Mount Tamalpais College

MTC News

Operationalizing Transformation: Advancing the Goals of the San Quentin Transformation Initiative – a white paper by MTC President Jody Lewen

by

MTC President Jody Lewen recently authored a white paper entitled, Operationalizing Transformation: Advancing the Goals of the San Quentin Transformation Initiative. Following upon the report that was recently released on behalf of the Advisory Council of the San Quentin Transformation Initiative, of which Dr. Lewen served as a member, the document lays out a methodical approach for achieving the goals of the San Quentin Transformation Initiative. 

The paper also offers an alternative approach to the state of California’s current plan to invest up to $360 million in the demolition of an existing building at San Quentin and the construction of a new one in its place – instead proposing robust renovation and construction projects that would transform infrastructure across the entire prison.

The ideas presented here are solely the views, opinions, and recommendations of the author, not necessarily of other members of the Governor’s Advisory Council, or any other parties. 

Read Operationalizing Transformation here. 

Empowering Incarcerated Students: A Recap of the Pathways from Prison to Campus Workshop

by

In a recent workshop on designing pathways from prison to college, hosted by the Rising Scholars Network and featuring speakers from Mount Tamalpais  College.  The audience, which consisted of higher education professionals from California’s community colleges, gained valuable insights into supporting incarcerated students’ transition to higher education on the street.

Mount Tamalpais College, shared its innovative approaches to student support. Corey McNeil, Alumni Affairs Associate, emphasized the importance of community building and re-entry support through workshops, open mic events, and alumni engagement activities. Dr. Wendy Martinez and Dr. Kirsten Pickering provided expertise on student services and research on alumni outcomes.

Throughout the workshop, the focus remained on humanizing the reintegration process and providing ongoing support to students post-release. 

Participants discussed the significance of evaluating and improving programs and the value of partnerships with community-based organizations like Bonafide Life to address students’ diverse needs.

An interesting topic of discussion was the potential for collaboration with parole officers to provide workshops on reintegration, highlighting the importance of breaking down barriers between academic institutions and correctional agencies.

We hope that participants were inspired by Mount Tamalpais  College’s collaborative and innovative approach to supporting incarcerated students. We’re grateful to have had the opportunity to speak with a dedicated community of individuals who recognize the transformative impact of education in empowering individuals seeking a second chance.

You can watch the full recording of the presentation here. 

MTC Hosts First-Ever Research Showcase

by

After months of preparation and planning on the part of MTC students, staff, and faculty, in December 2023 the College hosted its first-ever Research Showcase, which brought the college community together for four days of activities that celebrated research on and around MTC’s campus.

This series of events was a celebration of research itself, of MTC’s new research capabilities, and most of all, of MTC’s student researchers, whose projects in 2023 spanned such topics as code-switching in prison, the production of spider web protein via DNA-altered goats, and data on incarcerated runners, to name only a few student poster session presentations. The Showcase also featured a keynote address by Professor Darrick Smith, of the University of San Francisco; a faculty panel including topics ranging from tardigrades to Okinawan identity to Nietzsche; and a day of research skills workshops.

The Showcase was a culminating moment in MTC’s broader mission to elevate the voices of the incarcerated, starting with the core courses that lead to the AA degree: writing courses develop critical thinking skills, the capacity to formulate original standpoints, and the ability to express oneself to a range of audiences; mathematics courses equip students with the skills to understand complex systems, problem-solving, and data analysis; courses in science, the social sciences, and the humanities open up entire bodies of knowledge, foster curiosity, develop analytical skills, and expand world views and understanding. Throughout the degree, MTC students learn to develop questions, substantiate claims, and rigorously analyze course content, to refine and strengthen their assertions.

For many years, one of the key missing pieces in supporting students’ development of rigorous independent thought, critical thinking, and persuasive expression was in the area of research: until 2021, MTC was unable to provide students access to computers, and physical library materials were similarly scarce. Students chiefly relied on volunteer research faculty to research on students’ behalf. In 2021 MTC was finally able to establish a computer lab at San Quentin; since that time, we have been continually adding resources that enable students to carry out their research. 

