Jody Lewen, 2024 Prize Winner

Dr. Jody Lewen, an inspiring educator and visionary leader, has dedicated over two decades to transforming higher education in prisons. As the founder and president of Mount Tamalpais College, she has pioneered rigorous academic programs within San Quentin State Prison, offering hundreds of incarcerated individuals access to a liberal arts Associate of Arts degree, as well as intensive college preparatory programs, and student support services.

Starting in 1999 as a volunteer instructor in the San Quentin college program (then an extension site), Dr. Lewen quickly recognized the transformative power of higher education in prison. In 2003, in order to provide the program with material and financial support, she founded the Prison University Project (PUP).

Over the ensuing decades, PUP continued to evolve and expand into one of the largest and most respected prison higher education programs in the country. In 2018, after extensive deliberation and planning, PUP embarked on the process of becoming an independent college. In 2022, MTC achieved Initial Accreditation, and awarded its first diplomas in 2023.

In addition to its liberal arts curriculum and college preparatory programs, Mount Tamalpais College provides comprehensive individualized academic advising and support, particularly for students with learning challenges. In keeping with MTC's unique model, which centers both academic rigor and inclusivity, the college charges no fees or tuition, and all school supplies and textbooks are provided free of charge. MTC also receives no state or federal funding, which allows the college to remain innovative, agile, and laser-focused on the needs of its incarcerated students.

Beyond San Quentin, Dr. Lewen mentors Mount Tamalpais College alumni who have been released from prison, many of whom continue their studies and often pursue careers within community-based organizations dedicated to serving others.

Dr. Lewen is also a co-founder of the Alliance for Higher Education in Prison, a national network supporting education for incarcerated students. She serves as a trusted advisor to policymakers and has provided consulting to dozens of prison education programs nationwide. Her work has earned her a place on California Governor Gavin Newsom’s San Quentin Transformation Advisory Council, where she leads the subcommittee on prison staff development and wellness.

Dr. Lewen’s unwavering commitment to higher education, innovative leadership, and advocacy for lifelong learning makes her a trailblazer in prison education, inspiring students, faculty, and policymakers alike.