When we started the process of creating Community College of Philadelphia’s new brand nearly three years ago, we knew students had to be part of the discussion. After all, our students are at the core of everything we do. We couldn’t create the College’s new look and feel without asking our students what makes them proud to be part of the City’s College—and what would encourage others to see what they already know.

We put out the call and assembled a focus group of students who wanted to share their expertise as part of our College community. 

“The goal was rebuilding the brand inside and out,” said Sabriya Marshall, one of several students who were instrumental in providing brand feedback. “Were we getting the right message, right mantra, right color patterns? Were they bold enough? How did we feel as a student? How would you feel as a prospective student?”

Community College of Philadelphia is often seen as a hidden gem in the city. Students who attend here know the benefits of the College, the people who work here see the difference we make in the community, but it often feels like not enough people know about us. If you know, you know—but we want everyone to know!

A major reason for the rebrand was attracting new students.

“As a student, I want to look at myself as if I could I be at this campus,” Sabriya said. “Is this somewhere I’d want to go?”

For the Philly native, the answer is a resounding yes. Sabriya will be finishing her degree this summer and plans to walk during Commencement this May. Her major is Health Care Studies and she plans to go into nursing.

“CCP has professors and staff members who are understanding,” Sabriya said. “They’re very aware and it’s apparent. That’s what I love about the culture of the school. There are so many different varieties of people you’re going to come across and no matter what, you’re not alone.”

Another focus group participant, Aponte Anthony, said the logo needed to be something that stands out and sticks with people when they see it. He said the new logo, with its prominent P, achieves that in a way the previous logo didn’t for him.

“Philadelphia is something CCP wanted to emphasize,” Aponte said. “I remember that during the meetings, the idea that this is the Community College of Philadelphia. Emphasizing the people of Philadelphia. It needed to be something that gets your attention and when people pass by, they say, ‘Ah, I’ve seen that before.’”

It’s our hope that the new logo establishes Community College of Philadelphia in the pantheon of the city’s iconic Ps. 

Aponte, who is studying Applied Science and is about 19 credit hours away from his degree, said the College’s color palette was also important to him.

“They were talking about changing the color scheme,” he said. “I’m fine with the color scheme already. I thought, ‘Hopefully the color scheme doesn’t change too dramatically.’”

He wasn’t the only person who said they liked the College’s iconic black and gold colors. Not to fear: Those colors aren’t going away. We are, however, adding a splash of blue that creates a pleasant balance alongside the previous brand palette. The blue and yellow in the new brand also ties the College to the City; Philadelphia’s official colors emphasize blue and yellow and now the College’s do, too.

Another major contribution students made to the new brand was our tagline. In the moments before a final decision needed to be made, College stakeholders, Cabinet members, and the Strategic Communications team were still divided among a couple different options. Students were asked a final time which tagline they preferred; to everyone’s relief, they unanimously chose, “Rise from within.”

The tagline really captures the ethos of our students. Community College of Philadelphia is here with resources and compassionate educators who support our students, but those students’ individual accomplishments come from within. Every day, we see students find success as they rise from within.

Community College of Philadelphia launched a new brand and logo on April 11, 2024, reflecting our place in the city’s educational landscape as Philadelphia’s college.

Since 1965, we have served generations of Philadelphians, and we continue to increase access to higher education for students from across the city and around the world. Our rebrand will help us communicate our programs and services in a crowded higher education market and highlight the benefits we offer as Philadelphia’s only community college. With the continually rising price of a college education, CCP wants to ensure students know how we can help them achieve their academic and career goals.

Our new logo, a bold “P,” stands for Philadelphia, where most of our students are from, and where most of our graduates stay. The College has prepared generations of Philadelphians to lead our industries and communities. The “P” is created from three different shapes: a bold number one, celebrating the individual and collective strength of one community, one college, and one city. The contours of the one are inspired by the traditional columns on our Mint Building and the modern, rounded structures found throughout our campus architecture.

