Community College of Philadelphia, City of Philadelphia Introduce Executive Director of Octavius Catto Scholarship

Contact:
Megan Lello
mlello@ccp.edu

Virtual media roundtable to provide for Q&A about scholarship, which will make tuition free for eligible students applying to the College

PHILADELPHIA – As previously announced, the Octavius Catto Scholarship will make tuition free for hundreds of first-time, full-time students at Community College of Philadelphia. Now, for the first time, members of the media will have the opportunity to meet the College’s new executive director overseeing the scholarship, Dr. April Voltz, as the scholarship recruits its first cohort of students for the spring 2021 semester.

The virtual roundtable on Friday, Oct. 30, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., will also feature College President, Dr. Donald Guy Generals; Chief Education Officer for the City of Philadelphia, Otis Hackney; Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Strategic Initiatives, Maari Porter; and the College’s Associate Vice President for Strategic Initiatives, Dr. David Thomas.

A result of a partnership between the College and the City of Philadelphia, the scholarship is an anti-poverty strategy designed to maximize supports to students so they can succeed. It combines a “last-dollar” funding model, covering the outstanding tuition balance after all other federal and state scholarships and grants are applied, with wrap-around support services to improve student success. The scholarship is expected to benefit up to 4,500 students over five years.

In addition to receiving tuition free for up to three years, Catto Scholars will receive up to $1,500 per semester for food and books; support from a team of success advisors and coaches; and access to City services, including quality child care and housing supports.

The scholarship is named after Octavius Catto, a Black educator and civil rights activist who lived in Philadelphia. Catto was shot and killed on Election Day in 1871 at the age of 32 by a white man intimidating voters in Black neighborhoods like Catto’s.

More information about the scholarship, including eligibility requirements, can be found online at ccp.edu/catto.

WHAT:
Octavius Catto Scholarship Virtual Media Roundtable

WHO:
Dr. April Voltz, executive director, Octavius Catto Scholarship

Dr. Donald Guy Generals, president, Community College of Philadelphia

Otis Hackney, chief education officer, City of Philadelphia

Maari Porter, deputy chief of staff, Policy and Strategic Initiatives

Dr. David Thomas, associate vice president, Strategic Initiatives

WHERE: Please RSVP to Megan Lello at mlello@ccp.edu by COB Thursday, Oct. 29. You will receive a Zoom link to the virtual roundtable after you RSVP.

WHEN:

Friday, Oct. 30

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.