Expanding Access to Education for All
College Way brings higher education to incarcerated individuals at Rikers Island through LaGuardia Community College (CUNY).
Our Mission
Expanding Access to Education for All
College Way runs in partnership with LaGuardia Community College to open pathways to higher education for incarcerated individuals. Through a three-credit criminal justice course at Rikers Island, co-taught by CUNY LaGuardia Community College students serving as Justice Fellows, the program fosters mentorship, academic growth, and life planning for post-release success.
Our curriculum, developed under Dr. Cory Rowe’s leadership with input from public defenders, artists, and system-impacted students, provides a foundational understanding of procedural law while demystifying the complexities of the criminal court system. This paper-based coursebook model ensures accessibility, even for learners without technology access.
Key partnerships with New York County Defender Services and Queens Public Library have further enriched the program’s approach, ensuring that incarcerated individuals are supported with practical legal insights.
Justice Fellows
CUNY students co-teach courses and serve as mentors to incarcerated learners.
3-Credit Course
Accredited criminal justice course earning college credits at Rikers Island.
Paper-Based Model
Coursebook design ensures accessibility for learners without technology.
College Way In Action
Our programs provide education, mentorship, and support to incarcerated individuals and the communities around them.
4th Semester at RNDC
We awarded certificates to 19 students for completing the "First Year Seminar in Criminal Justice" at RNDC on Rikers Island. Students completed a three credit criminal justice course and created speeches with their master plans for life after incarceration.
19 students certifiedCourt Support Project
College Way volunteers help navigate the courts with our students attending trials, meeting with parents, and offering letters of support to lawyers.
Ongoing supportVisitation Project
College Way justice fellows created a visiting project to keep in touch with students and see a variety of New York state prisons from the inside.
Statewide reachEducational Impact
Over 60 Justice Fellows have participated since 2015, gaining hands-on experience in teaching and mentorship, preparing them for future academic and professional endeavors. By providing access to higher education in an environment where opportunities are often limited, incarcerated students report increased confidence, engagement, and readiness to reintegrate into their communities, demonstrating the transformative power of this initiative.
Future Calls to Action
As New York City transitions to borough-based jails, College Way is poised for significant expansion.
Expanding Courses
Introducing an African American History class enriched with student-created art and writing.
Enhancing Access
Broadening opportunities for youth in detention and individuals in New York State prisons.
Scaling Education Models
Developing a replicable framework for borough-based jails.
Building Experiential Learning
Creating mentorship opportunities for community college students across NYC.
College Way is committed to expanding credit-bearing courses, innovating arts-based curricula, and documenting best practices for scaling education programs. Our mission is to reimagine education for justice-impacted individuals and build a more inclusive future.
Our Partners
We work alongside leading institutions and organizations committed to education and justice.
A Message From the Director
Dear College Way Community,
As we reflect on another meaningful season of growth and learning, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the people who make this work possible. To our dedicated student volunteers and to our incredible incarcerated participants: thank you. You have helped build something far greater than a program; you’ve shaped a community rooted in mutual respect, curiosity, and the shared belief that education can transform lives.
Each week, you bring your energy, your questions, your perspectives, and your openness. You show up for one another. You listen, you challenge, you encourage, and you grow together. This spirit is what makes The College Way truly exceptional, and I am profoundly grateful for every one of you who contributes to this community.
As we look ahead, I also want to extend an invitation to anyone who feels called to be part of this mission. Whether you’d like to volunteer, support our work through a donation, or simply learn more, we would be honored to welcome you. We are always seeking new partners and new voices to join the movement.
Thank you for believing in this work, for building this community, and for helping us carry The College Way forward.
With gratitude,
Kathy Mora
Executive Director, College Way
Support Our Mission
Your contribution helps bring higher education to those who need it most. Every donation supports course materials, mentorship programs, and the expansion of College Way to new facilities.
Join Us
College Way embodies the transformative power of education, creating equity and second chances for those who need it most.
For more information or to explore partnership opportunities, please contact us.
Ways to Get Involved
Volunteer
Join as a Justice Fellow and co-teach courses at Rikers Island. Make a direct impact through mentorship.
Partner With Us
We are always seeking new partners and new voices to join the movement for education equity.
Stay Connected
Reach out to learn more about our programs, upcoming events, and how you can support our mission.