Jim Verhoye grew up in San Diego, CA where he completed a BA and MA in Communication Studies at San Diego State University. He subsequently completed a PhD in Communication Stud­ies at the University of Minnesota. Over the course of twenty years Jim has worked in five Minnesota state prisons as a college teacher and Education Director, during which time he also served as the president of the Minnesota chapter of the Correctional Education Association for two years. Before joining Amend Jim was a consultant for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System Office providing technical assistance for educational and reentry services within Minnesota corrections.