Glossary
Higher Education in Prison operates at the intersection of higher education, corrections, philanthropy, and federal policy. As a result, it includes specialized terminology and acronyms that may not be familiar to all readers.
The definitions below are intended to provide clarity, promote shared understanding, and support consistent use of terminology across institutions and partners.
Acronyms
Community-based organizations
Higher Education in Prison
Holistic Learning in Higher Education in Prison
Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning
Non-Designated Programming Facilities
Public Information Officer
Sensitive Needs Yard
Terms
An online Learning Management System where instructors can upload course content and assign grades, and students can access materials and submit assignments.
A non-profit or grassroots organization catered to addressing the needs of their clients.
SDSU’s Economic Crisis Response Team (ECRT) is a program within the Basic Needs Center that aims to bridge the gap in resources for students experiencing immediate food, housing, or unforeseen financial crises that impact student success.
The utilization of methods backed by objective scientific research and data.
SDSU’s Global Campus offers remote and online degree and certificate programs for students all over the world.
SDSU’s Main Campus is located in San Diego, and mainly caters to in-person students.
A teaching strategy that focuses on supporting the whole student, intellectually, emotionally, physically, socially, and ethically.
A learning philosophy that focuses on the student, not their surroundings, encouraging educators to balance the recognition that students are learning in the most difficult of circumstances while first and foremost valuing their presences as students.
The firsthand knowledge gained from involvement in a specific situation or belonging to a certain identity. In this case, lived experience mainly refers to experience with the carceral system.
“Project Rebound is a program that supports the higher education and successful reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals wishing to enroll and succeed at the California State University. By connecting students with critical resources, Project Rebound constructs an alternative to the revolving door policy of mass incarceration and increases community strength and safety.”
Sensitive Needs Yard: Sensitive Needs Yards typically house individuals who cannot safely remain in traditional general population settings, including those who are no longer gang-affiliated, have high-profile cases, or are otherwise vulnerable.
Non-Designated Programming Facility: Non-Designated Programming Facilities were developed to integrate individuals from Sensitive Needs and General Population backgrounds into shared programming spaces following individual review.
Assessment models that identify skills that students already bring to their learning while also recognizing barriers that may affect success.
A learning philosophy that prioritizes the experiences, strengths, and needs of learners.
The recognition of how trauma may impact different aspects of an individual’s life, including mental, emotional, and physical aspects. Importantly, acting as to avoid further re-traumatization.
Utilized interchangeably with holistic learning services.