GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A Calvin University student is one of three students in the country to be awarded The Hatfield Prize by the Center for Public Justice.
Emily Steen, a senior studying sociology with minors in urban studies and criminology. has been advocating for restorative justice from her first year at Calvin, inspired by her work with the Calvin Prison Initiative.
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As a freshman, she spearheaded Calvin Peacemakers, a restorative justice club. In partnership with the Calvin Prison Initiative, the club has worked with state legislation and the Michigan Department of Corrections.
But she's still hoping to do more.
Now, with funding from the Hatfield Prize, Steen plans to research polices and programs that would help formerly incarcerated individuals access higher education.
Steen will be advised by sociology professor Mark Mulder, who says the Calvin Prison Initiative has been successful but hopes Steen's research takes the program to a next step.
"Transitioning as a returning citizen while pursuing an undergraduate education is not an easy task," said Mulder. "Emily’s research will help us to better understand how educational institutions like Calvin can better serve returning citizens.”
The Hatfield Prizehonors the late Senator Mark O. Hatfield. Senator Hatfield was from Oregon and known for integrating his Christian faith and his public policy commitments.
To read more about Emily Steen and her award-winning research project, read here.
