Impact

For 30 years, Mount Tamalpais College (MTC) has brought rigorous, in-person liberal arts education to students at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center. As the nation’s only independent liberal arts college with its main campus inside a prison, MTC offers students the opportunity to study, think critically, build confidence, and work toward an Associate of Arts degree.

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BY THE NUMBERS
350
STUDENTS
Each year, approximately 350 students participate in Mount Tamalpais College courses.
4,300
STUDENTS
Since 1996, over four thousand students have taken at least one course with us at San Quentin.
18%
OF RESIDENTS
Nearly one in five people incarcerated at San Quentin in 2025 participated in MTC college courses.

Your Support Fuels Life-Changing Opportunity

Mount Tamalpais College is funded entirely through private donations. Every course, textbook, advising session, and extracurricular is made possible by people who believe everyone should have access to rigorous higher education, and the opportunity to develop their full human potential.

%
Tuition Coverage

Your gift allows us to provide a tuition-free education for students.

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Volunteers in 2024-25

MTC is powered by a dedicated community of volunteer educators.

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Interested in teaching with us?

Each semester, over 100 people affiliated with institutions such as UC Berkeley, San Francisco State, and Stanford University volunteer as instructors, teaching assistants, tutors, and guest lecturers at Mount Tamalpais College.

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A 30-Year Commitment to Education

1994
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.
1994

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.

1996
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).
1996

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.

1999
The first student from the College Program is awarded an Associate of Arts degree.
1999

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

2000
After serving for one year as a volunteer, Jody Lewen takes over as Director of the College Program at San Quentin.
2000

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

2003
The Prison University Project is founded as a fiscally-sponsored project of the Tides Center.
2003

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

2006
The Prison University Project receives a transformational $250,000 grant from the Sunshine Lady Foundation and is incorporated as an independent 501(c)(3).
2006

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

2007
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.
2007

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.

2014
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.
2014

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.

2015
The Prison University Project is awarded the National Humanities Medal by President Barack Obama.
2015

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

2020
The Prison University Project completes its name change and officially becomes Mount Tamalpais College.
2020

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

2021
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.
2021

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.

2022
Mount Tamalpais College achieves accreditation by Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) as an independent liberal arts college.
2022

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

2023
Mount Tamalpais College awards its first diplomas as an independent college to 20 graduates at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center.
2023

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

2024
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.
2024

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.

2026
Mount Tamalpais College celebrates 30 years of teaching, learning, and transformation at San Quentin.
2026

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