A light blue dot rises to the top of the “P” on the left side, signifying students’ ability to rise, relating to our new tagline: “Rise from within.” The message is a call to action, asking Philadelphians to recognize the power that we have to improve the world around us and ourselves—power that comes from our lived experiences, talents, and aspirations.

The new brand also features the colors black and yellow, with an accent of light blue. These colors mirror Philadelphia’s official colors of blue and yellow. 

“The College plays a large role in the careers of hundreds of thousands of Philadelphians at one or multiple points throughout their lives. Our new brand needed to reflect our place in Philadelphia as an institution that welcomes many students with different goals who ultimately need skills that lead to better job opportunities and futures,” said Dr. Donald Guy Generals, College president.

Roary still leads our Lion pride, and our Athletics logo will not change.

Student and staff provided input throughout the creative process, and the College’s Strategic Communications department developed and fine-tuned colors and brand attributes over nearly three years. Our last brand update was in 2006, and our new look responds to where we are now as an institution.

“The new look is bold. I believe the new brand represents the College and its students with 'Rise from Within,’ and the logo exemplifies Philadelphia and the staple CCP has been to this city,” said Sabriya Marshall, a Health Care Studies student who participated in one of the branding focus groups.

Look for the new logo and brand colors throughout the city as our community shows off its CCP pride!

Judy Wentworth, who will start the Nursing program in 2024, shared her story about presenting her research at a high-profile academic conference. She reflects on how this experience has prepared her for her studies, and how faculty and staff helped her achieve this milestone.

In the fall 2022, I was honored to be one of five students who represented the College at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists (ABRCMS), one of the most prestigious STEM conferences for students and faculty in the country. It was an extraordinary opportunity made possible by one of CCP’s outstanding professor/mentors, Dr. Beena Patel, as well as the College’s dedicated team of administrators.

When I started my CCP journey in fall, I had not taken a science class in 15 years. It had also been two years since I had to stop working due to my disability. For those reasons, I was not sure if I would have the stamina to succeed in my first CCP course, BIOL 106: General Biology. Little did I know I was about to discover a passion and aptitude for science—specifically biology!—that I didn’t know I possessed, as well as a culture of academic rigor and support that I never expected to find at a community college. Certainly, I could not have dreamt how all of those wonderful surprises would lead to one of the biggest academic achievements of my life: presenting a scientific poster about aquaponics agriculture in Phoenix, Arizona, at a five-day conference attended by thousands of people.

The ABRCMS conference is a flagship program of the American Society for Microbiology and is designed to position students with marginalized identities for ambitious academic and professional careers in science. Each ABRCMS participant customizes their own conference program, attending whichever panel discussions, keynote addresses and student presentations sound most intriguing. The sessions I enjoyed most focused on issues of disability justice in research labs, as well as cutting-edge work to cultivate a more diverse, equitable and inclusive ecosystem throughout academia.

Every single facet of my ABRCMS experience pushed my confidence and goals irreversibly forward. Boarding the plane out of Philadelphia International Airport and seeing other ABRCMS-bound passengers—easily identifiable by their poster tubes and “Ask Me About My Research!” pins—signaled to my nervous system that my life trajectory was changing. At that moment, it dawned on me that I was joining a vast and diverse community of emerging scientists who had all been recognized and invested in by their own visionary professors and institutions—their own Dr. Patels and CCPs.

The pinnacle of my conference experience was presenting at one of the poster sessions alongside hundreds of other students, including many from the most illustrious universities in the country. I thought I would be nervous to field questions about my poster from passersby, but I became more and more comfortable with each conversation. I was also visited by a series of three conference judges who asked very thoughtful questions and congratulated Dr. Patel and myself.

The research that I had the opportunity to present at ABRCMS is from an experiment designed by Dr. Patel and meticulously carried out by the students from multiple sections, including mine, of her General Biology course. The experiment tested the efficacy of a form of plant cultivation called aquaponics. We had one grow bed connected to an active fish tank in a closed-loop aquaponic system, and another simple water grow bed, irrigated with tap water, that we used as our experimental control.

