Community College of Philadelphia is Recertified as an Achieving The Dream Leader

PHILADELPHIA, September 29, 2014—Community College of Philadelphia was one of 16 institutions recertified this week as a Leader College for Achieving the Dream, a national nonprofit that is dedicated to helping more community college students, particularly low-income students and students of color, earn a college certificate or degree.

The designation of Leader College is awarded to member colleges that commit to improve student success and close achievement gaps. These colleges, according to Achieving the Dream officials, “have shown how data can inform policy and practice to help community college students achieve their goals, resulting in improved skills, better employability, and economic growth for families, communities, and the nation as a whole.”

Since 2009, Achieving the Dream has granted Leader College status to a total of 79 active Achieving the Dream institutions. Community College of Philadelphia first obtained Leader status in 2011. Every three years, institutions must undergo a recertification process to maintain the Leader College designation.

According to Achieving the Dream, Community College of Philadelphia earned recertification based on recent advancements in student performance. The percentage of students who completed courses with a “C” or better increased from 11.8 percent in 2007-2008 to 21.4 percent in 2010-2011. Credential attainment for students increased from 8.6 percent in 2006-2007 to 10.4 percent in 2009-2010. In addition, the College doubled the number of Hispanic students who completed courses with a “C” or better and tripled success rates for Pell Grant recipients.

“Community College of Philadelphia is proud to be recognized as a Leader College for Achieving the Dream,” said Dr. Donald “Guy” Generals, the College’s president. “We have increased student support initiatives that provide academic success tools and enable us to support all learners in achieving their academic goals.”

Achieving the Dream executives said that the 2014 Leader Colleges are making strides in the national movement to increase student completion and close achievement gaps. With the guidance of Achieving the Dream Coaches, colleges implement key student supports that align with their overall policies and institutional systems, such as college readiness programs, mandatory new student orientation, and other programs.

“The work of improving student success is critically important to our education and economy,” said Carol Lincoln, Achieving the Dream Senior Vice President. “These colleges are working hard to move the needle for whole cohorts of students, and deserve recognition for their relentless efforts and promising achievements.”

Achieving the Dream executives announced the recertifications on Sept. 24 as they newly granted Leader College distinction to 16 new institutions. For more information, visit http://achievingthedream.org/latest-news/press-releases.



Community College of Philadelphia enrolls more than 34,000 credit and non-credit students. It offers day, evening, weekend and online classes. Visit us at www.ccp.edu. Follow us on Twitter. Become a fan on Facebook