EJP Alumni Fellow

We are inviting applications from EJP alumni who would like to serve as EJP Alumni Fellows. Selected applicants will be a part of a two-year cohort serving from August 2026 to July 2028. 

The application deadline is Friday July 31, 2026.

Why Be An EJP Alumni Fellow?

• The program offers a safe and comfortable space for individuals to learn how to carry themselves in professional settings.
• Get help navigating technology.
• Add a prestigious qualification to your resume.
  
• Develop your voice and your perspective.
• Acquire leadership experience and hone your public speaking skills.
• Earn money.
• Be part of a supportive group of EJP alumni and contribute to their development as well as your own.

Hear About their Alumni Fellows Experience in their Own Words

Emmett Sanders (video coming)

Steve Scotti (click here)

What Do EJP Alumni Fellows Do?

1. Represent EJP in public spaces. 

• Fellows have the opportunity to sign up for speaking opportunities that suit their schedules. This includes speaking to classes, community groups, EJP members, and others about incarceration, higher education in prison, and reentry.
• Fellows are invited to moderate panel discussions, serve on interview committees and hiring teams, and be ex officio members of EJP's Advisory Council.

2. Support the EJP alumni community.

• Alumni will host occasional town halls for all EJP alumni. These events, which are new, are intended to provide community, support, and updates.

3. Engage in professional development.

• According to their schedules and interests, fellows are invited to participate in public speaking workshops, leadership skills development workshops, and one-on-one leadership coaching.
• There is a monthly Alumni Fellows meeting.

Who’s Eligible?

Any EJP alumnus is eligible. However, according to university policy the following individuals are prohibited from being compensated: current University of Illinois students (any campus), individuals who have been employed by U of I within the past year, current U of I employees. These individuals should please not apply, as there are questions of equity if some Alumni Fellows are compensated and others are not.

Compensation Details

The activities that EJP Alumni Fellows will be involved with are typically compensated at the following rates:

• giving a talk, $100 - $250, depending on the event and the amount of prep time
• serving on a search committee, $20/hour
• serving on an interview committee, typically $50/interview
• participating in trainings (paid for by EJP), $20/hour

Fellows become vendors of the U of I and are required to submit monthly invoices that document their activities. EJP will assist you in setting up your vendor account. Compensation is via checks mailed to you via US mail or direct deposit to your bank. Compensation takes place approximately 30 days after each invoice submission.

What Are We Looking For?

• 4 - 6 incoming EJP Alumni Fellows.
• Ideally in Illinois or otherwise able to get to Champaign-Urbana easily for occasional tin-person events, though we will consider exceptions to this.
• A diverse cohort that includes individuals who have been out a long time and a short time; people who have been very involved with EJP since release and those who have not been very involved; individuals of varied ages and backgrounds.
• The EJP Alumni Fellowship is a relatively new program and we seek individuals who are interested in working together to build it, even as they participate in it.
• Individuals who are excited about representing, learning, and growing together.
• Please note that being an EJP Alumni Fellow will typically involve speaking on issues related to incarceration, higher ed in prison, and reentry. We know that each of us is defined by more than our time in prison. Individuals have rich lives, careers, family lives, sports, and so much more. However, EJP’s interest is in increasing the public’s critical understanding of prisons and imprisonment and for that reason we aim to create opportunities for alumni to speak to those topics. We realize this is not of interest to everyone or good for everyone. For instance, incarceration is traumatic. Talking about imprisonment can be re-traumatizing and triggering. We will aim to provide supportive spaces. Please consider whether you want to spend the next two years talking about your imprisonment and reentry. Also, please note that EJP will still continue to be in touch via email and still have events that everyone is invited to, even if you are not an Alumni Fellow.

How Can You Learn More?
Attend our two Zoom info sessions on 

Tuesday July 14, 2026, 5pm - 6pm

Possibly a second session later in July. 

You'll see what a typical Alumni Fellows meeting feels like and be able to ask current fellows about their experiences.

How Do I Apply?

Please complete this form and submit a cover letter and resume.

The form asks you to explain why you want to become an EJP Alumni Fellow and to confirm that you expect to have time in your schedule to participate in the activities outlined above. We don't expect every Alumni Fellow to attend all events and activities. There is room for flexibility. We know that people have full lives. Also, you do not have to have a lot of public speaking or leadership experience. We’re looking for individuals who want to learn and represent.

Here are some tips on writing a cover letter.

Sincerely,

The Current EJP Alumni Fellows

Erick, Happy, Emmett, Steve, Spankey, Mike, Michael