Our Leaders
The People below are helping guide our organization toward a collective community that promotes the education and empowerment of formerly incarcerated people
Terrell A. Blount is a dynamic motivational speaker, compassionate mentor, and visionary leader for individuals impacted by the legal system. As the co-founder and Executive Director of the Formerly Incarcerated College Graduates Network (FICGN), he helps system-impacted people attain higher education and achieve career success through support services, community organizing and advocacy.
Terrell brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his work, not only as a leader of the world’s largest network of formerly incarcerated professionals but also as a directly impacted person who has participated in postsecondary education both while incarcerated and in reentry. His extensive background in policy change and advocacy, program administration, philanthropy, technical assistance, and college reentry programs positions him as a well-rounded expert in the field.
Terrell earned a Bachelor of the Arts in Communication and a Master in Public Administration, both from Rutgers University.
Terrell A. Blount is a dynamic motivational speaker, compassionate mentor, and visionary leader for individuals impacted by the legal system. As the co-founder and Executive Director of the Formerly Incarcerated College Graduates Network (FICGN), he helps system-impacted people attain higher education and achieve career success through support services, community organizing and advocacy.
Terrell brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his work, not only as a leader of the world’s largest network of formerly incarcerated professionals but also as a directly impacted person who has participated in postsecondary education both while incarcerated and in reentry. His extensive background in policy change and advocacy, program administration, philanthropy, technical assistance, and college reentry programs positions him as a well-rounded expert in the field.
Terrell earned a Bachelor of the Arts in Communication and a Master in Public Administration, both from Rutgers University.
Vincent is a graduate student at the University of San Francisco, working on a Master’s degree in Organization & Leadership in the Department of Leadership Studies, within the School of Education. His goal is to become an educator, scholar and practitioner for programs that support formerly incarcerated college students and inform policies that impact formerly incarcerated students. He currently works for a program called Restoring Our Communities that supports formerly incarcerated students at Laney College. His Master’s Thesis was on creating a framework for the creation, implementation, operation and evaluation of what he terms “Campus Reentry Support” programs for formerly incarcerated students. He graduated from UC Berkeley in 2016 with BA in Sociology; graduated from Merritt College with 5 AA degrees and was once a certified union sound and communications data installer.
Vincent is a graduate student at the University of San Francisco, working on a Master’s degree in Organization & Leadership in the Department of Leadership Studies, within the School of Education. His goal is to become an educator, scholar and practitioner for programs that support formerly incarcerated college students and inform policies that impact formerly incarcerated students. He currently works for a program called Restoring Our Communities that supports formerly incarcerated students at Laney College. His Master’s Thesis was on creating a framework for the creation, implementation, operation and evaluation of what he terms “Campus Reentry Support” programs for formerly incarcerated students. He graduated from UC Berkeley in 2016 with BA in Sociology; graduated from Merritt College with 5 AA degrees and was once a certified union sound and communications data installer.
Known as “The Face of Dignity For Incarcerated Women”, Pamela Winn is an activist from Atlanta, GA who studied Biology at Spelman College, obtained three post-secondary degrees in Nursing, and worked more than 10 years as a Registered Nurse specializing in Women’s Health prior to serving a 78-month federal sentence for a white-collar crime while pregnant.
Winn is a co-founder of the Formerly Incarcerated Graduates Network and the GA Chapter of Higher Education in Prison which both promote higher education of convicted people. Pamela Winn is the founder of RestoreHER US.America, a policy advocacy organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of justice-impacted women.
Recognized by Forbes 50 over 50 Impact List, Winn is a national leader in policy passing the Dignity Bill in 21 states. Winn is a 2019 Soros Justice Fellow, has been invited to the White House, and has received numerous fellowships, accolades, and awards.
Known as “The Face of Dignity For Incarcerated Women”, Pamela Winn is an activist from Atlanta, GA who studied Biology at Spelman College, obtained three post-secondary degrees in Nursing, and worked more than 10 years as a Registered Nurse specializing in Women’s Health prior to serving a 78-month federal sentence for a white-collar crime while pregnant.
Winn is a co-founder of the Formerly Incarcerated Graduates Network and the GA Chapter of Higher Education in Prison which both promote higher education of convicted people. Pamela Winn is the founder of RestoreHER US.America, a policy advocacy organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of justice-impacted women.
Recognized by Forbes 50 over 50 Impact List, Winn is a national leader in policy passing the Dignity Bill in 21 states. Winn is a 2019 Soros Justice Fellow, has been invited to the White House, and has received numerous fellowships, accolades, and awards.
