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In a moving ceremony, 34 men at Sing Sing Correctional Facility in Ossining, New York celebrated their graduation from �鶹����.  On June 5, 2024, �鶹���� President Susan L. Parish, Ph.D., M.S.W., conferred Associate and Bachelor of Behavioral Science degrees to graduates of the Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison (Hudson Link) program. It was a proud moment for the graduates and their families, as well as for the faculty and staff who supported them throughout their journey.

“This program is special to Mercy because it manifests our belief that everyone deserves access to a high-quality education regardless of their background or circumstances,” said President Parish in her address to the graduates. “You have chosen to embrace the opportunity to better yourselves through education instead of being defined by your past. That is truly admirable.”

Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison was established in 1998 to address the lack of access to higher education for people during and after their involvement with the justice system. The organization helps provide college education, life skills, and reentry support to currently and formerly incarcerated people. Mercy’s partnership with Hudson Link began in 2001, and since then, Mercy has awarded more than 300 degrees to its graduates.

Stuart Sidle, dean of the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, which oversees Mercy’s bachelor's degree program at Sing Sing, spoke at the ceremony on the importance of optimism. Sidle said, "Observing the graduates' heartfelt gratitude toward their professors, classmates, and families who supported them is deeply moving. Equally inspiring is the hope they embody, showing how individuals can choose to learn, grow, and transform even in the darkest and most challenging circumstances."

For graduates like Nigel Thomas-Francis, 2024 class valedictorian, receiving his education has been life-changing. During his speech, he talked about how his courses in social and behavioral sciences have helped him to better understand his past decisions. “Using the knowledge that we’re acquiring, we’re bringing forth better versions of ourselves,” said Thomas-Francis.

This year, two graduates from the Class of 2024 were inducted into Phi Alpha Theta, the National History Honor Society for their academic achievement: Thomas-Francis and Nathaniel Arnold. Mercy associate professor of history, Dr. Robert Murray, who inducted them, explained that this it was no small feat to get into this prestigious national honor society.

This year’s ceremony also included a special recognition. Joel Jimenez, who received his associate and bachelor’s degrees at Sing Sing and is now Hudson Link’s program director, earned a master’s in business administration from �鶹���� this year. Instead of receiving his degree during Mercy’s commencement ceremony, he wanted to walk with his fellow graduates at the place where his life was transformed.

Many Hudson Link alumni choose to return to help other prisoners transform their lives, as advisors, mentors, and guest speakers. Like keynote speaker Kenyatta Hughes, who now works for Hudson Link and urged the Class of 2024 to support the next class who comes in so that they can graduate too and so on.

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