What does it take to create meaningful pathways from reentry to economic mobility?

In this installment of Unlock Higher Education’s Speaker Series, we sit down with Tamara Cotman Springs, Manager of Participant Development at the Center for Employment Opportunities, for a conversation about the intersection of higher education, workforce development, leadership, reentry, and economic mobility.

With more than three decades of experience spanning education, professional development, public defense reform, and reentry services, Tamara brings both professional expertise and lived experience to the conversation. Her experience with wrongful conviction and incarceration has shaped her commitment to building systems that recognize the potential—not simply the past—of justice-impacted individuals.

Tamara discusses the importance of developing pathways that lead beyond initial employment toward sustainable, upwardly mobile careers. We explore the role of leadership development, education, workforce preparation, mentorship, and institutional support in helping people successfully navigate reentry and build lasting economic opportunity.

This conversation is ultimately about more than employment. It is about creating systems where people can move forward, develop their leadership, and build futures that extend far beyond the barriers they have previously faced.

In June 2025, she published her first book, Sordid Injustice: A Memoir of Courage, Conviction, and the Misuse of RICO, which chronicles her journey through wrongful conviction, imprisonment, and redemption. The book is available on Amazon and through www.courageouslyshe.com.

About Unlock Higher Education

Unlock Higher Education (UHE) brings together educators, researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and advocates committed to expanding access to higher education for justice-impacted students and creating more equitable educational systems.📚

Learn more about Unlock Higher Education and upcoming events:https://conta.cc/3IG0tDH👍

If you enjoyed this conversation, please Like, Subscribe, and Share to help us expand access to higher education, elevate conversations around justice and educational equity, and reach more people working to transform lives through learning.

#UnlockHigherEducation #HigherEducation #WorkforceDevelopment #CareerReadiness #EconomicMobility #ReentryServices #JusticeReform #AdultEducation #LeadershipDevelopment #WorkforceInnovation #EducationEquity #FutureOfWork

In this powerful conversation, Darlene George and Ashley Mackie share how coding, digital literacy, and policy innovation are creating new pathways for currently and formerly incarcerated individuals inside Maine’s Justice Policy Coding Lab. Joined by Erica King, the discussion explores what happens when technical education, lived experience, and systems-level advocacy come together to challenge assumptions about talent, opportunity, and leadership.Through partnerships between the Maine Department of Corrections, educational institutions, and national workforce initiatives, this work is building more than coding skills—it is building confidence, portfolios, employer connections, and real-world pathways into the digital economy.The session dives into the realities of developing tech talent inside constrained environments, the future of remote work and fair-chance employment, and the importance of creating systems that recognize innovation regardless of where it emerges.This is more than a discussion about coding. It is a conversation about access, dignity, and the untapped brilliance that exists inside communities too often overlooked.Join us as we continue building pathways to education, leadership, and transformation—together.#UnlockHigherEd #FromPrisonCellsToPhD #JusticeImpacted #SecondChances #TechEducation #WorkforceDevelopment #DigitalEquity #SystemChange

In this powerful April session of Unlock Higher Education’s Speaker Series, Desiree “Dezi Speaks” Riley takes us inside the work of transformation—where lived experience becomes leadership, and leadership creates real pathways forward.As the founder of The MasterMind Cooperative, Dezi shares how her team is building opportunity through innovative programs like their Green Jobs Workforce Development initiative—graduating participants from a 6-week paid training focused on composting, landscaping, and solar installation. This conversation goes beyond theory, offering a real look at what it takes to create sustainable, community-driven change for individuals returning home.The session also expands globally, featuring voices from Peru and Panama who are building eco-conscious businesses alongside incarcerated and returning individuals—highlighting both the possibilities and policy barriers that shape this work across different systems.This is more than a conversation. It’s a blueprint for what happens when purpose, innovation, and community come together.🔗 Learn more about Dezi’s work:The MasterMind Cooperative: https://www.themastermindcoop.com/Dezi’s Linktree: https://www.dezispeaks.life📚 Explore her writing:Felony to Freedom: https://www.amazon.com/Felony-Freedom...Breaking Chains, Building Futures: https://www.amazon.com/Breaking-Chain...Join us as we continue building pathways to education, leadership, and second chances—together.#UnlockHigherEd #FromPrisonCellsToPhD #JusticeImpacted #SecondChances #WorkforceDevelopment #LeadershipMatters #SystemChange

