Trechaun Anderson

Motivation to pursue a graduate degree

Professors at multiple stages of my education encouraged me to pursue a PhD. They heard me talk at length about my passions and felt the doctoral program would be the best route. After going through the bachelors and master's programs, I agreed with their recommendations, as I didn't feel prepared to develop interventions and programming yet.

Importance and/or impact of research and work

I will be studying the barriers to successful community reentry for offenders who were in prison. I plan to look at the gaps in services and use this data to inform my development of a reentry program. The U.S. has the largest number of incarcerated individuals in the world, and the opportunities for restoration are limited. It's time to increase these opportunities and offer those with criminal records the necessary resources to stay out of jail or prison.

Career aspirations

I plan to develop an intensive offender reentry program designed to reduce recidivism. Once the program is developed and evaluated as effective, I want to contract with different states across the U.S. to help implement my program design to fit the unique needs of those communities.

Advice for anyone considering graduate school

Talk to your professors about what they recommend and what they can envision you accomplishing. Include your family in your decision to pursue graduate school. This decision can be a big change and adjustment not just for you but for your support system, too.

Accomplishments during graduate career

This is my first year in the doctoral program, and I am excited to see what I accomplish during this season. Right now, I am most proud of starting this program and being a part of the McKnight Doctoral Fellowship.