Policy & Research Advisory Committee

The Education Justice Project (EJP) is a unit of the College of Education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a comprehensive college-in-prison program. The mission of EJP is to build a model college-in-prison program that demonstrates the positive effects of higher education on incarcerated students, their families, the communities to which they return, the host institution, and society as a whole. To accomplish this mission, EJP developed several programs and initiatives, including a Policy & Research Division.

The mission of EJP’s Policy & Research Division is to educate and equip relevant stakeholders with knowledge, skills, and confidence to produce research and practice civic engagement that promotes equity-focused and evidence-based policymaking related to higher education in prison, reentry, and other relevant issues. We work to challenge the dominant narrative around incarceration, mitigate the impacts of incarceration, support the creation of more humane and just responses to harm and violence, and allow college-in-prison programs to flourish only as long as prisons exist. 

In order to ground our policy and research work in the experiences of system-impacted people, we are recruiting a committee of advisors who have experience with policy work and higher education in prison. Advisors will provide guidance to the Policy & Research Team, drawing upon their lived expertise. They are also encouraged to participate in internal and external events that align with EJP’s policy & research work.

This is a paid consultant position. Compensation is $25/hour, up to $2,500/year and committee members are expected to commit 8 to 10 hours per month. Advisory committee members will serve a 2-year term.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Advise the EJP policy & research director in relation to specific projects and initiatives, including but not limited to:
  • feedback on policy & research division SMART goals
  • guidance on policy agenda and strategy
  • input on specific legislation and policies
• Provide other consultation and technical assistance as requested regarding the division’s work
• Attend quarterly advisory committee meetings, monthly team meetings, and ad hoc meetings as needed;

Required Qualifications

• Familiarity with Illinois’ criminal legal systems and policies, especially as it relates to higher education in prison and reentry;
• Strong teamwork, communication, and organizational skills;
• Proven dependability and reliability;
• Demonstrated commitment to educational equity and evidence-based policy

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior involvement in a prison education program within the Illinois Department of Corrections;
• Experience serving as a consultant or advisor.

Apply by April 30, 2026 for priority consideration. To apply, please complete the application by clicking on the blue 'Apply for This Job' button in the top right corner.