Staff Member Presents at International Conference, Named to Council

Jeremiah C. Gee, outcomes assessment specialist in Pennsylvania College of Technology's School of Integrated Studies, recently presented a 75-minute session at the 64th annual Correctional Education Association international conference.

The session, titled "Assessing Experience: Intersections of Education, Change, and Identity," focused on qualitative assessment of the student learning experience.

Each year, the CEA hosts hundreds of educators and administrators in correctional institutions who gather to review and plan research, discuss instructional strategies, and identify best practices for improving student outcomes.

"Assessment of student learning is often focused on quantitative outcomes, but we know students gain maturity in hard-to-measure areas like attitudes and dispositions, as well," Gee said. "A qualitative component to any assessment system provides a more complete picture of what students are gaining from their participation."

Gee's research has identified two themes in the student-learning experience: the first involves the perception of internal, personal change, and the second deals with the enfolding of that perception into an outward identity projected by the individual.

Due to his involvement with research in assessment, correctional education and higher education, Gee has been named to the CEA President's Council as chair of the postsecondary education special interest group.

"Being named to the President's Council is an excellent opportunity to promote partnerships between institutions of higher education and correctional institutions," Gee said.

The mission of the CEA is to increase community awareness and legislative support for the benefits of providing educational opportunities to incarcerated people. Gee said that, historically, those in higher education have acted as advocates for education in the broader community, and that will be his main focus as a member of the CEA President's Council.

Gee earned a master's degree in education from Mansfield University and a bachelor's degree in psychology from Nyack College Manhattan Center. He is a doctoral student in The Pennsylvania State University's adult education program. He serves as adviser to the Collegiate Association for County Correctional Education student organization at Penn College.

For more information about the School of Integrated Studies at Penn College, visit online or call 570-327-4521.

To learn more about Penn College, visit on the Web , e-mail or call toll-free 800-367-9222.