Independent research is a hallmark of creativity and free thought: the researcher can shape their inquiry, delve into their areas of interest and insight, and actively contribute to contemporary debates. When entire segments of society are not able to freely access and contribute to the production of knowledge, not only do would-be researchers suffer, but so too does the shape of knowledge itself. On so many levels, American society has a profound amount to learn from those it incarcerates; it is to the benefit of both those individuals and the society at large that incarcerated people have access to the finest opportunities to develop their critical thinking, research, and communication skills. MTC is honored and proud to facilitate these advances. 

Thank you to everyone who made the Research Showcase a success! 

Mount Tamalpais College hosts its first International Film Festival

by

This past December, Mount Tamalpais College hosted our first International Film Festival inside San Quentin. The festival focused on screening movies made by, or featuring, people with disabilities and took place over five days. There were films from the United States, Malawi, Egypt, and India, to name a few, and over 100 students came to the film festival. 

The festival began on Thursday with a screening of Crip Camp, which tells the story of a groundbreaking summer camp for teens with disabilities. The camp proves to be so inspiring that a group of its alumni join the radical disability rights movement to advocate for historic legislation changes. This event was presented in partnership with California Humanities, with support from the National Endowment for the Arts. After the screening, there was a panel discussion with the producers of Crip Camp and team members from Cal Humanities.

The fourth day of the festival featured a marathon of short films from Honduras, the United Kingdom, Australia, Colombia, Myanmar, Japan, and Latvia! The films were presented in partnership with Superfest which is the longest-running disability film festival in the world. Since it first debuted in a small Los Angeles showcase in 1970 it has become an eagerly anticipated international event—hosted by Paul K. Longmore Institute on Disability at San Francisco State. It was a huge honor to be able to have the Director of the Superfest Disability Film Festival, Emily Smith Beitiks, join us afterward for a discussion. 

Our International Film Festival concluded with a screening of Friendly Signs, a short documentary written, directed, and produced by MTC alumnus Rahsaan “New York” Thomas, while he was at San Quentin. The film follows MTC student Tommy Wickerd as he decides to try to make San Quentin a friendly space by teaching sign language to anyone who wants to learn (including the correction officers) and documents the struggles he faces while trying to get a class started in a prison. We are so proud of Tommy and Rahsaan’s work!

Thank you to Rosen Bien Galvan & Grunfeld LLP for sponsoring MTC’s first International Film Festival and making it a resounding success. Your support has played a crucial role in bringing diverse and compelling cinematic experiences to the San Quentin community and we are so grateful for your partnership!

Mental Wellness: Insights from Mount Tamalpais College Alumni Conversations

by

Mount Tamalpais College recently hosted its second Alumni Conversations event on October 27th, delving deep into the complex realm of mental health before and after incarceration. Led by the insightful facilitation of Dr. Jenny Espionza-Marcus, MD, the event brought together Alumni Bonaru Richardson, Aly Tambora, and Eddie Herena, who openly shared their journeys and shed light on the challenges of mental health in the prison system and during the critical phase of reentry.

The conversation begins with the profound acknowledgment from Dr. Espionza-Marcus, emphasizing the importance of understanding mental health as a spectrum of general wellness. The panelists then opened up about their childhood experiences, providing a glimpse into the barriers they’ve created, and encountered and the environments that shaped their mental well-being.

Bonaru shared the tale of his upbringing marked by violence, poverty, and race. Running away when he was four years old, Bonaru witnessed his mother’s abuse, he internalized a lack of confidence in education, leading to a downward spiral. Aly, though initially from a rural area filled his childhood with joyful activities, but later faced the challenges of racial differences as he got older. Eddie, reflecting on his carefree early years, began questioning his mental well-being as he grew older, recognizing self-imposed barriers that hindered his progress.

