Bard Prison Initiative Students and First Full Class of Bard Microcollege Students Earn Degrees in Ceremonies this May
Graduates of BPI and BPI's innovative new project,
Bard Microcollege Holyoke, marched at Bard College's
159th Commencement on May 25. Photo by Douglas Baz
Bard Microcollege Holyoke, marched at Bard College's
159th Commencement on May 25. Photo by Douglas Baz
The Bard Prison Initiative recently celebrated the achievements of its students at graduations on the main Bard campus in Annandale-on-Hudson on May 25 and at Taconic Correctional Facility, a medium-security prison for women in Bedford Hills, New York, on May 29.
Two students who completed their studies while incarcerated and who had recently returned home from prison were awarded bachelor of arts degrees at the Bard College commencement. At the same ceremony, BPI’s innovative new project, Bard Microcollege Holyoke, celebrated its first full graduating class of 12 students with associate in arts degrees. Launched in partnership with The Care Center—a community-based organization that creates educational opportunity for women, especially young mothers—this pilot microcollege engages students in an ambitious tuition-free liberal arts degree program.
“Bard has always worked to find and support talented students who are excluded from or discouraged by other institutions of higher education,” said BPI Executive Director Max Kenner ’01. “BPI has done that for two decades within the New York State prison system, and we are now doing it outside of prison as well. Through partnerships with community-based institutions, the Bard Microcollege lowers operating costs, engages talented prospective students where they are, and reduces the financial and bureaucratic burdens that prevent many from enrolling and completing degrees.”
While only about 60 percent of AA candidates nationwide graduate within three years of starting their degree program, this first full cohort of Bard Microcollege students achieved a 100 percent graduation rate—a remarkable accomplishment for students, faculty, and Bard College. Graduates are continuing on to bachelor’s degree programs at Smith, Elms, Mount Holyoke, and Trinity Colleges.
At BPI’s 19th commencement ceremony at Taconic Correctional Facility, Bard College awarded associate in arts degrees to eight students. Commencement speaker Emily Tow, executive director and president of The Tow Foundation, was awarded the Bard Medal in recognition of her leadership in the reform of juvenile justice systems in Connecticut and New York and in the development of the catalytic power of philanthropy. Tow issued a challenge to the graduates: “No matter what led you to Taconic . . . you are the new leaders, mentors, and supporters of those who follow you in this community,” she said. “You are scholars. Use this experience to not only advance your own future, both within these walls and out in the world, but also to lead by example. Be a friend and a cheerleader and others will follow in your footsteps.”
Addressing those gathered under the tent, graduate Jasmine Milton ’19 said, “When I came to prison, I had this mindset that I was alone. . . . No one to rely on but myself. But that was not the truth. Standing here before you today, I can scream from the rooftops that I am a graduate of Bard College. That is what I want to be known as.”
About The Bard Prison Initiative
The Bard Prison Initiative (BPI) works to redefine the availability, affordability, and expectations typically associated with higher education in America.
For 20 years, BPI has created groundbreaking opportunities for college within America’s prison systems. These programs transform the negative impacts of criminal punishment and create radical inroads of access and opportunity to higher learning.
Today, BPI enrolls over 300 incarcerated students full-time in programs that culminate in degrees from Bard College; it offers extensive support for its alumni in and around New York City; and it has developed a nationwide network of leading universities and colleges to catalyze a transformation in the relationship between education and criminal justice in the United States. BPI’s newest initiative, the Bard Microcollege, expands yet further the scope and impact of this work, delivering high-quality liberal arts education to isolated communities outside of prison through partnerships with community-based institutions.
For more information about the Bard Prison Initiative, visit bpi.bard.edu, and follow us on social media: facebook.com/bpibard and on Instagram @bard_prison_initiative.
Post Date: 06-14-2019
Two students who completed their studies while incarcerated and who had recently returned home from prison were awarded bachelor of arts degrees at the Bard College commencement. At the same ceremony, BPI’s innovative new project, Bard Microcollege Holyoke, celebrated its first full graduating class of 12 students with associate in arts degrees. Launched in partnership with The Care Center—a community-based organization that creates educational opportunity for women, especially young mothers—this pilot microcollege engages students in an ambitious tuition-free liberal arts degree program.
“Bard has always worked to find and support talented students who are excluded from or discouraged by other institutions of higher education,” said BPI Executive Director Max Kenner ’01. “BPI has done that for two decades within the New York State prison system, and we are now doing it outside of prison as well. Through partnerships with community-based institutions, the Bard Microcollege lowers operating costs, engages talented prospective students where they are, and reduces the financial and bureaucratic burdens that prevent many from enrolling and completing degrees.”
While only about 60 percent of AA candidates nationwide graduate within three years of starting their degree program, this first full cohort of Bard Microcollege students achieved a 100 percent graduation rate—a remarkable accomplishment for students, faculty, and Bard College. Graduates are continuing on to bachelor’s degree programs at Smith, Elms, Mount Holyoke, and Trinity Colleges.
At BPI’s 19th commencement ceremony at Taconic Correctional Facility, Bard College awarded associate in arts degrees to eight students. Commencement speaker Emily Tow, executive director and president of The Tow Foundation, was awarded the Bard Medal in recognition of her leadership in the reform of juvenile justice systems in Connecticut and New York and in the development of the catalytic power of philanthropy. Tow issued a challenge to the graduates: “No matter what led you to Taconic . . . you are the new leaders, mentors, and supporters of those who follow you in this community,” she said. “You are scholars. Use this experience to not only advance your own future, both within these walls and out in the world, but also to lead by example. Be a friend and a cheerleader and others will follow in your footsteps.”
Addressing those gathered under the tent, graduate Jasmine Milton ’19 said, “When I came to prison, I had this mindset that I was alone. . . . No one to rely on but myself. But that was not the truth. Standing here before you today, I can scream from the rooftops that I am a graduate of Bard College. That is what I want to be known as.”
About The Bard Prison Initiative
The Bard Prison Initiative (BPI) works to redefine the availability, affordability, and expectations typically associated with higher education in America.
For 20 years, BPI has created groundbreaking opportunities for college within America’s prison systems. These programs transform the negative impacts of criminal punishment and create radical inroads of access and opportunity to higher learning.
Today, BPI enrolls over 300 incarcerated students full-time in programs that culminate in degrees from Bard College; it offers extensive support for its alumni in and around New York City; and it has developed a nationwide network of leading universities and colleges to catalyze a transformation in the relationship between education and criminal justice in the United States. BPI’s newest initiative, the Bard Microcollege, expands yet further the scope and impact of this work, delivering high-quality liberal arts education to isolated communities outside of prison through partnerships with community-based institutions.
For more information about the Bard Prison Initiative, visit bpi.bard.edu, and follow us on social media: facebook.com/bpibard and on Instagram @bard_prison_initiative.
Post Date: 06-14-2019