About the Partnership for College Completion (PCC)

The Partnership for College Completion (PCC) is a nonprofit organization founded in 2016 to champion policies and practices that increase college completion and eliminate degree completion disparities for low-income, first-generation, and students of color in Illinois — particularly Black and Latinx students. PCC is the only organization in Illinois dedicated to providing leadership for a systems-level approach to support college completion and eliminate institutional inequities by race and income in higher education outcomes. PCC envisions a state where equitable opportunities to access and complete a college education lead to greater degree attainment, racial equity, and socioeconomic mobility for Illinoisans.

With its vision for system-level reform and institutional change, PCC executes a three-part strategy in pursuit of its goals:

• Supporting colleges and universities directly in their institutional equity change efforts
• Advocating for effective local, state, and national policy and legislation
• Conducting and elevating data and research to increase public awareness and dialogue on higher education equity

Position Overview

The Higher Education in Prison Justice Fellow (Justice Fellow), under the supervision of the Policy Manager, will support PCC’s policy, advocacy, and research efforts related to postsecondary access, success, and completion for justice-impacted students. This fellowship is designed for an emerging leader who has been directly impacted by the criminal legal system and is passionate about advancing equitable higher education opportunities.

The Fellow will contribute lived expertise, policy insight, and strategic support to PCC’s efforts to address barriers facing justice-impacted learners. Through collaboration with PCC staff, higher education institutions, policymakers, advocates, and community organizations, the Fellow will help inform policy recommendations, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and elevate the experiences of justice-impacted students across Illinois.

This term-limited, grant-funded fellowship offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in higher education policy, advocacy, research, communications, and nonprofit leadership while contributing to meaningful systems change. The opportunity comes as the Illinois Community College Board and Illinois Board of Higher Education prepare to implement new grant programs of $250,000 each to support prison education programs.

Key Responsibilities

Policy Research and Analysis (40%)

• Conduct research on policies, practices, and trends impacting justice-impacted students in higher education.
• Monitor state and federal legislation related to postsecondary education, reentry, workforce development, and criminal legal system reform.
• Assist in the development of policy briefs, reports, presentations, and advocacy materials.
• Analyze data and emerging research to identify opportunities for improving educational outcomes for justice-impacted students.

Stakeholder Engagement and Advocacy (30%)

• Participate in meetings with higher education institutions, community organizations, advocacy groups, and policymakers.
• Support coalition-building efforts and strategic partnerships focused on educational equity and justice reform.
• Provide recommendations and feedback informed by lived experience and community perspectives.
• Represent PCC at meetings, convenings, and public events as appropriate.

Communications and Storytelling (20%)

• Lead or contribute to the development of at least three thought leadership and storytelling pieces during the fellowship year, such as blog posts, policy reflections, student stories, or other written content.
• Support the creation of PCC briefs, presentations, social media content, and other communications materials that elevate student voices and advance PCC’s mission and policy priorities.
• Participate in at least one public-facing opportunity during the fellowship year, such as a panel discussion, presentation, webinar, publication, or media engagement.

Professional Development (10%)

• Participate in structured professional development opportunities, mentorship, and learning experiences.
• Develop skills in policy analysis, advocacy, communications, stakeholder engagement, and nonprofit leadership.

Qualifications

Required:

• Directly impacted by the criminal legal system, including individuals who have been:
  • incarcerated,
  • individuals with arrests and/or convictions but no incarceration history, or,
  • individuals with juvenile records.
• Demonstrated interest in higher education policy, educational equity, criminal legal system reform, or related issues.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders and community partners.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Commitment to advancing equity and opportunity for underserved students.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.

Preferred:

• No more than five years of professional experience in advocacy, education, nonprofit, public policy, community organizing, or related fields.
• Experience with public speaking, facilitation, community engagement, or storytelling.
• Familiarity with Illinois higher education systems and/or criminal legal system issues.
• Lived experience navigating higher education as a justice-impacted student.

Compensation & Benefits

This fellowship is compensated at $30 per hour for a 25-hour work week. Fellows will receive ongoing professional development, mentorship, and networking opportunities throughout the fellowship term.

Commitment to Diversity

The Partnership for College Completion is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to building a diverse team and to engaging the skills and leadership of people of color, individuals from low-income households, LGBTQ+ persons, differently-abled people, and others that hold identities that represent the significant diversity of college students in Illinois. People from these and other historically marginalized backgrounds and communities are strongly encouraged to apply.

PCC particularly encourages applications from individuals who have been directly impacted by the criminal legal system and whose lived experiences can help inform efforts to improve educational outcomes for justice-impacted students.

Virtual and In-Office Workplace

PCC maintains a flexible, hybrid work environment. Staff work remotely three days per week and are expected to work in the office two days per week to support collaboration, team culture, and cross-functional coordination. Due to the nature of this fellowship, the Fellow will be expected to work from the office at least one day per week and participate in in-person meetings, team activities, and organizational events as needed. From time to time, additional in-office days may be required to support organizational priorities, special projects, trainings, or events. Advance notice will be provided whenever possible.

This position may also require occasional travel throughout Illinois for meetings, conferences, and stakeholder engagement opportunities.

How to Apply

To be considered for the Higher Education in Prison Justice Fellow position, please email your application materials as a single PDF attachment to apply@partnershipfcc.org with the subject line: Justice Fellow.

Your application must include:

• A cover letter describing your interest in the fellowship, your lived experience and perspective, and your commitment to advancing educational opportunities for justice-impacted students.
• A resume detailing relevant professional, educational, volunteer, or lived experience.