Dr. Stanley Andrisse is a formerly incarcerated person who is now an endocrinologist scientist at Johns Hopkins Medicine. Amongst many other things, he is a co-founder and Executive Director of From Prison Cells to PhD as well as a Board member for the Advocates for Goucher Prison Education Partnership (GPEP).
Dr. Stanley Andrisse is a formerly incarcerated person who is now an endocrinologist scientist at Johns Hopkins Medicine. Amongst many other things, he is a co-founder and Executive Director of From Prison Cells to PhD as well as a Board member for the Advocates for Goucher Prison Education Partnership (GPEP).
A former nonprofit executive director and Director of Community Development for the City of Cleveland, Cosgrove joins FICGN with more than 15 years of experience working in and with public and nonprofit organizations. Cosgrove is currently the Principal Consultant for Strategic Connections and holds a master’s degree in Public Administration, with a concentration in City Management from the Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University. In addition to his work with Strategic Connections, Cosgrove advocates for second-chance hiring and holds the Getting Talent Back to Work Certification from the Society for Human Resource Management.
A former nonprofit executive director and Director of Community Development for the City of Cleveland, Cosgrove joins FICGN with more than 15 years of experience working in and with public and nonprofit organizations. Cosgrove is currently the Principal Consultant for Strategic Connections and holds a master’s degree in Public Administration, with a concentration in City Management from the Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University. In addition to his work with Strategic Connections, Cosgrove advocates for second-chance hiring and holds the Getting Talent Back to Work Certification from the Society for Human Resource Management.
Ana holds dual degrees in Chicana/o Studies and Sociology from California State University Channel Islands and is currently pursuing her M.A. in Diverse Communities Development and Leadership at California State University Northridge. In her current role as a Development Manager for the UFW Foundation, she is responsible for overseeing grant cycle processes, compliance and reporting, and prospecting funding opportunities. As a person directly impacted by incarceration, Castro is determined to effect change through creating equitable opportunities for formerly incarcerated students and professionals. She joins FICGN with extensive experience working on social issues such as food insecurity, housing, mental health, immigration, community services, and advocacy.
Ana holds dual degrees in Chicana/o Studies and Sociology from California State University Channel Islands and is currently pursuing her M.A. in Diverse Communities Development and Leadership at California State University Northridge. In her current role as a Development Manager for the UFW Foundation, she is responsible for overseeing grant cycle processes, compliance and reporting, and prospecting funding opportunities. As a person directly impacted by incarceration, Castro is determined to effect change through creating equitable opportunities for formerly incarcerated students and professionals. She joins FICGN with extensive experience working on social issues such as food insecurity, housing, mental health, immigration, community services, and advocacy.
Shon is a graduate of East Tennessee State University with a B.S. in Human Development and Learning, an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis, and an Education Specialist degree Ed.S in Counselor Leadership. Shon served as an Academic Counselor for Medical Professions Students at ETSU before progressing into the role of Director of Transitional Programs at the Tennessee Higher Education Initiative. In his current role, he supports a statewide team providing individualized transitional services to ensure students achieve social, economic, and spiritual well-being during their reentry process.
Shon is a graduate of East Tennessee State University with a B.S. in Human Development and Learning, an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis, and an Education Specialist degree Ed.S in Counselor Leadership. Shon served as an Academic Counselor for Medical Professions Students at ETSU before progressing into the role of Director of Transitional Programs at the Tennessee Higher Education Initiative. In his current role, he supports a statewide team providing individualized transitional services to ensure students achieve social, economic, and spiritual well-being during their reentry process.
Graduating from California State University, Long Beach in 2021, Dr. Lendrum is recognized as
an equity-based educator, TEDx/motivational speaker, and servant leader. After years of experiencing several years of incarceration and battling addiction, Dr. Lendrum turned his life around through the transformative power of higher education. Compelled to foster the same experience for others, he currently serves as an adjunct professor of Communication Studies at Long Beach City College and East Los Angeles College where he has the pleasure of teaching a cohort of formerly incarcerated students in partnership with Homeboy Industries and ELAC’s Education Justice Rising Scholars.
Dr. Lendrum’s current role as an adjunct professor has brought him closer to his dream of teaching college level courses within California’s prison system with the goal of bringing hope to individuals that may not see themselves capable of operating with a new purpose.
Graduating from California State University, Long Beach in 2021, Dr. Lendrum is recognized as
an equity-based educator, TEDx/motivational speaker, and servant leader. After years of experiencing several years of incarceration and battling addiction, Dr. Lendrum turned his life around through the transformative power of higher education. Compelled to foster the same experience for others, he currently serves as an adjunct professor of Communication Studies at Long Beach City College and East Los Angeles College where he has the pleasure of teaching a cohort of formerly incarcerated students in partnership with Homeboy Industries and ELAC’s Education Justice Rising Scholars.
