Above: ASUN welding instructor Michael Deckard (far left) and ASUN’s director of prison education Tonya Gates (far right) with two recent welding graduates from the Prison Education Program.
For the first time, two female inmates participating in the Arkansas State University-Newport (ASUN) welding program have successfully received their American Welding Society (AWS) certifications. ASUN says this is a significant chapter in its Prison Education Program and the result of concerted efforts to extend educational equity and vocational training to prison students.
“This milestone is not just about certifications; it’s about changing lives,” said Joe Campbell, Dean for Liberal Arts at ASUN. “It reflects our commitment to providing all students, regardless of their circumstances, with opportunities to grow, learn, and build a new path for themselves.”
ASUN said the AWS certifications were made possible through the dedication and hard work of Tonya Gates, director of Prison Education Program Engagement, and Michael Deckard, instructor of welding.
The school noted in a release that the duo’s relentless pursuit of excellence and advocacy for educational opportunities within the prison system has been instrumental in breaking barriers and setting new precedents for vocational training behind bars.
Image provided by ASUN
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