The discussion then steered toward the inadequacies of mental health support within prison walls. Aly highlighted the emotional struggles faced during incarceration, emphasizing the inability to express grief to the corrections staff, a sentiment echoed by many incarcerated individuals. “I remember losing loved ones, and I’m not going to go to correction’s staff and tell them how I’m feeling about losing one of my loved ones.” Aly instead, expressed that he would turn to “my friends inside” as they were the ones who truly understood what he was going through. Building a community is essential for mental well-being among alumni.

The conversation then rotated to the transformative power of education within the classroom setting. Eddie shared how college programs became a lifeline, fostering a supportive community that helped him break free from the cycle of prison culture. “I really didn’t know Eddie until I was in the classroom with him,” Aly shared, emphasizing how education provided a path to self-improvement, enabling individuals to focus on personal growth and escape the negative aspects of prison life with like-minded people. Bonaru echoed these sentiments, underscoring the power of community expressing that Kenyatta Leal, another Mount Tamalpais College alumni, helped him and many others get into educational programs that not only challenged them intellectually but also connected them with compatible individuals, fostering personal growth and mental well-being.

However, as the alumni pointed out, the challenges persisted during reentry. Finding employment and reestablishing family connections emerged as daunting tasks. The strain on family relationships, combined with the overwhelming demands of employment, posed significant mental health challenges. The discussion highlighted the need for comprehensive support systems, not only focusing on practical aspects but also addressing emotional and mental well-being.

This Alumni Conversation offered profound insights into the intricate confusion of mental health within and after incarceration. The stories shared by the alumni emphasized the importance of understanding mental health as a holistic journey, shaped by early experiences, environments, and the challenges of everyday living. The event served as a poignant reminder of the need for empathetic support systems, destigmatizing mental health, and fostering communities like MTC that uplift individuals on their journey toward mental wellness.

You can watch the full conversation here. 

Read our 2022-2023 Annual Report 

by

We’re pleased to share our latest Annual Report, which looks back on a remarkable 2022-2023 academic year. 

In addition to serving as a snapshot of our 2022 finances and recognizing the college’s many supporters, the report highlights exciting new developments in our computer lab and information technology, features on student-led research and new support services, and a photo essay profiling dozens of MTC alumni who are living full and meaningful lives on the outside. 

We hope the report offers you a substantive glimpse into the brilliance, productivity, and generosity of the Mount Tamalpais College community, and allows you to imagine the vast potential landscape of what’s next for our college at San Quentin. 

Read the report here. 

Meet MTC’s Newest Clerk, Charles Crowe

by

This August MTC welcomed the newest Program Clerk to our team, Charles Crowe. Crowe has been an MTC student for the last four years and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences. Before starting as a Program Clerk with MTC, Crowe worked as a Senior Editor and Staff Writer with San Quentin News where he wrote stories about the importance of the language used to humanize incarcerated people and grandparenting from prison. He is still involved with San Quentin News when he’s not busy assisting MTC.

Crowe calls himself a “lifetime learner” and has been teaching himself Spanish for the last 10 years by reading various grammar and vocabulary books and practice workbooks. It’s no surprise that the Spanish classes he’s taken with MTC have been his favorite. This fall semester, he is a Teaching Assistant for Spanish 101. Crowe is an advocate for the transformative power of education. He firmly believes in the profound impact it can have on an individual’s life, both in and out of prison. Crowe is driven by the belief that education can be a catalyst for positive change, not only for personal growth but also contributing to reducing recidivism rates. 

Crowe and the other MTC Program Clerk, Carl Raybon, support the day-to-day functioning of our college inside San Quentin to ensure everything runs smoothly. Some of their responsibilities include assisting with student registration and enrollment each semester, tracking student requests, and distributing student mailings. A large portion of their daily work is ensuring that faculty have all the materials they need for each class. Because we are limited to what we can bring in and out of the prison, a large portion of our Program Clerk’s role is to photocopy course readings and assemble course boxes, which is where our faculty keep all the materials needed for their class. Our college program would not be able to run as smoothly as it does without our Program Clerks. 

Welcome to the team, Crowe!

