Interview With Scott Holman
Scott Holman discovered he had a passion he didn’t know he had when he accepted the offer of teaching the extended studies program with Adam’s State University. Holman accepted a rare opportunity to help prisoners earn college degrees through a unique correspondence program. ASU is located in Alamosa, Colorado where Holman graduated with a BA in English in 1996.
It is unusual to qualify for teaching upper division literature courses without a PHD. Holman came into program with a MA in Literature he earned at Colorado State University. Even without a PHD Holman’s resume was not too shabby, with 20th Century American Fiction, Ethic Minority Literature, American Literature One and Two, and Intro to Literature already under his belt. Candidates with PHDs didn’t have time, so Holman jumped at the opportunity. He doesn’t regret a minute of his experience teaching literature for the extended studies program because it has opened many doors not only for his resume, but for his incarcerated students as well.
Holman is currently teaching English 365-Ethnic and Minority Literature through the extended studies program. He believes teaching to prisoners is an honor because it is a privilege for students to participate. Through the extended studies program inmates can go as far as earning a BA, which significantly increases their chances of getting a job when they are released.
Holman regards his incarcerated students as being exceptional because they have the time to focus their energy on the works of literature. Analyses of literalities are extremely defined and time in prison gives them time to look at them in depth.