Dr. Lendrum’s current role as an adjunct professor has brought him closer to his dream of teaching college level courses within California’s prison system with the goal of bringing hope to individuals that may not see themselves capable of operating with a new purpose.
As a person directly impacted by incarceration, Sheehan aspired to help other people experiencing incarceration with their reentry process. She went on to pursue a B.A. in Law and Justice with a minor in Political Science and currently serves as a Program Operations Manager for the Freedom Education Project Puget Sound (FEPPS), an accredited college program creating pathways to higher education upon release for incarcerated women, trans-identified, and gender nonconforming people in Washington. With her eyes set on the future, Sheehan is in the process of planning a Reentry Fair set to take place Fall 2023. The fair will provide assistance to individuals scheduled to be released from incarceration in the near future.
As a person directly impacted by incarceration, Sheehan aspired to help other people experiencing incarceration with their reentry process. She went on to pursue a B.A. in Law and Justice with a minor in Political Science and currently serves as a Program Operations Manager for the Freedom Education Project Puget Sound (FEPPS), an accredited college program creating pathways to higher education upon release for incarcerated women, trans-identified, and gender nonconforming people in Washington. With her eyes set on the future, Sheehan is in the process of planning a Reentry Fair set to take place Fall 2023. The fair will provide assistance to individuals scheduled to be released from incarceration in the near future.
Ben currently works for Project Aim at Southern New Hampshire University, an initiative dedicated to helping incarcerated individuals obtain opportunities in higher education. He is also pursuing a master’s in English Literature and a MFA in Creative Writing at SNHU. Wright joins FICGN with 10 years of experience in the K-12 education sector, a B.A. in English, and an M.Ed in Special Education. He is excited to bring his unique perspective to FICGN as a deaf individual who has also been impacted by incarceration. Wright desires to merge his passion for literature into his work with justice-impacted individuals.
Ben currently works for Project Aim at Southern New Hampshire University, an initiative dedicated to helping incarcerated individuals obtain opportunities in higher education. He is also pursuing a master’s in English Literature and a MFA in Creative Writing at SNHU. Wright joins FICGN with 10 years of experience in the K-12 education sector, a B.A. in English, and an M.Ed in Special Education. He is excited to bring his unique perspective to FICGN as a deaf individual who has also been impacted by incarceration. Wright desires to merge his passion for literature into his work with justice-impacted individuals.
Staff
Derek Boyd is a recent formerly incarcerated graduate of Michael G. Foster School of Business at University of Washington, Seattle (BABA, 2021). In 2013, while still incarcerated, Derek co-founded Huskies for Opportunities in Prison Education, a UW Registered Student Organization—supporting incarcerated students in their academic pursuits and mobilizing the student body to engage on issues of mass incarceration. He remains actively involved with HOPE as a non-student member and alum.
As a former board member of Underground Ministries, Derek worked to expand reentry options for returning citizens. He stepped down from the board in December 2021 to take a staff position as the One Parish Prisoner program coordinator—fostering relationships of embrace and trust between the incarcerated and parishes in the communities to which they return.
Derek aspires to enter public accounting and is currently studying to sit for the CPA exam later this year. His interest lies in serving nonprofits, disadvantaged business entities, and formerly incarcerated entrepreneurs.
Derek Boyd is a recent formerly incarcerated graduate of Michael G. Foster School of Business at University of Washington, Seattle (BABA, 2021). In 2013, while still incarcerated, Derek co-founded Huskies for Opportunities in Prison Education, a UW Registered Student Organization—supporting incarcerated students in their academic pursuits and mobilizing the student body to engage on issues of mass incarceration. He remains actively involved with HOPE as a non-student member and alum.
As a former board member of Underground Ministries, Derek worked to expand reentry options for returning citizens. He stepped down from the board in December 2021 to take a staff position as the One Parish Prisoner program coordinator—fostering relationships of embrace and trust between the incarcerated and parishes in the communities to which they return.
Derek aspires to enter public accounting and is currently studying to sit for the CPA exam later this year. His interest lies in serving nonprofits, disadvantaged business entities, and formerly incarcerated entrepreneurs.