An Interview with Director of Library Services and Educational Technology, Amy Brunson

by

Last semester, Mount Tamalpais College created a Computer Lab for its students inside San Quentin State Prison. The lab is in Education’s B­ building, a field house-type structure with a distinctive red roof that is behind a gate inside of the gate that separates Education from the yard.

In February 2023, MTC loaned its English 204 students their own personal laptops complete with a mouse, charger, and backpack as a carrying case. This was the first time students had been granted access to a personal laptop in their cells. 

“Surprise!” our English 204 instructor Leasa Graves said as Amy Brunson, Director of Library Services and Educational Technology for MTC, came through the door with Dell laptops. Each laptop came in a cloth backpack, which we were being given for the semester. After a few technical and logistical delays, this was MTC’s first delivery of 12 laptops. 

Amy talked to us about several aspects of how to use the laptops now and as the range of available information expands. At one point, she told us, “You’re not going to get in trouble if it breaks.” This statement came in that classic MTC way, with understanding and care for our position as prisoners who have a fear of getting into trouble for anything that goes wrong.

This is just a reality of being a student inside a prison. I immediately thought about being “pulled over” (stopped by a correctional officer, put up against a wall, and searched) and questioned about where the hell I got a backpack and laptop from. Years in prison ingrains that kind of fear in you even when a positive development occurs.

Amy reminds us of the value of this access. “(Technology) is just a really important piece of functioning as a human being in this day and age,” she said. It is extremely important to have access, leave here and succeed, and fulfill educational goals. Technology opens up a whole world of information…than you would have known otherwise.”

A prison is a place where some people have never used a computer or an iPhone. Some have never even used flip phones, which for those who do not know, were a thing 15 years ago. So, yeah, this is big.

For me, the happiness and joy and humanity of feeling like a normal student and person is unmistakable. How it felt to be on a laptop doing my homework in that A-4 classroom in the Education building on the Lower Yard at San Quentin, then anywhere else I wanted, was what people call surreal. This all means so much to a life-long learner and dedicated writer. I am so grateful.

At the same time, MTC has only helped to feed and develop my critical thinking and inquisitiveness. As I questioned the system within myself, I thought, “This positivity is meager, it is only a reflection of the depth of the deprivation of my humanity by the system that does not care about me, that possession of an electronic device only feels like having humanity again.”

With the Computer lab, MTC has provided a space for students to prepare for life after being released, and to get simple life skills that the prison system does not provide such as looking up information, which can lead to being able to do basic tasks like online banking and using an Uber.

Independence for us means being able to do these things without having to ask a family member for help to do it. These skills represent self-sufficiency and pride in managing one’s own life.

I decided to interview Amy Brunson, MTC’s Director of Library Services and Educational Technology, on the Computer Lab, the Laptop Program, us, and herself.

Why is it important for the incarcerated to have greater access to technology?

Technology is such a huge part of our modern world. We use technology in our professional lives, in education, and in our personal lives. It’s just a really important piece of functioning as a human being in this day and age. It is extremely important to have access [to technology here,] to leave here and succeed, but also to fulfill educational goals. Technology opens up a whole world of information when you know how to use it than you would have known otherwise.

When our students learn how to use Arcaid (the CDCR-provided website database for reentry services), when they learn they can look up resources for themselves, they are able to plan for Reentry better. I’ve seen students find housing options like transitional housing that they did not know existed.

Why did you come up with a course curriculum for Computer Literacy (the 7 modules)?

MTC Volunteer Newton Xie created the first 5 modules before I got here. MTC’s Senior Researcher for Policy and Practice, Kirsten Pickering, was also involved [in the creation of the modules] and I created one. It was straightforward to identify what content needed to be created for the modules because there is such a limited amount of programs on the laptops, like Google Chrome and Microsoft Office­ there are 5 things available. We didn’t initially have a PowerPoint or Excel module, so Newton created PowerPoint and I created Excel.

Why do you think they have been such a success in engaging the students?