Over the course of the five-week experiment, we measured the nitrate, nitrite, phosphate, ammonia and pH levels in the two different grow beds, as well as the size of the plants in both beds. Our findings are reflected in the title of my conference abstract: “Nutrients from Fish Waste Enhance Plant Growth in Aquaponic Grow Bed.” What this relatively simple experiment demonstrates is that this sustainable, resource-efficient farming technique can yield robust crop outputs, at least on a small scale. The next phase of this research, which Dr. Patel and Prof. Magbity will be carrying out this year in their classes, will explore the viability of aquaponic agriculture on a larger scale and in a natural environment. Aquaponic farming at an industrial scale has the potential to help combat climate change.

When Dr. Patel encouraged me to apply to the ABRCMS conference, she coached me on compiling and analyzing all the data that our classes had collected. She then mentored me through the process of writing a compelling abstract and application to submit to the ABRCMS admissions team. One of my favorite CCP classroom memories will always be the last lab session of Dr. Patel’s BIOL 241: Principles of Microbiology class. The gel electrophoresis lab was extremely cool in and of itself. Additionally, whenever there were a few minutes of downtime, Dr. Patel would say, “Judy, come with me,” and we would return to our ABRCMS submission process on the computer in the adjoining room.

Once we received the invitation to the conference, Dr. Patel advised me on creating an effective research poster and preparing for my oral presentation. It is entirely thanks to Dr. Patel’s vision, her tireless dedication to student success and her decades of experience in biology research that I had this opportunity to represent our College on the national stage. With continued support from the CCP administration, I am confident that such incredible opportunities for students will become more plentiful.

Special thanks are due to: my fellow CCP students Jessica Ha, Xhesila Abedinaj, and Rama Diallo, for helping to prepare the research findings; Dr. Beena Patel, Prof. Solomon Magbity, M.S.; and Prof. Joseph Noyes, M.S., for serving as research advisors; Dr. Vishal Shah, Dean of Math, Science and Health Careers, for providing a STEM internal grant; Dr. Linda Powell, Special Assistant to the Vice President on STEM Outreach and Engagement; Isabel Gines, Abeer Hudaihed, and Rita Pagano for lab supply and day-to-day help; Dr. Woosly Calixte, Pathways Student Success Coordinator, Title III Grant Office; and the Full-Time Faculty Travel Grant provided by the College.

—Judy Wentworth 

Twenty-one-year-old Camyra Sawyer was the first woman to complete the Welding Technology program at the Career and Advanced Technology Center (CATC) in Spring ‘23. Now the Philly native is already in the second month of her first job where she builds nuclear containers at Holtec. In an industry where women make up less than 8% of the workforce, Camyra is making her way forward with a dedication to her craft, a tenacious attitude, and a network of mentors to propel her toward her goals. 

When she first graduated high school, Camyra began working towards a degree in Mechanical Engineering at another local college. But she found the teaching style to be impersonal, and because she wasn’t having a good experience, she eventually left school. 

Unsure of what to do next, Camyra’s aptitude for technical and creative work, as well as guidance from her relatives, pointed her towards welding. Camyra excelled in her high school wood shop class, and her family told her about how rewarding a career in welding can be. “My uncle has a lot of friends that are welders, and he was telling me they really like it,” Camyra said. “He's a contractor welder, and […] my other uncle was an underwater welder.”

The next decision was where to go for formal training. For Camyra, the choice between CCP and other schools came down to affordability. The College’s program turned out to be much more affordable than other options. 

Camyra enrolled in the Welding Technology program in Fall of ‘22, taking hands-on classes during the day from October until May to receive her certification. The program started out in the classroom, where each student had to pass a test on welding safety before getting to work in the welding room. After passing the safety component, students moved on to learn principles of welding, stick, TIG and MIG welding, how to read blueprints and more. 

From the beginning, Camyra could tell she had found a learning environment where she could thrive. 

“When I came to CCP I thought, ‘I really hope I have one of those teachers that you can just have a normal conversation with,’” she said. “When I met Mr. Poe, he was so nice right off the bat.” 

