More than 600,000 people return to the community from incarceration each year. And most face a harsh reality: The odds are stacked against them.

Continued education is proven to have a notable impact on reducing recidivism. Yet, the vast majority of states have major barriers to postsecondary education opportunities for people during incarceration and upon release.

A new report provides a comprehensive, state-by-state analysis of postsecondary education policy and practices. It also identifies four fundamental “building blocks” that states can put in place to ensure that high-quality postsecondary education is readily accessible to currently and formerly incarcerated people.

Different generations of adult learners are coming to continuing education for vastly different reasons. From millennials to baby boomers, each has unique goals, needs, and expectations of their postsecondary institution.

In this interview, Melissa Marcello and Gabe Clevenger of Champlain College discuss generational gaps in education and how institutions can adapt to this new learning shift.