For one, students who are new to using computers, or haven’t in a long time, may go to the lab and not know where to start. They may not be comfortable asking the inside or outside lab assistants for help, so the modules give students a way to learn independently and the modules just guide the students through the basics of learning how to use the computer. The modules are also more popular in part because of the snazzy certificates and chronos earned once they complete all the modules.

How have the Computer Lab and the Laptop program impacted the students? Do you have any experiences or stories about this?

I have noticed that it has been busier this semester. There was a lot of excitement when it first opened, but then things died down a bit. It was not as busy last spring. This semester it’s picked up more. It’s really nice that we’ve moved into a larger space (B-Building), we are trying to create a welcoming space that is comfortable where they can learn with their peers. I’ve noticed that people are helping each other out, when someone doesn’t know how to do something there’s always someone willing to step in and help out. It’s a very collaborative environment. 

We started using Canvas [the CDCR-approved website which is a learning management system] this semester and we are going to be implementing it in more and more classes in future semesters. It was hard for some students to get used to. I have seen several examples of classmates showing each other how to use Canvas to submit assignments or how to read and post on the discussion boards.

I’ve had different conversations (about the impact of the computer lab) that blend together. Several students have told me that their grandkids would be proud of them because they (the grandkids) are on the internet and Facebook and they feel like they can be part of their world now that they can practice using a computer for the first time.

A person was able to look up transitional housing that is LGBTQ+ friendly. She told me that she didn’t think she’d be able to find one that would take her. The first time she got on Arcaid (a CDCR pre­ approved website) she found 10 or 20 places that would take her. So that was cool and nice to see. On the outside, we can Google anything and can find any specific resource that we need and here, you all are not able to do that. It’s nice to see people accessing resources that are inclusive of more people’s needs.

It’s been really great to see the Peer Lab assistants take a lot of initiative and responsibility for the computer lab space and the curriculum as well. Since we’ve had the Canvas course, some student assistants are developing and leading their own workshops…has allowed a lot more communication and collaboration between the peer assistants to solve problems together. A lot of times it’s a problem that I did not know how to solve (like technical laptop issues). Even though I am in charge, you all are the backbone of this operation.

How has the Computer Lab, laptop program, and your own work impacted YOU?

I never feel like I’m doing enough. There’s just so much room for growth and so much progress that needs to be made, but this is an environment where things move really slowly and it takes a lot of effort to change things. It is really exciting every time that something new happens like if we are able to get a new website approved or a new workshop or even when we got the new mice for the laptops.

Everything like that feels great, it’s nice to see how much people in here appreciate it, but every time something like that happens, I remember how much needs to be done.

WHY?

I don’t know why, it is just something that needs to be done. When I started working in jail (libraries), it was just work that needs to be done. There is just so much misinformation in the public about who is in prison, why they’re in prison, and what it’s like in prison, I just feel like the world needs more people who are willing to work in that environment in a way that brings about positive change. It’s something I’ve been passionate about for a  while.

One time, I had a fortune teller tell me that my great-uncle was my guardian angel. He was in prison for my whole childhood until I was 12 or 13. He was a weird guy, and not a lot of people understood him. He and I got to know each other after he got out and we became pretty close. We only had a few years together and he passed away when I was 15 or 16. I always felt like he was a special part of my life. So maybe he’s influencing my desire to work in prisons. Uncle Mike.

What have you learned from doing this work? 

It’s interesting; I think that doing this (work) has made me a better communicator in conversation. I’ve noticed so many of our students have a very mature, clear, insightful way of speaking that’s really emotionally intelligent, and that made an impact on me. It also made me realize how much self-work you all do here with all of the self-help and groups and counseling and what you all are involved in. You all are doing so much more work than people on the outside do. It made me want to work on myself and makes me want to be more self-aware and direct. 

In my experience in this place, it does not get better than that.

Mount Tamalpais College Alumni Picnic Brings Joyful Reunion

by

On the morning of August 26, alumni of Mount Tamalpais College gathered at Marina Park in San Leandro for a heartwarming reunion filled with food, laughter, and meaningful conversations. Despite the initial gloomy weather, the day brightened up as more cheerful faces arrived.

