By Miguel Leon

The Michelson 20MM Foundation proudly sponsored the 2025 Prison to University Conference. Mount San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) hosted the summit, which brought together nearly 300 practitioners, students, advocates, and allies. Attendees participated in a day of plenary discussions and break out sessions that highlighted the transformative power of higher education in the lives of individuals impacted by the criminal justice system. 

President Martha Garcia, welcomed attendees and delivered a message of hope and inspiration. She underlined the importance of this community coming together to heal, share best practices, and advocate as one collective group, rooted in, and strengthened by the lived experience and wisdom of everyone in the room. Representatives of higher education in prison programs, as well as on campus reentry programs from throughout California, uplifted student-led efforts that have radically changed how all three of California’s higher education systems support this population. We are grateful for President Garcia, the California Community Colleges, Mt. SAC Rising Scholars, Underground Scholars, Project Rebound, and everyone else who created the space for this discussion.

The University of San Diego (USD), a Michelson 20MM Spark Grantee shared their Transfer Coalition Initiative (TCI). TCI focuses on increasing higher education retention and completion rates for individuals in prison and individuals being released from prison. Through the Spark Grant, USD created a streamlined regional network that includes over a dozen local higher educational institutions. They work together on an online regional toolkit that enhances integral resource and knowledge sharing among system-impacted students and all associated support staff. This effort has increased cross-collaboration, programming, and community-building events among schools and facilities in the region. 

The Michelson 20MM Foundation proudly underwrote the participation of three student fellows, each representing one of California’s higher education systems, in the planning committee for the Prison to University Conference. Christian Black (University of California system), Albert Bui (California State University system) and Dani K. Silva (California Community College system) were integral to the success of this effort and we appreciate their leadership. In addition, we’d like to thank and congratulate all the attendees and allies who courageously share their stories and remind us that higher education has the power to change lives.

About the Michelson 20MM Foundation

Michelson 20MM is a private, nonprofit foundation working toward equity for underserved and historically underrepresented communities by expanding access to educational and employment opportunities, increasing affordability of educational programs, and ensuring the necessary supports are in place for individuals to thrive. To do so, we work in the following verticals: Digital Equity, Intellectual Property, Smart Justice, Student Basic Needs, and Open Educational Resources (OER). Co-chaired and funded by Alya and Gary Michelson, Michelson 20MM is part of the Michelson Philanthropies network of foundations.