Shannon Kramp of Campbellsville University named ACA Ledford Scholar for female inmate research project

by Scarlett Birge, student news writer, Office of University Communications

Campbellsville, KY (04/01/2020) — Shannon Kramp, a junior at Campbellsville University from Danville who is double majoring in psychology and criminal justice, has been announced as an Appalachian College Association (ACA) Ledford Scholar with Dr. Dale Wilson, director of criminal justice programs and associate professor, as her sponsor.

"We are thrilled to participate in the Ledford Scholar Program of the Appalachian College Association," Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of Campbellsville University, said.

Kramp has been awarded a stipend of up to $2,500 with reimbursement of up to $900 for her proposed research project.

"We knew we wanted to do a research project that focused on female inmates," Kramp said. "They're often called the forgotten offenders because they can't see their family as much as male inmates."

Kramp worked on a research study last spring focusing on learned helplessness in inmates. She volunteered to help Wilson and is now part of a team, including Wilson; Dr. Emily Hayden, assistant professor of criminal justice; and students Rebecca Satterly, a senior from Bardstown, Ky.; Taylor Elardo, a senior from Stockton, Calif.; and Jasmin Green, a senior from Radcliff, Ky., that will teach a program to women convicted of violent offences and incarcerated at the Kentucky Correctional Institution for Women (KCIW).

The program, called "Beyond Violence", is scheduled to start in June and will involve 20 weekly sessions. Pre-testing and post-testing on levels of anxiety, depression and anger will be used to assess its efficacy.

"The study has a great deal of potential to help us better understand the impacts of trauma on women who later commit acts of violence," said Wilson.

"The program's goal is to help prevent recidivism by the women. It gives women a therapeutic environment where they can talk about anything. It focuses on problem-solving, self-efficacy, self-image and empowerment," Kramp said.

Kramp plans to use her scholarship to help pay for law school as she is working to be a lawyer after she graduates.

Dr. Donna Hedgepath, provost and vice president for academic affairs, said, "Campbellsville University cultivates rich opportunities for undergraduate research, especially in our criminal justice program. We are proud of her accomplishment and being part of the Ledford Scholar Program. It is a unique honor."

The Ledford Scholarship, named for Col. Lee B. Ledford, offers financial assistance for summer research projects to undergraduate students enrolled at ACA member institutions.

The program provides stipends for students wishing to participate in undergraduate summer research at a rate of $10 an hour for up to 360 hours total.

"Shannon is an excellent student and a wonderful young lady. She is a great representative of Campbellsville University, and I look forward to working with her on this impactful research. She is very bright, inquisitive and is not intimidated by the prison research environment," Wilson said.

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 11,900 students offering over 100 programs of study including Ph.D., master, baccalaureate, associate, pre-professional and certification programs. The university has Kentucky based off-campus centers in Louisville, Harrodsburg, Somerset, Hodgenville and Liberty with instructional sites in Elizabethtown, Owensboro and Summersville. Out-of-state centers include two in California at Los Angeles and Lathrop, located in the San Francisco Bay region. The website for complete information is www.campbellsville.edu.

Campbellsville University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award certificates, associate, baccalaureate, masters and doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the status of Campbellsville University.