Authority. She assumed the position in October of 2023. Before this position, Jennifer had extensive experience in international, multicultural, ESL, veteran, and first-generation student support at community colleges and universities in France, Minnesota, and Oregon. She served as director of international programs and then dean of students at Lane Community College for 12 years. During her time at Lane CC, Jennifer became a trainer for Redshift Leadership’s Emotional Intelligence training program. Jennifer is passionate about building strong positive relationships, centering student voice, creating access and success for those traditionally left out of education, and data-informed decision-making. Jennifer holds a BA in French and political science from the University of Minnesota, Morris, with coursework from the Sorbonne University in Paris, and an M.Ed in international and multicultural education from the University of Minnesota, Duluth. She recently received the Governor’s Award for Public Service Ambassador for Excellence in Public Service from Governor Kotek. In her free time, Jennifer enjoys time with her family, friends, and pets, traveling, reading, and cooking.
Janece Levien is the education services administrator with Washington State Department of Corrections, leading the education services unit and working in partnership with education and nonprofit partners to provide adult basic education, pre-apprenticeships and vocational training, and postsecondary certificate and degree programs. A former Peace Corps volunteer with a master’s in educational leadership, she spent her early career working in nonprofit and philanthropy, leading education and community impact initiatives. Before joining WA DOC, she was the associate director of education in juvenile rehabilitation, where she started her career in corrections education. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and animals, hunting, fishing, hiking, traveling, and cooking.
Dan McGloin is the director of the University of Maine at Augusta Prison Education Partnership and author of “Epistemic Injustice and College in Prison: How Liberal Arts Education Strengthens Epistemic Agency” in the anthology Histories and Philosophies of Carceral Education. His current interests include neuro-inclusivity, work-based learning, and balancing digital and analog delivery of education in carceral spaces. He holds a BS in information systems from Pace University and an MA in philosophy from Tufts University.
Amanda Harsin serves as chancellor of Ivy Tech Community College’s Madison Campus and provides statewide leadership for Ivy Tech’s correctional education work. In this role, she supports her team serving learners across 15 Indiana Department of Correction facilities, with a focus on expanding access to high school equivalency, career and technical education, and future college pathways. Amanda works with campus, state, and community partners to strengthen student support, align education with workforce needs, and create opportunities for students returning to their communities. Her leadership is grounded in practical systems thinking and an appreciation for people.
Kelsey Osman serves as education director for the Louisiana Department of Corrections, overseeing educational programming across approximately 50 correctional facilities statewide. With more than 20 years of experience spanning elementary, secondary, adult, and correctional education, she is dedicated to expanding opportunities that transform lives through learning. Kelsey has held leadership roles in career and technical education, workforce development, and correctional education initiatives. She actively serves with numerous state and national organizations, including the Correctional Education Association, Coalition on Adult Basic Education, and NCCER Workforce Development Committee. Her work focuses on increasing access, achievement, and successful reentry through education.
Jonathan Pistotnik is the reentry program manager with the Alaska Department of Corrections. In his role, he oversees a team of staff who support the delivery of correctional education programming, vocational training, and reentry support across the state. He holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Minnesota and a master’s degree in public health from UCLA. He currently resides in Anchorage, Alaska, with his wife and two children.
Ashton Klekamp is director of policy and research at the University of Illinois’ Education Justice Project, a comprehensive college-in-prison program. Ashton is passionate about implementing community-driven policies that expand access to higher education for currently and formerly incarcerated people. She has authored reports, research publications, and legislative language to this end. Ashton’s current work focuses on the state of Illinois. She is an active member of the Freedom to Learn Campaign and the Illinois Coalition for Higher Education in Prison. Ashton has a BA in Neuropsychology and Holistic Healing from Pitzer College and a JD from Georgetown University Law Center.
Craig is the associate dean of students at Ingram State Technical College. His professional journey in education spans nearly two decades and reflects an intentional evolution toward mission-driven service. He began his career in postsecondary education around 2007–2008, building a strong foundation in Student Services and Support. In 2021, he transitioned into Correctional Education with the Federal Bureau of Prisons, where he gained a deeper understanding of education’s transformative impact. Since joining Ingram State Technical College in 2022, he has found his professional home, supporting students with records of arrest, conviction, or incarceration as they pursue education, workforce pathways, and successful reentry, while advancing a leadership approach grounded in access, opportunity, and lasting impact.
Angela serves as the director of reentry operations for the Kansas Department of Corrections and brings 29 years of dedicated service to the agency. Throughout her career, she has led efforts to strengthen reentry practices, improve operational consistency, and support successful outcomes for returning citizens. Her work centers on building effective systems and enhancing collaboration across agencies. She is thrilled to join the CELA 2026–2027 cohort and continue expanding her leadership impact.
Thank you to Ascendium Education Group and Mae Philanthropies for their generous support of CELA and for helping advance this important work.
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