Justice Fellows Policy Program

Program Start: 2021

Overview:
The Justice Policy Fellowship elevates the voices of individuals directly impacted by the legal system. The program selects outstanding individuals from across the country who have overcome significant barriers and done amazing work in their communities.

Program Purpose

To recognize and amplify the perspectives of justice-impacted individuals in higher education policy advocacy. Fellows use their lived experiences to inform, review, and amplify EdTrust's policy recommendations for justice-impacted students.

Focus Areas

• Higher education access and affordability for justice-impacted individuals
• Criminal legal system reform as it relates to educational opportunity
• Policy advocacy at the nexus of higher education and the criminal justice system

Eligibility

• Individuals with direct experience with the legal/criminal justice system
• Demonstrated track record of community work and impact
• Commitment to advancing educational equity for justice-impacted populations
• Outstanding candidates from across the United States

Advisory Board

EdTrust has convened an advisory board of 13+ individuals with expertise in advocating for issues at the nexus of higher education policy and the criminal legal system, including practitioners, scholars, activists, and formerly incarcerated individuals.

Key Advisory Board Members Include

• Omari Amili - Program manager with Seattle-based nonprofit Choose 180
• Mary Baxter - Award-winning artist, writer, and cultural worker from Philadelphia
• Maria Garza - Restorative justice practitioner and prison reform advocate
• Veronica Horowitz, Ph.D. - Professor of sociology and criminology
• Patrick Rodriguez - Inaugural co-executive director of the Georgia Coalition for Higher Education in Prison
• Allan Wachendorfer - Associate initiative director with Vera Institute of Justice's Unlocking Potential initiative

Application Process

Specific application procedures are not detailed on the provided website pages.

To Apply:

• Contact EdTrust directly through their website
• Check the Fellowships section on edtrust.org for current application cycles
• Visit the Justice Fellows Policy Program page for latest updates and opportunities

Required Information (likely):

• Personal statement on lived experience and community work
• Resume or CV
• Letters of recommendation
• Essay responses on higher education policy and justice-impacted students