Camyra was pleasantly surprised that when her instructor, David Poe, introduced himself, he shook everyone’s hands. One characteristic that really stood out, Camyra said, was “when he said ‘I have all my students’ phone numbers, and my [previous students] text me and give me updates on how they're doing at their job [or] when they get a new job, or what they bought with the money they were able to get from their welding jobs.”

This personable style of teaching created an environment where Camyra could patiently learn the craft, embracing the ups and downs that come with picking up any new skill. When Camyra started out, she was nervous to work with potentially dangerous materials like acetylene. “[Mr. Poe] was very encouraging, saying, ‘Camyra, you know you can do it. I'm going to just stay here watch.’ He watched me practice a lot of times. He never gets upset. He never gets angry. He's very patient. He was a really good teacher,” said Camyra. “It's like a one-on-one experience from him even though you're in a classroom full of people.”

Camyra found her passion in the classroom, and is now headed towards a dynamic career with many possibilities. “I like welding for a simple fact that it makes you very creative,” she said. “You can do nuclear [welding], which I'm doing now. You can make doors or railings or furniture for people. You can do underwater welding. There’s a lot of different components that you can choose from; you just don't have to stick to one thing and do that one thing all the time.”

When Camyra applied to her job at Holtec, Poe was there to help her with her resume. After two interviews and a welding test, she received a congratulatory email with a job offer in October. 

Working continuously to improve her skills, Camyra plans to add to her arsenal of welding styles through the welding school offered by her employer, with the goal of eventually working in the medical field. “[When I’m around 22], and I’ve saved a good amount of money, I want to do orbital welding classes and work in a hospital,” said Camyra.

While being a woman welding is rewarding, it comes with its own set of challenges. Camyra said that when she first started, some younger welders would treat her differently than their male co-workers since they weren’t used to working with women. “I felt like a lot of the men in there didn't really take me seriously simply because I'm a girl,” she said. 

As she was determined to succeed, Camyra eventually spoke to her co-workers about these issues, expressing that this was her first industry job and she hoped they’d be more understanding. They had an open dialogue, and Camyra said she’s now close to many of her co-workers. 

For other women interested in entering this field, Camyra has a few words of advice. “You really need to speak up and stand your ground. Ask all the questions!”

If you want to learn from the best, your instructor has to love what they do. When it comes to automotives, the best instructors love cars. And trucks. And motorcycles. And anything with an engine and wheels.

That’s why Jason Barnes is the perfect pick as Community College of Philadelphia’s new Medium and Heavy Truck Technology instructor. 

“I see certain vehicles and I see beauty, I see art,” Jason said. “I see the mechanics of how they make that thing go. I flip up the hood and look at the engine. I want to see what the suspension can do. I want to see what the engine can do. I want to see what other technology is on the car.”

As Jason explained, all of the automotive instructors at the College’s West Philadelphia Career and Advanced Technology Center share that same passion for vehicles.

“We’re all geeks at heart when it comes down to this stuff,” Jason said with a laugh. “All four of us here are car guys. We love to do it. We see a car and, like most mechanics, we say, ‘how can I improve that? What can I do to change that? What can I do to make it faster?’ You've seen guys who tear apart cars, fix this, fix that, fabricate this. Yeah, I'm that dude. I just love it.”

Jason was born and raised in West Philadelphia and is a CCP alum, having started his time in the College automotive program in 90s and officially graduating in 2018. He’s married and has three grown daughters. He’s also a big motorcycle hobbyist and owns four of his own bikes. Come this fall, he’ll be teaching his first group of Medium and Heavy Truck Technology students.

In his program, students will learn to diagnose and repair various systems in large vehicles, like firetrucks, city transit buses and semi-trucks. Courses give students hands-on experience with electrical systems, HVAC, drivetrain systems and much more. 

In addition to the two-year degree path, the College offers two professional certificates in Medium and Heavy Truck Technology for those looking to gain a practical skillset and quick entry into the industry.