Haja Kamara is a dedicated advocate for equal access to higher education and prison education reform, focusing on creating opportunities for incarcerated learners. With over eight years of experience developing and implementing prison education programs at Rutgers University and a Bachelor’s degree in social work, she deeply understands the unique challenges incarcerated students face. Haja’s passion for guiding students through their academic journey began when she served as a mentor to youth in the Upward Bound program at Rutgers University. She quickly realized that supporting and guiding disadvantaged students was essential to their college success. Haja is now the Programs Director at FICGN, overseeing student support services for students impacted by the criminal justice system. Her expertise in higher education policy and extensive experience working with incarcerated learners make her a valuable member of the FICGN community.
Haja Kamara is a dedicated advocate for equal access to higher education and prison education reform, focusing on creating opportunities for incarcerated learners. With over eight years of experience developing and implementing prison education programs at Rutgers University and a Bachelor’s degree in social work, she deeply understands the unique challenges incarcerated students face. Haja’s passion for guiding students through their academic journey began when she served as a mentor to youth in the Upward Bound program at Rutgers University. She quickly realized that supporting and guiding disadvantaged students was essential to their college success. Haja is now the Programs Director at FICGN, overseeing student support services for students impacted by the criminal justice system. Her expertise in higher education policy and extensive experience working with incarcerated learners make her a valuable member of the FICGN community.
FICGN’s administrative assistant keeps busy. As a certified peer support counselor, Brian facilitates a group of formerly incarcerated artists in association with Justice Arts Coalition. He frequently collaborates with ABO Comix, talking on panels and advancing the conversation regarding the currently and formerly incarcerated queer community. They have had essays, poetry, and comix published, and he continues to grow through words and conversations. While incarcerated, Brian worked five years as a one-on-one facilitator for the Thresholds Decision Making and Writing for Self-Awareness programs collaborating with fellow incarcerated individuals to create various new programs, including a quick decision group lesson, a parenting workshop, and a personal essay lesson plan. They are also deep in the process of writing a fictional young adult book series.
FICGN’s administrative assistant keeps busy. As a certified peer support counselor, Brian facilitates a group of formerly incarcerated artists in association with Justice Arts Coalition. He frequently collaborates with ABO Comix, talking on panels and advancing the conversation regarding the currently and formerly incarcerated queer community. They have had essays, poetry, and comix published, and he continues to grow through words and conversations. While incarcerated, Brian worked five years as a one-on-one facilitator for the Thresholds Decision Making and Writing for Self-Awareness programs collaborating with fellow incarcerated individuals to create various new programs, including a quick decision group lesson, a parenting workshop, and a personal essay lesson plan. They are also deep in the process of writing a fictional young adult book series.
Kyra Scrimgeour is a dynamic professional with a broad range of experience in non-profit university communications, operations, and student advising. She has helped hundreds of students access college and English as a Second Language education. Her specializations have been in international and nontraditional postsecondary study, and she has spent her career within university systems as a passionate advocate for broader education access.
Kyra earned her B.A. in English Writing from the University of Colorado Denver and her certification to teach English as a Second Language and Business English from the University of Toronto. As someone who earned these credentials while navigating the legal system, Kyra believes deeply in the power of knowledge. She hopes to use her professional and personal experience to further connect and expand the community of impacted learners and graduates.
Kyra Scrimgeour is a dynamic professional with a broad range of experience in non-profit university communications, operations, and student advising. She has helped hundreds of students access college and English as a Second Language education. Her specializations have been in international and nontraditional postsecondary study, and she has spent her career within university systems as a passionate advocate for broader education access.
Kyra earned her B.A. in English Writing from the University of Colorado Denver and her certification to teach English as a Second Language and Business English from the University of Toronto. As someone who earned these credentials while navigating the legal system, Kyra believes deeply in the power of knowledge. She hopes to use her professional and personal experience to further connect and expand the community of impacted learners and graduates.
Tana M. Schiewer is an award-winning leader and seasoned development professional with over twenty years of experience in nonprofits, focusing on grants management and process improvement. She has successfully secured funding from diverse sources including government agencies, private foundations, corporations, and individual donors, raising millions for meaningful causes.
Throughout her career, Tana has been committed to justice, working with various organizations dedicated to addressing homelessness, LGBTQ+ rights, and legal system reform. Her passion for changing the narrative around system-impacted individuals led her to FICGN, where she now serves as the Grants and Development Manager. Here, Tana aims to enhance support structures for formerly incarcerated individuals through strategic development initiatives and innovative fundraising.
Tana earned her PhD in Rhetoric and Writing from Virginia Tech, focusing her graduate studies and dissertation on communicative strategies in nonprofit messaging. This work underscores Tana’s deep understanding of how narrative and language influence organizational outcomes and lead to broader societal change.
