Middlesex College Receives Dodge Foundation Award to Grow Justice Scholars Program

“We are thrilled to be able to use these funds to continue supporting justice-impacted students and by offering empowering learning opportunities,” said Alexandra Fields, Academic Director for the Center for Justice-Impacted Students and Middlesex College English professor.

“We want students to imagine new ways of being that builds on their strengths and helps them develop the skills to engage successfully within the larger world.”

The College already fosters a welcoming environment for justice-impacted students both on-campus and within carceral spaces by providing multiple resources. On campus, justice-impacted students can join the Justice Scholars Program, which provides academic support and holistic programming for justice-impacted students.

“I am thrilled that the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation is recognizing the innovative and transformative work of Middlesex College’s Center for Justice-Impacted Students,” said Middlesex College Vice President for Academic Affairs Linda Scherr. “The funding will enable the Center to provide access to college experiences and build a strong foundation for success for the participants’ academic journeys.”

Through a partnership with the Middlesex County Juvenile Detention Center (JDC), CJIS has developed humanities-based programming and access to college-credit bearing courses. The College also has a Juvenile Justice Reform Club that works in partnership with the JDC to offer programming to JDC residents. And across the state, CJIS also runs an associate degree pathway program for students residing within Juvenile Justice Commission facilities as well as re-entry support services.

Justice-impacted students are those who were formerly incarcerated, individuals who were arrested, charged, and/or have direct involvement with the criminal justice system. Additionally, students who have direct family members within carceral spaces, like close relatives or parents, all fall under the umbrella of justice scholars.

The Morristown-based Dodge Foundation is one of the largest private foundations in New Jersey, focused on philanthropic funding for organizations working on addressing root causes of racial injustice and inequity in the state.

“This is going to help fund students having access to more programming that supports both their personal and academic growth and development,” said Fields.

For more information about programs for justice-impacted students, visit the Center for Justice-Impacted Students.