President Obama awards the Prison University Project the National Humanities Medal.
Prison University Project staff begin to explore other college partners, as well as the feasibility of pursuing independence, after Patten University is acquired by UniversityNow.
The Prison University Project receives a major grant from the Sunshine Lady Foundation and is incorporated as an independent 501(c)3.
Oakland’s Patten University helps launch the College Program—together with an education administrator at San Quentin, a volunteer coordinator from UC Davis, and no budget. For 20 years, it remains the only on-site degree-granting program in a California prison.
The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act is passed. As a result, the number of prison higher-ed programs nationally drops from over 300 to fewer than ten.
The Prison University Project is founded as a fiscally-sponsored project of the Tides Center.
After serving four years as a volunteer, Jody Lewen takes over as Director of the College Program.
The first student from the College Program is awarded the Associate of Arts degree.
In June, the first official Mount Tamalpais College diplomas are awarded to 20 graduates at San Quentin.
