College Newsmakers

Cohen Shares Service Learning Expertise

February 14, 2012

Music Education Assistant Professor Mary Cohen stepped into new technology when she delivered a webinar to four different university audiences in February.

Cohen is recognized as a leader in the field of bridging community and prison populations through music.

Cohen says research indicates music programs provide a means for people in prison to redefine themselves positively and teaches them skills of teamwork, patience, how to live and work with others, and provides opportunities for self-expression and release of tension.

“I hope people will think more critically about the purposes of prisons, and consider the current and potential value that arts-based programming, especially music programs, have in prison contexts,” she said. “Promising possibilities include a broadened perception of people in prison and the need to rethink and change current imprisonment practices.”