PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
The 2019-2020 academic year was unlike any other. We welcomed students back to campus in the fall without any idea of the challenges we would all soon face. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck Philadelphia in March 2020, on-campus operations shut down, more than 1,500 courses moved online, and our College community learned to navigate their “new normal.”
The pandemic could have brought teaching and learning to a grinding halt. But instead, the students, faculty and staff of Community College of Philadelphia stepped up to meet these challenges. Faculty and staff continued to provide educational and career opportunities for our students by devising innovative, engaging ways to deliver courses and support services to students. Students adapted quickly and juggled their varying responsibilities in addition to their studies. And while the College was not able to host an in-person commencement ceremony in the spring, more than 1,800 students still graduated from our institution – some moving on to four-year schools, and others heading into in-demand jobs across the city.
Through it all, the College remained committed to providing students a quality education. To do this, we felt strongly that we needed to focus on the following five pillars identified in our 2017-2025 Strategic Plan - Impact 2025: The Student Experience; Workforce Development, Readiness and Economic Innovation; External and Internal Community Relations; World-class Facilities; and Fiscal Stability and Sustainability.
This annual report of the 2019-2020 academic year highlights the ways in which we have made progress in each area, and how we are looking to build on this success in the future.
We know that times will improve, and one day, hopefully soon, we will be able to celebrate our accomplishments in-person. Until then, we continue to work toward our goals, and to provide our students the experiences that will serve them well as we educate and train the workforce of Philadelphia and improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods.
2019-2020 IN REVIEW
The 2019-2020 academic year was unlike any other. We welcomed students back to campus in the fall without any idea of the challenges we would all soon face.
Setting the Precedent for Higher Education During a Pandemic
Through a holistic strategy to create a successful online learning environment, see how the College was able to adapt quickly to meet our students’ needs.
A Network of Support for Our Students
More than 900 students have turned to CCP Cares for help when they needed it most.
Nursing Students Doing Good in Our Community
Our Nursing program prepares students to face real-time health issues by providing opportunities to help Philadelphians in their communities. In 2020, our Nursing students joined our health care heroes on the frontlines of the battle against COVID-19.
CCP Answering the Call
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, in spring 2020, the College donated life-saving equipment to local hospitals to support health care facilities and their colleagues working on the front lines.
Connecting Students to Careers and Employers to their Future Workforce
From virtual job fairs to remote career counseling, we’ve made sure our students don’t have to put their professional goals on hold.
Keeping Our Campus Safe
The work that our on-campus essential staff does is important, but their health is paramount. Read about our protocol for ensuring the wellbeing of our students, staff and faculty throughout this pandemic.
CARES Act Delivers Critical Pandemic Relief
CCP supports it's student through the crisis with 3 grants from the US Dept of Education.
#CCP VOTES
Organizing large scale voter registration and education, College students, staff and faculty have worked hard to give the College one of the nation’s highest percentages of active student voters.
Dr. Generals and the College community came together in June 2020 to take action and engage in substantive discussions after the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery, among others. The teach-in sessions featured panelists from the College and the community, and focused on different topics: police reform, violence against the transgender community, and next steps. Expression Sessions followed the teach-ins, where participants had the opportunity to talk with College counselors, in small groups, about their fear, anger and how to process the recent traumatic events.
Participant Spotlight
-- Debonair Oates-Primus, Ph.D.,
assistant professor of English and coordinator of the Black Studies and Diversity Fellowship programs
OCTAVIUS CATTO SCHOLARSHIP
In spring 2020, the College worked in lockstep with Mayor Jim Kenney to announce the Octavius Catto Scholarship, which will enhance college accessibility and ensure that more Philadelphia residents obtain postsecondary degrees and credentials.
Learn more about how the City is supporting free college with the Octavius Cato Scholarship
Learn more about other scholarship opportunities at the College
Faculty Spotlight
Recreating the Gallery Experience Online
This year, our annual Faculty Art Show captivated audiences in remote environments. [Learn More]
President’s Awards Highlight Faculty and Staff Dedication and Achievement
View the 2020 faculty and staff honored by Dr. Generals.
The Diversity Fellowship Program
By supporting faculty who come from historically underrepresented cultures, this program offers higher education career preparation workshops, and mentorship from full-time faculty in order to support professional growth.
Education Through Dialogue
The Diversity Certificate Program helps faculty and staff improve their cultural competencies by creating spaces where honest conversations and hands-on activities can reveal how culture influences our perceptions, behaviors and beliefs.
Nursing Program Breeds Success
The College’s Nursing program is designed to prepare students for beginning staff nurse positions in acute, long-term care and community- based facilities. Staff nurses plan, provide and evaluate nursing care for individual health maintenance or health promotion needs. Upon successful completion of the curriculum, students receive an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree and are eligible to sit for the state licensure examination.
The program also prepares students to face real- time public health issues by providing opportunities to help Philadelphians in their communities.
Health Care Grads Exceed National Averages
Guided by our expert and accomplished faculty, our health care graduates regularly demonstrate excellence with high pass rates.
Strengthening Communities Through Small Business Success.
Through free training in essential skills like marketing, financial management and social media strategy, Power Up Your Business has helped over 600 local small business owners in Philadelphia.
See how Power Up supports Philadelphia Residents, Neighborhoods and Commerce
Takes Area Businesses to the Next Level
The Philadelphia 100 awards recognized 25 10KSB graduates in 2020.
Creating Innovative Career Training Programs in Partnership with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
See how CCP and the State join forces to keep Pennsylvania working.
Training for the Jobs of Today and Tomorrow
The Pathway to Advanced Manufacturing program, funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development’s Pennsylvania Manufacturing Training to Career Grant, prepares participants for entry-level employment in the advanced manufacturing industry.
Roary Finds their Home at Community College of Philadelphia
In an ongoing celebration of our community’s diversity and values, the student body was invited to participate in selecting a new mascot. The result? A new member of our CCP pride, who brought a new level of inclusion and representation with them.
Lion Pride.
Lion Proud.
CCP Lions Men's and Women's teams named EPAC Champions!
Commencement & Quick Facts
CCP’s 54th Commencement Ceremony Postponed
With a postponed ceremony, the college recognized our graduates with a virtual presence, and a commencement in a box.
visit the 2020 commencement site and celebrate our graduates.
Service Learning
Students perform community services and connect with their neighbors to apply lessons they have learned in class and develop leadership skills.
Service Learning: Combining Education with Community Service
Connecting students to situations where they can use their knowledge and develop leadership skills outside of the classroom while helping others.
Illuminating an International Crisis
Educating others through a survivors’ panel, discussions with law professionals, resource tables and a documentary, this fourth annual event on Oct. 10 provided facts and statistics surrounding human trafficking.