In between conference calls, preparing for graduation and running the College’s new coffee shop, we sat down with Yeismarie Rivera, the student chief executive officer (SCEO) of Saxbys Café to figure out how and why she does it all. 

Q: Yeismarie, tell us a little about yourself. 

A: My name is Yeismarie. My parents are Puerto Rican natives, so my first language growing up was Spanish. I graduated high school in 2021 and originally, I had no plans for higher education. I actually wanted to join the military. But at the last minute, I thought, community college--I’ll give it a shot to see where I land. And, well, it kind of changed my life forever!  

Q: How would you describe your journey at the College?

When I first joined CCP, it was normal. I was just taking my regular general education courses. Then, during my second semester, in a conversation with my [previous] English professor, he told me I was a brilliant writer. That made me switch my point of view of myself a little bit because I wasn't a strong academic student in high school. I decided to apply for the honors program. The coursework was rigorous! It was very difficult and something I wasn't used to, yet it was something that I absolutely loved. My degree in Liberal Arts - Honors is specifically made for students who want to transfer into more selective schools, so I kind of put that [as a] goal for myself. I wanted to be ambitious. 

Q: As a Liberal Arts - Honors major, how did you become Saxbys SCEO? 

A: I applied in the fall 2022 semester and was selected as the SCEO for spring 2022. It was something completely out of my comfort zone because every time I hear SCEO, I think of business majors, which I am not. I actually used that to market myself, saying, “I’m not your typical applicant,” and it worked! 

Q: That’s a brilliant marketing strategy! What do you do as SCEO?

A: So, I run the café! I manage the profit and loss statements, the team and everything else that has to do with managing the café and I get [course] credit in return. So, I'm not taking any classes this semester because this is my class experience through the Saxbys ELP program [link: https://www.saxbyscoffee.com/the-saxbys-elp/]. I’ll receive 16 credits for this experience since that’s what I need to graduate. This opportunity has given me the opportunity to branch out into uncharted waters. It’s been very cool. 

Q: Under your leadership, the College saw an increase in events hosted at Saxbys. How did that come about? 

A: I was able to combine Saxbys’ outreach and advocacy and sustainability work with my volunteering efforts around the College through resources like the Women’s Outreach and Advocacy Center. We hosted a fundraiser [for the Center during Women’s History Month]. The Café has hosted the Catto Scholarship team and a Power Up information session, as well as multiple professors who’ve come in to teach their classes here. As SCEO, it was a decision based on being able to work with your team and headquarters to decide which [events] would be the most beneficial, and not just to the company, but for the community as well, and to make sure there was a lasting impact.

Q: So, let’s talk representation. What does it mean for you, where you come from and how you’ve grown up, to be where you are now? 

A: I’ve had Spanish-speaking professors come into the shop and my ability to communicate with them in Spanish made them very excited because it just isn’t that common. The representation is not so much about me being Latina, but more of where I come from, my background and story. Traveling through Kensington, taking the El at 5 a.m. just to get here. I make sure I do it because you don’t hear that a lot. One of the first things I realized when I first started at CCP was if I waited for somebody else to be the first, I would be waiting a very, very long time. So, I decided that I would be the first. It's kind of breaking that mold of stereotypical low-income kids and what they do after high school. I’m making sure that I change that narrative. 

Q: What have you learned in your position as SCEO, especially when it comes to serving as a professional role model for your employees? 

A: I am learning a lot. Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable and being able to delegate, delegate things to your team members. And for my team in particular, it's mostly men, and older men at that. So, as an 18-year-old girl, it’s intimidating to have to put your foot down. But I know what I came into this position for and what I came to do, so it’s become more about having that confidence in myself, which I’ve developed more of since I started. My attitude toward delegating has improved because there are situations where you have to have tough conversations with team members who may be your friends, too. So, it’s really about finding that balance. I want to set them all up for success, so I had to set boundaries. Here at Saxbys, we practice servant leadership where it really becomes about asking, “What can I do for you?” As their leader, I see myself as just a catalyst for their development.

