Pivot Fellow Celeste Santifer Reflects on Growth, Resilience, and Community
Georgetown Pivot Program
Launched in 2018, the Georgetown Pivot Program is a professional development program for career-oriented individuals who have previously been incarcerated. Through rigorous classroom training and hands-on work experience, Pivot Fellows discover potential vocational paths and develop the skills needed to succeed in both the workplace and as leaders in their communities. The Pivot Program, designed in partnership with the D.C. Department of Employment Services, also works closely with employer partners and the business community to advance hiring practices that are more inclusive of people with past convictions.
92Graduates in 7 Cohorts
91%Employed within 3 months
22Ventures Launched
The Case for Second Chance Hiring
The underlying mission of the Pivot Program is to create greater access to economic opportunity for all individuals with a past criminal record — an estimated 80 million people. By removing unnecessary barriers to hiring and better preparing justice-involved job seekers for a rapidly evolving employment landscape, employers can tap into an often-overlooked source of talent — and create more vibrant, prosperous communities.
The Pivot Program has partnered with the Second Chance Business Coalition to advocate on behalf of returning citizens for more job opportunities.
Register Now!
On April 9, 2026, Georgetown University is hosting the fourth annual Second Chance Forum: Creating Opportunities for People, Employers and Communities. Please join us!
Seeking Internship Hosts
The 15-week internship experience is an integral part of the Pivot Program curriculum. As interns, Pivot Fellows work with their hosts for a total of 32 hours (four days) per week and are coached throughout by the Pivot leadership team.
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Alumni News
Annual Report
The 2024 PJI Annual Report highlights the accomplishments of Pivot’s sixth cohort, including their coursework, internships, pitch competition, and graduation. The report also spotlights Pivot graduates’ entrepreneurial and career successes after completing the program.
Applications for the next Pivot Program cohort will open in July 2026. If you’d like to be notified when the application becomes available, please share your contact details here.