In this month’s Unlock Higher Education Speaker Series, we welcomed Josephine Horace-Jackson, a leader with more than 30 years of experience serving marginalized and justice-impacted communities. She shared her journey across healthcare, policy, grassroots organizing, and nonprofit leadership—and what it really takes to create change that lasts.Josephine broke advocacy down to its core: it’s not just about influencing systems, it’s about showing up for people. She spoke on the importance of community navigation, meeting individuals where they are, and ensuring that those closest to the challenges are leading the solutions. Her perspective challenged us to think beyond policy and into practice—how service, trust, and consistency build real impact.This session is a reminder that leadership isn’t loud—it’s steady. It’s built through action, relationships, and a commitment to lifting others as you move forward.Watch, reflect, and take something with you—because when advocacy is done right, it doesn’t just change systems. It changes lives.#UnlockHigherEducation #JusticeImpacted #CommunityLeadership #AdvocacyInAction #ReentrySupport #HigherEdForAll #SystemChange #VoicesThatMatter

In this month’s Unlock Higher Education Coalition Meeting, we welcomed Dr. Basia Skudrick, PhD, who shared her journey from incarceration to academic success and leadership. She discussed the systemic barriers justice-impacted individuals face in accessing education and sustainable employment, and emphasized the power of mentorship, support networks, and self-acceptance.Dr. Basia also highlighted her work as Director of Howard University’s NSF Bridges to Bachelorette Program, a model providing structured pathways from associate to bachelor’s degrees for returning citizens. Her insights underscored the importance of connecting universities with corporations, creating meaningful opportunities, and centering students in reentry-focused programs.This session reminds us that higher education is more than a credential—it’s a tool for transformation, empowerment, and community impact.Watch, learn, and be inspired by how resilience, education, and support can change lives.#UnlockHigherEducation #ReentrySuccess #JusticeImpactedScholars #HigherEdForAll #MentorshipMatters #PathwaysToSuccess #BreakingChainsBuildingFutures #EducationIsLiberation

🎙️ Noah Bein – Director of Justice Policy & Advocacy at Jobs for the Future (JFF), working at the intersection of justice, workforce mobility, and policy reform. Noah leads state and federal efforts to remove barriers facing people with criminal records, with a portfolio spanning youth justice, reentry, and large-scale legislative change—grounded in both data and lived realities.In this session of the Unlock Higher Education Speaker Series, we explore how policy decisions shape access to education and economic opportunity, and what it actually takes to turn reform into results for justice-impacted learners.🔗 Register here:https://conta.cc/3IG0tDH📅 Join our next committee meetingHeld the last Monday of every month at 1 PM EST👉 Sign up to attend: https://conta.cc/3DT9giN🙌 Want to get involved?Join one of our dynamic committees in Membership, Fundraising, Advocacy, Events, or Media & Messaging:👉 https://conta.cc/3mXx6VJ#UnlockHigherEducation #JusticePolicy #WorkforceMobility #Reentry #HigherEducationInPrison #CriminalJusticeReform #PolicyInAction #SecondChanceEducation

This month, we’re breaking from our regular Speaker Series to spotlight our incredible Committee Chairs. Led by our Director, Judith Negron, they will present their plans for the upcoming year, setting the stage for UHE’s vision and initiatives in 2025.

It’s a perfect opportunity to catch up, share your insights, and help shape the future of Unlock Higher Education.

Learn more about our work at https://www.unlockhighered.org/, and submit any questions to [email protected].

Remember, next month's meeting will be January 26th at 1:00 Eastern Standard Time, but we normally meet on the last Monday of the month!