Q: How has CCP helped you? What role has it played in your development?

A: CCP changed my life in a way that it gave me a second chance to reevaluate my goals and who I wanted to be as a student. Education has come to mean creating a path for others that haven’t been educated before, or who had to sacrifice their education. When I say that, I think about my mom who had to sacrifice her education to get a better life. An education grants you that better life. So, it's so much bigger than I could have ever imagined, as it has led me to invest in things that I am passionate about like the Women’s Center, #CCPVotes, research, and being a full-time student. It has lent me this platform to change my own life, to completely transform how I view education and for me to be so passionate about it that I want to do the same for others. I want to open up doors for other people and let them realize how much that this can change their lives, too. 

Q: What do you want to do after CCP?

A: My dream would actually be [for this] to come full circle and I become a professor at a community college to be able to teach and guide students like me. 

Originally from Guinea, Ahmadou Sidibe was a student in Moscow while his loved ones resided here in Philadelphia. After countless conversations with his father and sisters about life and school, and the overwhelming feeling of missing his family, Ahmadou finally made the move, joining them in 2019. After settling in, conversations of continuing school would become a popular topic for him and his sister, who suggested the College--but Ahmadou wasn’t initially interested.

So how does he feel now that he’s graduating with a 4.0 GPA and a degree in Engineering Science from CCP? 

“Attending Community College of Philadelphia was the best decision I've ever made,” he says. “I met my mentor, and that was the greatest thing that happened to me.” 

Ahmadou followed his sister’s advice and enrolled at the College in the spring of 2021. He was then virtually introduced to his Black Scholars Program mentor, Debbie Polekoff, coordinator of  Educational Support Services Operations. 

“Since the day she reached out to me, we have been in touch,” he says about his connection with Debbie. “Through the program, she helped me stay on track by monitoring my work and progress at school. She was so in tune that there were times she would reach out with information or congratulating me on my success, and I would think, ‘Wait, how does she know that?’” 

“Debbie did everything she could to make sure I succeeded,” Ahmadou says. “In 2021, I lost my father. She was the one who really helped me work through that. It took me about two weeks to recover and get back into the swing of things and she checked on me daily, reminding me to continue my journey.”

Part of the journey included giving back. Debbie encouraged Ahmadou to sign up as a tutor in the Learning Lab, where he would become a part-time tutor.

“I love being a tutor because I am a part of a positive change that helps students succeed in classes like math and physics,” he says. “Being a part of that process and giving back to my community is rewarding for me.”

As a student, Ahmadou was purposeful about his major and his path, especially after selecting a major that interested him but would also challenge him. He knew it wouldn’t be easy, but that success was possible—thanks, in part, to resources like financial aid, scholarships and summer courses. 

Ahmadou began completing the College’s single scholarship application each year, which granted him helpful scholarships to continue his studies. Additionally, his plan incorporated summer courses, which were funded in part by financial aid. Taking additional courses during the summer helped Ahmadou lessen his course loads for the following semesters, allowing him to focus on more challenging courses. As a result, Ahmadou regularly encouraged his classmates and peers to apply for scholarships.

“Everything I've received at CCP is something that motivates me to keep going,” he explains. “It makes me want to keep excelling. I came here with nothing and I'm going to get my associate degree with no debt. It's an institution of hope for so many students. CCP has allowed me to become a great student and citizen. It has truly been a transformative experience.”

Ahmadou will attend a local four-year university and hopes to stay connected to the College’s Learning Lab.

On April 25, Mayor Kenney and the College community gathered to celebrate the largest cohort of graduating Octavius Catto Scholars with a pinning ceremony.  
The Octavius Catto Scholarship was launched in the spring 2021 semester, when the world was still in the midst of a global pandemic. With 66 Catto Scholars graduating this spring, the program has grown to support more than 1,100 students. Not only does this scholarship fully cover the cost of tuition, but it also covers the cost of books and provides a monthly stipend to help students with cost-of-living expenses.  

