Get Involved – Medford Campus Students

Header Image with MyTERN Medford students sitting at a graduation

BECOME A TEACHING ASSISTANT AT MCI-SHIRLEY

In Spring 2026, TUPIT will be offering the following courses at MCI-Shirley:

  1. Civic Studies Capstone (CVS 190)
  2. Men, Masculinity, and Mental Health (CSHD 143)
  3. Alien Worlds (AST 005)
  4. Sociology of Race and Ethnicity (SOC 011)
  5. Philosophy of Love (PHIL ?)
  6. Social Justice Advocacy and Music (MUS 152)
  7. Reimagining Health: Community, Equity, and Well-Being (CH ?)
  8. Poetry (ENG 006)
  9. Writing Composition (ENG 1)
  10. Foundations for Academic Success (ACL 100)

Teaching assistants (TAs) are essential to the degree program at MCI-Shirley, a 50-minute drive from the Medford campus. TAs work in teams of 3-4 and lead a weekly two-hour recitation section (on a different day than the main class). TAs support student learning directly and by supporting their faculty members.

TAs earn 4 credits by enrolling in CVS 0099: Internship for Social Change: Prison Justice Studies (with a graduate-level option also available). In addition to attending the recitation period at the prison every week, TAs are required to attend a Friday TA/faculty meeting weekly. TAs are selected through an admissions process that involves TUPIT leadership and the faculty member. TAs must attend additional pre-semester orientations run by TUPIT leadership and by the MA Department of Correction.

  • Application window for following FALL semester March 1 – March 15
  • Application window for following SPRING semester: October 1 – October 15
TA Application for Medford Campus Students

ENROLL IN A MyTERN CLASS

Students can apply to enroll in the following MyTERN courses:

  1. Fall – Literatures of Justice — Hilary Binda and David Delvalle (Mondays, 5:15–8:30 pm)
  2. Fall – Technology for Civic Impact — Jim Bowker (Thursdays, 5:15–8:30 pm)
  3. Spring – Storytelling for Social Change — Hilary Binda, Kim Forero-Arnias, Joanna Gray, David Delvalle and Jody Boykins
  4. Spring – The Social Determinants of Health — Dr. Sarah Rosenberg-Scott, TUSM

The Tufts Education Reentry Network (MyTERN) brings together students impacted by incarceration and Tufts undergraduates in an environment grounded in the principles of transformative justice. Co-created by TUPIT students from MCI-Concord, TUPIT’s director, Tufts undergraduates, and community partners, MyTERN blends Civic Studies coursework with community engagement supported by a broad network of partner organizations.

  • Application window for SPRING semester March 1 – March 15
  • Application window for FALL semester: October 1 – October 15
Class Application for Medford Campus Students

TUTOR WITH THE PETEY GREENE PROGRAM

The Petey Greene Program supports the academic goals of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people through high-quality volunteer tutoring, while also educating volunteers about systemic injustice in the carceral system. Tufts students who TA in the TUPIT program are also participants in the Petey Greene Program! Tutoring with PGP also helps build your resume for applying to become a TUPIT TA or join a MyTERN class.

Tufts Petey Greene Website

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