Aug 21, 2026
SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – Lake Superior State University celebrated a historic milestone on August 4, 2026, as fifteen students graduated from the STEP UP program (Success Through Educational Pathways in the Upper Peninsula) during a commencement ceremony held at the Chippewa Correctional Facility.
The ceremony marked the graduation of the program’s first-ever cohort through the College of Professional Studies and the Lukenda School of Business, highlighting the transformative impact of higher education within correctional facilities. Graduates earned an Associate in Small Business Administration, a Certificate in Business Entrepreneurship, and a Certificate in Business Fundamentals.
The commencement brought together university leaders, faculty, correctional staff, graduates, and their families to celebrate the students’ academic achievements and commitment to building brighter futures.
Among those in attendance were Heidi Washington, Director of the Michigan Department of Corrections; Dr. David Travis, President of Lake Superior State University; Dr. Kimberly Muller, Provost; Mindy McCready, Dean of the College of Professional Studies; along with faculty and staff members from Lake Superior State University.
Dr. Richard Ray, Former Chair of the Michigan Consortium for Higher Education in Prison (MiCHEP), gave the commencement address and encouraged all students to question the next positive steps in their paths. Dr. Ray was the founding Chair of MICHEP and has been a driving force behind helping Michigan become a national model for successful higher education prison programs. Current MiCHEP Executive Director, Dr. Jeff Abernathy, attended the event as his first graduation since stepping into his new role.
“LSSU’s first graduation was truly inspiring, testimony to the hard work everyone there has done to build this program,” Dr. Abernathy said.
A highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the STEP UP Instructor of the Year Award to Dr. Lynn Gillette. During his remarks, Dr. Gillette reflected on the profound impact of the STEP UP program, emphasizing the power of education to transform lives, create opportunity, and inspire hope both during incarceration and beyond. His message underscored the importance of providing students with the knowledge, confidence, and skills needed to successfully reintegrate into their communities.
The graduates’ accomplishments represent more than just academic success; they demonstrate resilience, perseverance, and the life-changing potential of education. Through partnerships between Lake Superior State University and the Michigan Department of Corrections, the STEP UP program continues to provide students with meaningful pathways to personal growth, career readiness, and long-term success.
“As we celebrate this inaugural graduating class, we also celebrate the possibilities that education creates,” said Marc Boucher, Director of the STEP UP Program. “These graduates have demonstrated extraordinary determination, and their achievements serve as an inspiration to others pursuing opportunities for change.”
The STEP UP program continues to reflect Lake Superior State University’s commitment to expanding educational access and empowering individuals through learning, leadership, and opportunity.
LSSU will be welcoming the third cohort of 25 STEP UP students for the Fall 2026 semester, bringing the total number of enrolled students in the program to 65.
