Moreau College Initiative

The Moreau College Initiative (MCI) is an academic program of Holy Cross College that provides Associate and Bachelor of Arts degrees in the liberal arts to incarcerated men at Westville Correctional Facility in Northwest Indiana. 

Since its founding in 2012, MCI has awarded more than 145 Associate of Arts degrees and 49 Bachelor of Arts degrees. Through a partnership with the Indiana Department of Correction, students receive a rigorous Holy Cross College education that develops the knowledge, skills, and virtues needed to flourish as community leaders, family members, and citizens upon release. 

Rooted in the mission of Holy Cross College and the Congregation of Holy Cross, MCI affirms the dignity of every person and extends educational opportunity to those on the margins of society. By bringing the transformative power of higher education into correctional facilities, MCI helps break cycles of incarceration while creating pathways to hope, growth, and meaningful change.

College education has the power to break cycles of violence and incarceration by equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and virtues needed to flourish as productive citizens and community leaders. 

• 145+ Associate of Arts degrees awarded 
• 49 Bachelor of Arts degrees awarded 
• 95%+ of released students secure stable housing and employment within six months 
• Less than 10% recidivism rate among MCI bachelor’s degree graduates 
• 55–60 courses offered annually 
• 80–90 enrolled annually 

Students who are released before completing their degrees may continue their education on Holy Cross College’s main campus. 

“I was in prison and you visited me.” –Matthew 25:36

What began in 2012 as a pilot program serving 15 students has become one of the nation’s largest prison education programs. 

With the opening of a new correctional facility in Westville, MCI plans to expand to approximately 120 students and 80 courses annually over the next three years. 

In addition to academic coursework, MCI students participate in a wide range of extracurricular opportunities including a student-staffed writing center, a regenerative farm, a music and poetry club, career development workshops, and reentry programming.  

Volunteers support students through tutoring, mentoring, research assistance, and sponsoring extracurricular opportunities. 

All gifts to the MCI Endowment will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation up to $1 million over the next two years. 

This investment will help ensure the long-term sustainability and growth of the Moreau College Initiative, allowing future generations of students to benefit from transformative educational opportunities. 

Gifts to the MCI General Fund provide immediate support for students, courses, educational resources, graduation celebrations, reentry programming, and educational opportunities. 

Your Gift Makes an Impact

$100: Provides a cap, gown, and diploma for one graduate. 

$200: Provides textbooks and school supplies for one student for one semester. 

$500: Supports an Alumni Welcome Home Dinner. 

$1,000: Provides textbooks and educational materials for one course. 

$5,000: Supports the annual commencement ceremony and reception. 

$10,000: Funds one academic course in mathematics, theology, philosophy, English, or science. 

$20,000: Supports the Senior Internship and Capstone experience. 

$40,000: Funds freshman composition courses for approximately 30 students. 

The Moreau College Initiative is proud to introduce this student-led documentary exploring the interconnectedness of land and people. The film is directed by Trace Engbrecht of Parable Films and produced by Cam Stillson. The production and distribution of this film is supported by a generous grant from Indiana Humanities.

In this video, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at out how the Moreau College Initiative is giving students hope for a better future.

The Pulte Family Charitable Foundation Announces Endowment for Moreau College Prison Initiative

Moreau College Initiative Film Accepted into 2024 Heartland Film Festival

Read the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities story about prison education programs, including MCI

Read the Indiana Public Media’s MCI story

Read the University of Notre Dame College of Arts & Letters story about MCI

Read the Notre Dame Magazine piece about Patrick Regan’s business that employs returning citizens

Read the Insider Higher Ed piece about questions that remain after the release of new Pell Grant regulations.

Read a piece in Scholastic about Justin McDevitt, the assistant regional director for alumni and reentry services with Notre Dame Programs for Education in Prison (NDPEP) at the Center for Social Concerns.

Every gift creates opportunities for education, dignity, and transformation. 

Whether you support immediate student needs through the General Fund or invest in the future through the Endowment, your generosity helps ensure that MCI continues changing lives for generations to come.