Tana M. Schiewer is an award-winning leader and seasoned development professional with over twenty years of experience in nonprofits, focusing on grants management and process improvement. She has successfully secured funding from diverse sources including government agencies, private foundations, corporations, and individual donors, raising millions for meaningful causes.
Throughout her career, Tana has been committed to justice, working with various organizations dedicated to addressing homelessness, LGBTQ+ rights, and legal system reform. Her passion for changing the narrative around system-impacted individuals led her to FICGN, where she now serves as the Grants and Development Manager. Here, Tana aims to enhance support structures for formerly incarcerated individuals through strategic development initiatives and innovative fundraising.
Tana earned her PhD in Rhetoric and Writing from Virginia Tech, focusing her graduate studies and dissertation on communicative strategies in nonprofit messaging. This work underscores Tana’s deep understanding of how narrative and language influence organizational outcomes and lead to broader societal change.
Former Board Leadership
Susie is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Texas at Austin whose research seeks to improve the communication about and within communities directly impacted by the criminalization system. As an active/ engaged/ public scholar, she shares her work in a variety of forums including guest lectures on college campuses, public speaking engagements, organizational trainings, and panel discussions. For an example of Susie’s public speaking, please see this TedX event at Texas State University, where she earned her MA in Communication Studies.
As Director of Communications for the Texas Inmate Families Association, Susie uses her training as a rhetorician and first-hand experience with the criminalization system to help families of incarcerated people tell their stories and advocate for policy change.
Susie is also a founding member of FICGN and serves on the Board of Directors as Secretary.
Susie is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Texas at Austin whose research seeks to improve the communication about and within communities directly impacted by the criminalization system. As an active/ engaged/ public scholar, she shares her work in a variety of forums including guest lectures on college campuses, public speaking engagements, organizational trainings, and panel discussions. For an example of Susie’s public speaking, please see this TedX event at Texas State University, where she earned her MA in Communication Studies.
As Director of Communications for the Texas Inmate Families Association, Susie uses her training as a rhetorician and first-hand experience with the criminalization system to help families of incarcerated people tell their stories and advocate for policy change.
Susie is also a founding member of FICGN and serves on the Board of Directors as Secretary.
Bronwyn is an Assistant Professor of Community Psychology at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. Her research program identifies factors that promote successful prisoner re-entry and reintegration by examining stigma, health, and well-being among individuals with criminal justice and substance abuse histories.
Specifically, she focuses on: 1) the relationship between stigma, stigma management, and health-related outcomes for individuals transitioning from prison to the community; and 2) program development and evaluation to improve health and well-being for women who have been involved in the criminal justice system. I am particularly interested in using participatory methods to develop university-community partnerships to affect individual, community, and policy change.
Bronwyn is an Assistant Professor of Community Psychology at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. Her research program identifies factors that promote successful prisoner re-entry and reintegration by examining stigma, health, and well-being among individuals with criminal justice and substance abuse histories.
Specifically, she focuses on: 1) the relationship between stigma, stigma management, and health-related outcomes for individuals transitioning from prison to the community; and 2) program development and evaluation to improve health and well-being for women who have been involved in the criminal justice system. I am particularly interested in using participatory methods to develop university-community partnerships to affect individual, community, and policy change.
Dr. Beasley is an Assistant Professor at the University of Washington Tacoma, where he studies transitions from prison to college, leads the development of the Husky Post-Prison pathways initiative, and advises the Formerly Incarcerated Student Association. Dr. Beasley attended community college after leaving prison and “cut his social justice chops” fighting for queer liberation as an undergraduate student in the early 2000’s. He began organizing and supporting formerly incarcerated college students as a graduate student in the 2010’s and co-founded the FICGN in 2014. In addition to his scholarship, Dr. Beasley currently focuses on investing in student leaders while creating systems and structures in which they can realize their potential. He also serves as Board Director for From Prison Cells to Ph.D. while co-planning the annual Rise Up Conference and advising other efforts to develop higher education during and after incarceration.
Dr. Beasley is an Assistant Professor at the University of Washington Tacoma, where he studies transitions from prison to college, leads the development of the Husky Post-Prison pathways initiative, and advises the Formerly Incarcerated Student Association. Dr. Beasley attended community college after leaving prison and “cut his social justice chops” fighting for queer liberation as an undergraduate student in the early 2000’s. He began organizing and supporting formerly incarcerated college students as a graduate student in the 2010’s and co-founded the FICGN in 2014. In addition to his scholarship, Dr. Beasley currently focuses on investing in student leaders while creating systems and structures in which they can realize their potential. He also serves as Board Director for From Prison Cells to Ph.D. while co-planning the annual Rise Up Conference and advising other efforts to develop higher education during and after incarceration.