Resilience and mental toughness describe a dozen residents journeying to a higher education

To celebrate the accomplishments of higher education at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center, a large crowd of visitors gathered with residents at San Quentin’s Chapel B.

The Mount Tamalpais College 2025 Commencement celebrated a distinguished group of scholars. “We honor the dedication, resilience, and sustained commitment shown throughout your journey ― each step of leading to this significant achievement,” the MTC program reads. 

“The obstacles the students in here navigate to earn their degrees are so challenging and so hard to imagine,” said Kelly Smith, an MTC instructor.

The keynote speaker for this event was David Cowan, the founder and executive director of Bonafide, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping returning citizens. The former lifer used his experience to motivate others in the room. He completed an associate degree through the Prison University Project — the predecessor of MTC — and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Studies from San Francisco State University.

“I feel extremely honored and emotional to be around my people and proud of the graduates. To those who may be struggling academically, remember what it felt like to retain your hopes and remember what it took to prepare yourself, because you’re all going to need to draw from what you learned in here when you get out,” Cowan said in his speech.

“This is a powerful achievement,” said San Quentin Warden Chance Andes as he commended the graduates by recognizing the impact of higher education. He urged them to embrace this moment of a lifetime achievement. He said he loved the history of MTC and acknowledged the significance of having an on-site campus for residents.

Robert D. Barnes Jr., the 2025 valedictorian, reflected on his greatest challenge that occurred during the peak of the overcrowding at San Quentin. He specifically pointed out the pandemic. “I have newfound levels of resilience and mental toughness, [an] improved work ethic and academic achievement, compassion and empathy for others and myself, and a confidence that moving forward, I can excel as a lifelong learner.”

The Greater Good, a band of incarcerated musicians, provided a musical interlude for this special ceremony.

Family and friends witnessed their loved ones turning their tassels from left to right after receiving their diplomas, which made their higher education journey official. Thirteen residents graduated, including one absent graduate who had recently transferred to a reentry program.  

“I am very proud of him; it felt great to see him accomplish his goals and overcome all the obstacles against him,” said Rachel Muñoz, the niece of graduate Agustin Muñoz Espino, an immigrant graduate who beat the many challenges of English as a second language. “He is the first generation college graduate in our family.”

MTC Chief Academic Officer Amy Jamgochian, PhD, said she has the chance to know all the graduates during the beginning of their journeys with MTC, which makes the graduation very special. Jamgochian said she appreciated MTC staff for their hard work and for putting together such a complex event, which involved a lot of planning, and which, at the end, went beautifully. 

Gabriella Licata, a former instructor for MTC, said she felt honored to come back to celebrate the achievements of the graduates. She said education meant transformation, which seemed evident to her in this room on this day.

The impact of higher education changed perspectives and some of the graduates said they felt empowered by their achievements.

“One of my mother’s core values was education,” said Salutatorian Dennis D. Jefferson Jr. “When I was in junior high, my mother insisted that I catch a bus clear across Oakland to go to a  school an hour away. She would always say, ‘Den-Den, I just want you to go to a good school.’ After she passed away unexpectedly when I was 18, I began to prodigally squander her hopes for me away. But there is a proverb which says, ‘No matter how far you have gone on a wrong road, turn back.’ I’m at a good school now, Mom. Please rest in a proud peace.”

MTC president Dr. Jody Lewen asked the entire MTC faculty to stand and she thanked them for their work and dedication in helping the students to earn their degrees. The ceremony progressed with the graduates ascending the stage to receive their diplomas. Each one of them walked on stage in their caps and gowns, a rare moment inside prison walls.

“It’s amazing to see all the hard work that is being done in here and to be part of it,” said MTC instructor Erin Katz. “I feel that learning involves a lot of hard work, but over time, it seems beautiful to see the efforts that culminate in this event.”