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Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison Celebrates 38 Associate Degree Graduates at Shawangunk Correctional Facility
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Wallkill, NY - On May 20th, 2026, Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison, in partnership with SUNY Ulster Community College, hosted a graduation ceremony at Shawangunk Correctional Facility honoring 38 students who earned associate degrees through the college-in-prison program.

This year’s ceremony brought together graduates from the SUNY Ulster Community College at Shawangunk’s 2025 and 2026 classes, making it one of the largest graduating cohorts recognized at the facility to date. The event also marked a meaningful transition for students formerly enrolled through SUNY Sullivan at Sullivan Correctional Facility whose facility previously closed, by allowing students to celebrate their degrees alongside SUNY Ulster Community College peers.

The event captivated the students present, highlighted by a moving address from guest speaker Moshe Canty, a Hudson Link alumnus who currently holds the role of Academic Reentry Navigation Coordinator at SUNY’s Office of Higher Education in Prison. The audience was also inspired by an impactful speech delivered by this year’s graduation speaker, David T.

At its core, Hudson Link’s initiative is centered on empowering incarcerated people by granting them access to higher education, instilling hope, fostering personal development, and unlocking new avenues of opportunity.  

“Our graduates are living proof that education can change lives and create a more just and equitable society,” said Sean Pica, President of Hudson Link. “We are proud to support and celebrate their resilience in the face of adversity. This commencement represents more than individual achievement—it’s a powerful example of what’s possible when stakeholders work together to open doors to opportunity where they’ve long been closed.

“What makes today’s graduation so powerful is the grit behind every single diploma,” shared SUNY Ulster President, Allison Buckley, Ed.D. “These students showed up, stayed committed, and pushed themselves to succeed in an environment that asks a great deal of them every day. The fact that nearly all of this graduating class earned honors or high honors says everything about their determination and their belief in themselves and in what education can do.”

Buckley continued to say, “At our college, access is not just part of our mission statement — it is who we are. We believe talent exists everywhere, and opportunity should too. An education is something no one can take away from you. It builds confidence, dignity, and possibility.”

Student speaker David T. commended the 38 graduates by acknowledging their remarkable accomplishment of earning their associate degrees, and how that milestone paves the way for a brighter future within and beyond the confines of the prison walls.

"Every student and graduate in this room should take pride in their achievements. In my mind, the fact that they were accomplishments from a prison cell makes them all the more notable. It is difficult under the best conditions to find the focus required to complete a college degree. And, as we all know, prison is far from an ideal learning environment. Yet, in the face of this great adversity we remained steadfast,” David affirmed.

“You are SUNY Ulster alum now,” insisted keynote speaker Canty. “This means you have a responsibility to continue contributing to the culture that transforms Shawangunk into a beacon of light. Therefore, use your influence as global leaders and ambassadors of higher education in prison to inspire the brothers in the cell blocks to emulate your example. As what happened to me, you never know how your influence may impact the next future global leader.”

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About Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison: Hudson Link (hudsonlink.org) empowers currently and formerly incarcerated people to realize their academic and economic potential by managing degree-granting college programs and providing essential re-entry support. Established in 1998, Hudson Link has transformed over two thousand lives helping incarcerated people make a positive impact on their own lives, their families and communities, resulting in lower rates of recidivism, incarceration and poverty. Working with seven college partners, Hudson Link provides funding, management and organizational support for academic programs leading to a college degree at four correctional facilities. In addition to in-prison college programs, Hudson Link operates a strong portfolio of services for alumni, including transitional housing through an initiative called New Beginnings.   

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