December 4, 2025
Story by Joe Vinduska
Barton Community College has been selected as a key research partner in the new Prison Education Action Research Lab (PEARL), which is being launched this year by the University of Utah with an $8 million award from Ascendium Education Group.
PEARL is the first national center dedicated to advancing research, data, and leadership in prison education.
Barton Vice President of Instruction Elaine Simmons said Barton will participate in PEARL’s anchor project, the Prison Education Research Initiative (PERI), a multi-institutional study that will collect long-term data on prison education programs, students, and outcomes. She added that Barton was selected due to its established work in correctional education will play an important role in informing national research that will help guide future policy and best practices.
“Barton Community College is honored to be among the 20+ institutions across the nation participating in PERI,” she said. “The College has served the incarcerated population for nearly 25 years and during that time has committed to the belief that education and training are essential elements of successful reentry into society with positive outcomes for families and community. We stand proudly to participate in this research project and to utilize data gained in support of continuous service enhancements in conjunction with our facility partners.”
By joining more than 20 colleges and universities in the inaugural PERI cohort, Barton Community College strengthens its position as a leader in providing high-quality educational opportunities for incarcerated learners and contributing to evidence-based improvements in the field.
For more information about PEARL and PERI, visit https://education.utah.edu/news/pearl-funding-castro.php.