Dr. Seth Jacobson, executive director of the Catto Scholarship, emceed the event, highlighting those who made this milestone possible. Attendees also heard from Mayor Kenney, who made access to education a priority during his tenure, Dr. Generals, president of the College, and Dr. April Voltz, associate vice president for Strategic Initiatives and Community Engagement. Dr. Jacobson also thanked Catto Scholarship staff members “who work day in and day out, even responding to texts and calls at night and on weekends, because they will do practically anything to ensure the success of our students.” 

These individuals, along with each Catto Scholar, embody Octavius Catto’s legacy, which is to equip and empower Philadelphians to be agents of positive social change in this city and beyond. 

Dr. Generals congratulated the graduates before Mayor Kenney addressed the complicated legacy of Octavius Catto, a civil rights activist who lost his life on Election Day in 1871, after his pivotal leadership in the fight for voting rights of Black Philadelphians. He highlighted the fact that Octavius Catto, who was a teacher, administrator, member of the Franklin Institute and more, was not even allowed to ride the trolley. The mayor went on to say that uncovering the legacy of people like Octavius Catto, whose stories are kept out of history books, is of utmost importance.  

The mayor cited Catto as inspiration for his belief that education is the most important tool for upward mobility, and promised that funding for the program would continue long after his tenure.  

Batoul Shariah, a Catto Scholar who goes by Tooli, said she never expected to go to college because she couldn’t afford it. After graduating with a degree in Psychology, Tooli received full scholarships to both Jefferson and Columbia universities. Her goal is to earn a doctorate in neuroscience so that she can conduct research to combat the mental health crisis in America. “Since the day I got the call about the Catto Scholarship, my life changed in ways I couldn’t even imagine,” Tooli said. “After joining the Catto Scholarship family, I went from worrying about where my next meal would be to [thinking] about how I am going to build my community when one day I become a doctor.”  

Robb Konczyk, who graduated with a degree in Digital Video Production, found that without a degree, he was constantly encountering barriers to advancement. But when he was hit with a cancer diagnosis just before the pandemic, he saw community college as a way to regain a sense of normalcy and forward momentum. He began working on top of going to school, and persevered despite the challenges.  

Working as assistant house manager at the Philadelphia Film Center, Robb saw the effect of his efforts when a friend and coworker shared that he had inspired him to enroll at the College as well. “This was a powerful moment for me,” he said. “Today I am a proud graduate of CCP and am actively pursuing my bachelor's degree at Temple University’s Klein College of Media and Communications studying Media Studies and Production with a minor in Leadership. This scholarship has aided me in a major way,” Rob said. 

Community College of Philadelphia is a public asset that efficiently educates people who are from this city and will ultimately join its workforce. By making college possible for those who might not otherwise have such an opportunity, the Octavius Catto Scholarship creates leaders who will go on to create opportunities for people like them. In this way, the Octavius Catto Scholarship continues the legacy of the outspoken man who paved the way for a brighter future in Philadelphia so many years ago.  

Excited to attend the College’s May 6 graduation ceremony, Brittney Coleman will join other Parkway Center City Middle College students in earning an associate degree a few weeks before receiving a high school diploma on June 8. 

With her associate in Liberal Studies degree, and graduating with Highest Honors, she will focus on a career in nursing this fall at North Carolina A&T, an institution she selected for a few reasons.

“I was looking at HBCUs, and students there have a 98 percent passing rate on their nursing exams. In addition to academics, I was also looking for the student life aspect; I wanted a school that supported both,” said Brittney.

Pursuing Liberal Studies allowed Brittney to explore her interests and strengths, and provided options for her career path. 

“My interest in nursing started toward the beginning of my junior year. When I started the biology class in the first semester of my senior year, my passions became clear, and I realized I was on the right path for what I wanted to do.” 

