J. F. Ingram State Technical College Dean of Instruction Dr. William “Butch” Young has been named to the 2022-23 cohort of the Vera Institute of Justice’s “Corrections Education Leadership Academy”. 

ISTC president Annette Funderburk said the academy brings together corrections education leaders from across the county for a series of learning and networking opportunities. “CELA participants focus on ways to enhance education services for incarcerated students,” she explained. “Dr. Young’s participation in the program will provide Ingram access to best practices from corrections education programs nationwide.”

One topic the 2022-23 cohort will address is expansion of the Second Chance Pell program, an initiative which provides qualifying incarcerated students access to financial aid. Ingram State was among the 67 colleges and universities selected to pilot the Second Chance Pell initiative in 2015.

Ingram State serves incarcerated students exclusively, offering career technical programs, industry certification, adult education and GED preparation, and workplace skills training, as well as job placement services.

Young was named  Dean of Instruction in 2021. Prior to his work at Ingram State, he taught in the Instructional Leadership program at Jacksonville State University and spent three years as a curriculum coordinator for the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Young also has experience in Alabama’s K-12 public school system.