A lot has changed since Jason was an automotive student at CCP. For one, the Career and Advanced Technology Center didn’t exist back then. The state-of-the-art facility was built just last year and houses labs for automotive vehicles, welding, fabrication, and diesel components, as well as a dental assistant lab, medical lab, drone technology lab and so much more. The building houses numerous vehicles through partnerships with companies like Toyota and SEPTA, providing autos for students to get hands-on experience.

The high-tech facility is part of the draw for car geeks like Jason, especially considering the way today’s vehicles rely on computers, hybrid, and electric systems.

“We have a hybrid bus right here,” Jason said, pointing to the SEPTA bus that sits on the ground floor of the Career and Advanced Technology Center. “It's a diesel-electric bus. Back in the day, you’d bring your car to the mechanic, and he can listen to it and tell you what’s wrong. ‘I got one cylinder that's not firing.’ But what we learn here is diagnosing it with a computer or your laptop.”

Before Jason began his CCP teaching career, he worked at SEPTA for nearly two decades as a mechanic and, eventually, in management. 

“I was fixing the buses, putting the buses back together for 10 years,” he said. “But I think the degree I earned also allowed me to move up into management.”

As he put it, the education that comes with a two-year automotive degree gives graduates the speaking and writing skills that open up more job possibilities. On top of that, it opens up more education options, like transferring to a four-year school or university.

Ultimately, the Medium and Heavy Truck Technology program sets students up to get good paying jobs.

“If you like working with your hands and solving problems, this might be the career for you,” Jason said. “And you’ll be able to afford your toys if you want them. You'll make a good living.”

This year marks the 55th anniversary of the passage of the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination in housing.

Community College of Philadelphia has long worked to find solutions for students facing housing insecurity. In 2020, The Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice at Temple University conducted a survey of 1,183 CCP students where 57% reported experiencing housing insecurity in the previous year. The concern and efforts to assist students resulted in a partnership with the Philadelphia Housing Authority, known as the Shared Housing Program. The initiative provides low-cost housing options for students near Main Campus, with a focus on those who have been involved in foster care.

One student who found housing through the Shared Housing Program initially grappled with the idea of revealing his housing status for fear it would affect his academic reputation. At the time, in the spring of 2021, Anthony Keenan had recently moved to Philadelphia to pursue his educational journey but couldn’t lock in stable housing.

“Everything was going well for me until an unexpected health issue had arisen,” said Anthony. “This caused me [to have to] reduce my work hours, [which made] my income drop significantly. My first-year anniversary [in Philadelphia] was celebrated with me living in a homeless shelter.” 

Anthony continued to juggle school and personal life, even running for and winning a seat on the Student Government Association as West Regional Center Senator. Although he continued to excel academically, Anthony still struggled with housing. The uncertainty threatened to affect his ability to focus on school and other academic activities. 

“That following school year was one filled with mixed emotions,” he said. “My struggles with anxiety had grown and depression had set in. Many days I questioned whether or not any of this was worth it.”

He continued, “My SGA journey started off with me not being immediately responsive, but I didn’t want this to reflect poorly on me. With much reluctance, I decided to inform my faculty advisors, Jeff Markovitz and Jenavia Weaver, about my struggles with being homeless.”

Anthony’s reluctance is not uncommon. The Hope Center study revealed 44% of students experiencing basic needs insecurity did not apply for campus supports because they did not know how. Anthony was connected to the Shared Housing Program, which provides shared housing at North 10th and 11th streets. Through the program, students are expected to pay rent based on 30 percent of their income or up to $125 a month. 

“This program has greatly impacted my life by giving me stability and shelter when I needed it the most,” said Anthony. “My involvement in this program has allowed me to regain my focus on my academic and career goals. My [two-year] anniversary of being a Philadelphia resident was celebrated with me being in my own place."

While the Shared Housing Program is only able to serve a percentage of students in need of housing, the College has released a list of additional support services and resources through its Enough is Enough initiative, which "strives to exhibit a sense of community and solidarity among the College and the City at large".