Sign up at https://conta.cc/3DT9giNExplore opportunities to join our dynamic committees in Membership, Fundraising, Advocacy, Events, or Media. Sign up at: https://conta.cc/3mXx6VJ.

November’s Unlock Higher Education Speaker Series brings a conversation that cuts straight to the bone of what real transformation looks like. Paul Rothschild bridges two worlds most people never see together: years of high-level corporate leadership and the lived experience of serving a ten-year federal sentence. That dual vantage point gives him a rare ability to diagnose what’s broken—and build what must replace it.Paul’s work with ENDPP.ORG is reshaping how reentry support, advocacy, and operational systems function on the ground. His story isn’t just about overcoming; it’s about redesigning the pathways others will walk next. This month’s session dives into the intersection of justice, education, and the kind of practical innovation that changes lives in real time.📌 Watch the full session:http://bit.ly/47Rxjxp🔗 Learn more about the Speaker Series:https://conta.cc/47l7llg▶️ Rewatch past sessions + explore more content:@unlockhighered on YouTube📅 Join our next committee meeting:Last Monday of every month at 1 PM EST👉 https://conta.cc/3DT9giN🙌 Get involved:Join a committee—Membership, Fundraising, Advocacy, Events, or Media & Messaging:👉 https://conta.cc/3mXx6VJ#UnlockHigherEducation #EducationEquity #CollegeInPrison #SecondChances #JusticeImpacted #HigherEdForAll #BanTheBox #Reentry #TransformativeJustice #AmplifyVoices #FromPrisonCellsToPhD #AdvocacyInAction #CriminalJusticeReform

Join us for an insightful session with Kathryn Trapp, whose research bridges the gap between theory and real-world impact. Kathryn’s work with Unlocked Labs is transforming policy, earned-time reform, and reentry support — the kind of scholarship that changes systems from the inside out.📌 Watch the full session:http://bit.ly/47Rxjxp🔗 Learn more: https://conta.cc/47l7llg🔁 Rewatch & explore more content on our YouTube channel: @unlockhighered📅 Join our next committee meeting!Happening the last Monday of every month at 1 PM EST👉 Sign up to attend: https://conta.cc/3DT9giN🙌 Want to get involved?Join one of our dynamic committees in Membership, Fundraising, Advocacy, Events, or Media & Messaging:👉 https://conta.cc/3mXx6VJ#UnlockHigherEducation

#DisabilityJustice #PrisonEducation #EducationalEquity #SecondChances #FromPrisonCellsToPhD #InclusionInEducation #AccessibilityMatters #HigherEdForAll #JusticeReform #Reentry #TraumaInformed #DisabilityAccess

In this powerful session, we’re joined by Dr. Casey LaFrance. Dr. LaFrance shares powerful insights on systems thinking, reentry, and accessible education—and how innovation can drive real change in justice-impacted communities.

The Agenda:

http://bit.ly/4ntsoce

📊 View or download Dr. Casey LaFrance's full presentation here:

http://bit.ly/47aIj8L

📬 Contact the Speaker:

http://bit.ly/4mFryrJ

🔁 Rewatch this session and explore more content on our YouTube Channel:

/ @unlockhighered

📅 Join our next committee meeting!

Happening the last Monday of every month at 1 PM EST

👉 Sign up to attend: https://conta.cc/3DT9giN

🙌 Want to get involved?

Join one of our dynamic committees in Membership, Fundraising, Advocacy, Events, or Media & Messaging:

👉 https://conta.cc/3mXx6VJ

The new Breaking Chains, Building Future book: https://a.co/d/8MJTbjH and their Podcast: https://youtu.be/CILJQq7Qa8E?si=5LFyaI3mntG8ck7c

#UnlockHigherEducation #DisabilityJustice #PrisonEducation #EducationalEquity #SecondChances #FromPrisonCellsToPhD #InclusionInEducation #AccessibilityMatters #HigherEdForAll #JusticeReform #Reentry #TraumaInformed #DisabilityAccess