The event’s organizers, Alumni Affairs Associate Corey McNeil and Office Manager Dmitry Orlov arrived early to set up tables, chairs, and a delectable spread of food, ensuring everything was perfect for the gathering. They were soon joined by a diverse group of MTC alumni who brought along their families and friends. MTC faculty and staff also graced the occasion, some bringing their beloved four-legged companions.

Corey McNeil first came up with the idea for the Alumni Picnic with a heartfelt purpose.  “I aimed to extend the sense of community that was formed during our time as students, or in some cases, during incarceration,” he explained. “Additionally, we wanted to celebrate each other’s achievements since our release.”

The smiles and laughter exchanged among the attendees served as a poignant reminder of the support network they had leaned on during their academic pursuits. Amidst the camaraderie, there were some notable moments at the picnic: Zakee Hutchison, relapsing in his addiction to chess, attended the picnic with his fiancée, Chantel. He wasted no time and headed straight for the chessboard, engaging in a strategic battle with his long-time rival, Raphael Calix. However, Zakee soon found himself in a challenging match against a tenacious 7-year-old opponent.

Zakee looks as Raphael makes his move
Zakee tries the same move he just learned

Eddie Herena, an MTC graduate from the class of 2010, proudly introduced his lovely daughter Adeline and wonderful fiancée Jessica. Despite his busy schedule working at Pilot, Eddie emphasized the importance of cherishing his freedom.

Eddie Herena’s daughter Adeline
Eddie Herena, John Neblett and Ruben Ramirez

The transformation of Randy Akins was a topic of discussion. From facing a life sentence to becoming a source of help and support, Randy attributed part of his remarkable journey to his mentor, David Cowan, who taught him how to drive and helped him obtain his driver’s license upon release. In summary, the Mount Tamalpais College Alumni Picnic was a heartwarming and successful event that rekindled the bonds of friendship and support among alumni, faculty, and staff. It provided a platform for reconnecting and celebrating the diverse paths that alumni have embarked upon since their time at MTC. Thank you to all who joined us!

Photos courtesy of Macy Bartlett

MTC Begins an Exciting Partnership with San Quentin TV

by

In June of 2023, MTC began partnering with San Quentin TV (SQTV) to provide educational programming on the televisions in San Quentin. The idea arose from student requests during COVID lockdowns. Students were eager to find ways to continue learning and connecting with the college when classes were canceled, and television programming seemed like a good opportunity to allow for this continued learning. The programming is also not limited to just MTC students; Correctional Officers and non-students can watch the videos on any of the many TVs throughout the prison. 

There are 15 different themes, each of which is presented in partnership with another organization or local business. Themes last for anywhere between three and six weeks, and include Yoga with the Mandela Yoga Project, Business Ethics with San Francisco State University’s Center for Ethical And Sustainable Business, On Writing with Green Apple Books, and Afrofuturism and Ancient Egypt with UC Berkeley. 

Our hope is that this partnership with SQTV will help create a wider college culture that extends beyond the Education Building in San Quentin. TVs are found throughout the housing units, which make up a substantial portion of the prison and are an area we have extremely limited access to. We believe this programming is a way to foster educational discussions beyond our “campus” and allow students and other individuals at San Quentin to have access to educational material and it will spur engaged conversations.

The current partnership between MTC and SQTV will go until March 2024, at which point we will host a discussion forum with students to learn what they thought of the programming. We will discuss how they engaged with the programs, if there was a theme they wanted more content on, if there are themes they are interested in that we did not include, and if there is anything about the program they want to change. We are looking forward to hearing their feedback and hopefully continuing to provide educational programming in partnership with SQTV.

This is where the wider MTC community comes in: if there are any models of successful educational TV programs you have seen that you would like to bring to our attention, please reach out! We’d also love to know if you have any open-source or open-access materials you would like to share with us. Please email our Dean of Academic Administration, Nandita Dinesh, at ndinesh@mttamcollege.edu.