Cincy State provides IT training for River City Correctional Center

Academics, Community, Faculty & Staff, Success Stories

Apr 30, 2025

Bob Nields leads a class activity for students at River City Correctional Center

Residents at River City Correctional Center have been learning fundamentals of computer programming in a 10-week class taught by Bob Nields, Interim Associate Dean for the Engineering & Information Technologies Division, and Program Chair for Computer Programming and Database Management.

About 20 students participated in the Wednesday night class, a version of the 3-credit course IT 100, Computer Programming Foundations.

“The experience has been very special,” Bob said. “I didn’t know what to expect, but I found I’m just working with people who want help so they can move on with their lives after incarceration.”

The River City Correctional Center’s mission is to reduce recidivism (returning to prison) by “fostering changes in thinking and teaching both responsible decision-making and life skills to enable the residents to become productive members of society.”

Bob said most of the students don’t have a strong interest in computer programming, but “they work very hard and fill the class with energy.” He noted that about five students said they hope to attend Cincinnati State in the future.

Proud instructor and successful students from the Computer Programming Fundamentals class — **Proud instructor and successful students**

He added, “The class is all about problem-solving, and I have been modifying the material to make it more relatable to many other fields.”

Bob said a River City case worker shared that students appreciate his efforts to provide the class. “I think I’m getting more out of this experience than they are,” he added.

Bob thanked Math faculty member Nora Beckmann for helping to facilitate the connection between Cincinnati State and River City.

“It took several meetings to get the class organized, but I hope other faculty members will consider assisting with this rewarding form of outreach,” Bob said.

Cincinnati State has partnered with River City in the past, including a 9-week logistics training program, organized through the College’s Workforce Development Center, that led to jobs in warehouse/logistics facilities after the students were released from the correctional center.