A Vision for the 21st Century University

Dr. Michael Carriere, professor and urban historian, will draw on his innovative work at the intersection of the liberal arts, engineering and prison education. Through MSOE’s partnership with the McNeely Prison Education Consortium (MPEC), Carriere teaches college-level courses at Racine Correctional Institution and Racine Youthful Offender Correctional Facility, including “Urban Ecology: A History,” providing incarcerated students the opportunity to earn college credit while exploring complex social, historical, and environmental issues.

His work reflects a broader vision for higher education in the 21st century, one that expands access to learning, fosters civic engagement and demonstrates how interdisciplinary approaches can address societal challenges both inside and outside traditional university settings.

Carriere’s lecture, “The Liberal Arts, Engineering and College-in-Prison: A Vision for the 21st Century University,” is free and open to the public. The discussion will take place Wednesday, Nov. 4, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Grohmann Museum, 1000 N. Broadway. Free parking is available on MSOE surface lots.

This program is part of the Down the Rabbit Hole Lecture Series, sponsored by MSOE’s Humanities, Social Science and Communication Department. Students, faculty and members of the community are invited to explore complex and thought-provoking topics that challenge conventional perspectives. Featuring engaging talks by MSOE faculty, the series is designed to spark curiosity, foster interdisciplinary dialogue, and encourage deeper inquiry into societal, cultural and historical issues. This initiative reflects the department’s commitment to cultivating critical thinking and intellectual exploration across the MSOE community.