Together We Climb: Celebrating 30 Years

Mount Tamalpais College and President Jody Lewen invite you to join alumni, faculty, staff, and friends on Saturday, April 18 in San Francisco for a gala celebrating 30 years of teaching, learning, and transformation at San Quentin. Together, we will reflect on the College’s history, honor the people who have built this community, and support the future of higher education at San Quentin.

Tickets and sponsorships are now available!

A 30-year Commitment to Education

The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 bars people in prison in the U.S from receiving Pell Grants. As a result, the number of prison higher education programs nationally drops from several hundred to fewer than ten.

Patten College, based in Oakland, CA, together with an education administrator at San Quentin and a faculty member from UC Davis, launch a small Associate of Arts degree program at San Quentin (read more).

Without a budget, the program relies entirely on volunteer faculty, Patten’s uncompensated administrative services, and donated supplies. For 20 years, it remains the only on-site degree-granting program in a California prison.

The first student from the College Program is awarded an Associate of Arts degree.

After serving for one year as a volunteer, Jody Lewen takes over as Director of the College Program at San Quentin.

The Prison University Project is founded as a fiscally-sponsored project of the Tides Center.

The Prison University Project receives a transformational $250,000 grant from the Sunshine Lady Foundation and is incorporated as an independent 501(c)(3).

By 2007, as a result of increased support from San Quentin staff and access to more resources, supplies, classroom space, and instructional time, the College Program’s educational offerings have significantly expanded.

After Patten is acquired by a for-profit, online college, the Prison University Project begins to explore other college partners, as well as the prospect of becoming independent.

The Prison University Project is awarded the National Humanities Medal by President Barack Obama.

The Prison University Project completes its name change and officially becomes Mount Tamalpais College.

In response to the COVID-19 crisis, MTC delivers care packages and other critical supplies to every person incarcerated within CDCR—over 100,000 people—as well as food trucks for prison staff at every institution in CA.

Mount Tamalpais College achieves accreditation by Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) as an independent liberal arts college.

Mount Tamalpais College awards its first diplomas as an independent college to 20 graduates at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center.

MTC President Jody Lewen is awarded the McGraw Prize—a prestigious national award that recognizes individuals whose innovative accomplishments make a difference in the lives of students.

Mount Tamalpais College celebrates 30 years of teaching, learning, and transformation at San Quentin.