On Wednesday, June 1, 2022 Mercy College conferred a total of 40 bachelor of science and associate of science degrees to graduates of the Hudson Link for Higher Education program situated at Sing Sing Correctional Facility in Ossining, New York. Since the inception of the program, Mercy has awarded more than 300 degrees.
This is the first- time graduation was held since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Twelve students received Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Science degrees and 28 received Associate of Science in Liberal Arts degrees, all conferred by Mercy College President Timothy Hall. The commencement address was delivered by Jesse Williams, actor and activist.
“We are proud of our ongoing partnership with Hudson Link for Higher Education,” said Timothy Hall, President of Mercy College. “Mercy is committed to providing resources for students to succeed, no matter one’s circumstances and our graduates today have demonstrated what it takes to create a better future for themselves.”
Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison was formed in January of 1998 to help restore college education in prison. The organization helps provide college education, life skills, and reentry support to currently and formerly incarcerated people. Their holistic program structure follows each student through their academic and reentry journey with services such as college readiness support, on-site academic coordinators, tutoring, and computer labs.
Mercy College’s partnership with Hudson Link began in 2001, and Mercy’s first graduating class received its degrees in 2004.
Sean Pica, Executive Director of Hudson Link for Higher Education added: “Mercy College has been instrumental in providing academically rigorous undergraduate education to our students and we are thankful to have them as partners as we do this difficult but incredibly rewarding work together. Our students have overcome seemingly impossible odds, especially throughout the pandemic, to reach this milestone and we could not be prouder of each and every one of them.”