Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison, in partnership with Mount Saint Mary College, hosted a joint commencement exercise for 12 students at Shawangunk Correctional Facility on Wednesday, June 17.
Hudson Link provides college education, life skills, and reentry support to incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals to help them make a positive impact on their lives, their families, and their communities. It also aims to lower rates of recidivism, incarceration, and poverty.
“My colleagues and I are excited to celebrate the…graduation of our Hudson Link students,” said Mike Daven, professor of Mathematics and Hudson Link Prison Initiative Academic Coordinator at the Mount. “Since Mount Saint Mary College joined this partnership in 2020, the program has grown tremendously; there are currently more than 40 students working toward their Bachelor of Arts degrees at the Mount. The college recognizes service to the community as a vital part of our mission, and we are thrilled to welcome these students as Mount alumni who are equipped to continue this tradition of service.”
The graduates expressed profound gratitude for the impact the program has had on their lives.
“The passion of these educators was contagious in a marvelous way, which helped us find our own true voices that would resonate not only in Shawangunk, but also in the many places we shall go to influence others,” said Ian R., a student speaker at the ceremony. “I leave with a vision to tear down walls of ignorance and prejudices that have hindered many from finding their life calling. I want to encourage others to dare to step out of darkness and into the light, to explore the many opportunities that become available when we choose to apply the power of education into our lives.”
The ceremony also featured guest speaker Steve Zeidman, Professor of Law at CUNY Law, who reinforced the significance of this academic achievement with a powerful metaphor: "As the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu says: 'The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,’” Zeidman shared. “And graduates, you’ve taken that first step with this degree – with many more impactful steps to come in your own personal journeys.”
Sean Pica, President of Hudson Link, celebrated the achievements of the graduates, highlighting the organization’s commitment to providing educational opportunities to those in the legal system.
“Our mission is to empower individuals through education, while fostering a sense of hope where it may have seemed lost,” he said. “These graduates are proof of what’s possible when you give someone a chance to better their circumstances, and we are proud to support their journeys.”