CCA and Eastern Kentucky University Form New Partnership
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Correction Corporations of America (CCA) has partnered with Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) in a new program that bridges the daily demands of correctional operations with the increasing qualifications expected of today’s corrections professionals.
Through the company-paid program, participating CCA employees study online undergraduate and graduate level correctional courses, leading to professional certifications in corrections. These credit hours may also be applied toward bachelor’s or master’s degree programs in related disciplines at EKU and other universities.
“With Damon Hininger, our newly appointed president and chief operating officer, who joined the company as a correctional officer five months after graduating from Kansas State University, drawing parallels between attending college and climbing the career ladder is especially timely,” said Bill Rusak, CCA chief human resources officer.
Participants on the undergraduate track take 24 hours of coursework, focusing on subjects such as law and ethics, evidence-based offender intervention strategies, women in corrections and addictions treatment, eventually leading to a professional certificate in correctional interventions. Those on the graduate level track take 12 hours of coursework, emphasizing administration, rehabilitation, law and ethics and adult corrections, earning a professional certificate in correctional leadership upon completion.
“For correctional professionals at all stages of their careers, CCA offers training that meets them where they are – and provides the foundation to take them where they aspire to be,” said Steve Kaiser, CCA managing director, Organizational Development, Staffing and Training. “In order for us to meet our vision to be the best full-service adult corrections system in the nation, we have to have the best people.”
As one of the first universities to offer a degree program specializing in corrections, EKU offers participating CCA employees training a program with a track record more than 30 years strong.
“This partnership serves as a model for future programs, allowing CCA to continue to strengthen its work force and overall staff performance,” Rusak said.
To learn more about the partnership, visit www.cca.eku.edu.
About CCA
CCA is the founder and industry leader of the private corrections management industry, representing the nation’s fifth-largest corrections system, behind the federal government and three states. CCA currently operates 64 facilities, including 42 that are company-owned, with a total design capacity of approximately 81,000 beds in 19 states and the District of Columbia, with more than 17,000 employees who provide comprehensive educational, vocational, therapeutic and addictions treatment programs intended to prepare inmates for successful re-integration with society.