Opportunities through this dual admission program go beyond college preparation and a faster route to a bachelor’s degree program—the built-in support and skills have helped Brittney understand how to make decisions for herself, ask for assistance when necessary, and discover how classmates can support one another.

“I wasn’t understanding some concepts in biology, and I was getting frustrated. I decided to ask teachers and other students for help, and then I started to do better in the class. It really boosted my confidence,” said Brittney.

The environment created at Parkway also assisted students in working toward their goals together.

“We’re very strong in helping each other out. We all want to get through and succeed,” she said.

With the goal of becoming a pediatric nurse, Brittney is ready for her next degree and her next challenge.

“With this program, I feel more prepared. We’ve always had someone teaching us. We were taught to be more independent and advocate for ourselves. We were taught time management and study skills, and we received help with college applications. Even after we graduate, our instructors are always here for us,” she said. 

Arriving at the College in summer 2019, Nana Agyman had a plan to achieve his goal of becoming a nutritionist, motivated by changes he made in his life.

Growing up with health challenges, Nana experienced issues while vising extended family in Ghana, and he made the decision to take control of his own health.

“When I got back home, I started researching better ways of eating, and traditional ways of eating in Ghana. It was a major shift,” he said. 

Nana previously attended the University of Pittsburgh, but he was unsure of a career path. A friend introduced him to martial arts, which also had a positive impact on his health.

“I found an intersection of what was important to me, and what I was interested in career-wise,” said Nana.

Graduating with Highest Honors and a degree in Health Care Studies in December 2022, Nana will be participating in the May 6 ceremony. With the long-term aspiration of opening his own clinic where he can assist patients’ needs, Nana will continue his studies in nutrition. He has already been accepted to Columbia University. Nana is waiting to hear from Drexel, Swarthmore, Penn, and La Salle until he makes his final decision, and to see the financial aid packages offered by the institutions.

At times, he paused to remind himself of what he was working toward through his studies.

“This is for me, and for all of those I will help in the future, and my future family. This is all for a greater cause.”

Nana’s advice to potential students reflects his experience at the College. 

“The College gave me the opportunity to continue my goals. Come with a goal, come with a plan and come with your best effort. The College can help,” said Nana.

Last year, the College’s men’s basketball team rallied up a lot of excitement around campus as they made their way to the 2021-22 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) DIII Men's Basketball Championship. In the middle of it all stood Ryan Holmes, guard for the Community College of Philadelphia Lions, who was named Player of the Year for the region. Ryan is now getting ready to graduate! We caught up with the soon-to-be-grad as he prepares for the next quarter of his story. 

Ryan started at the College in spring 2021 during a time when all of CCP’s courses were online due to COVID-19. He was previously enrolled at Holy Family University on a scholarship but transferred to CCP. He says his first few months weren’t easy.

“I struggled at first, because I didn’t understand what was needed of me but ended up liking online classes [at CCP] because it gave me freedom to work to help pay my tuition,” he notes. 

After enrolling, Coach Rome invited him to play on the men’s basketball team. From there, his relationships with teammates grew during a time when human interactions were few and far between. He’s now ending his academic career at CCP having completed all of his coursework online.

“Taking courses online didn’t really affect my relationship [with teammates] because we were always together for practices, games and traveling,” Ryan stated. “We would always talk through group chats and social media. I was grateful because even though I was taking my classes online […] I was still able to interact through basketball.”

Ryan says he appreciated the coaching staff understanding the players had other things going on in their lives in addition to basketball, adding they preached what was and wasn’t important on and off the court and in the classroom. 

Ryan says his positive relationships with Coach Rome and Daniels, in particular, helped him push forward in his studies. 

“Coach Rome checked everyone’s grades. If you weren’t eligible or not doing good in your classes, he showed us what to do, who to reach out to and how to get the classes we needed. Academics were a big part of his plan for us, and he always said it’s more about the academics than basketball,” he adds.

Ryan credits Coach Daniels with helping him to stay on track academically after initially struggling at CCP. “He kept me on point,” he says. “He encouraged me to make sure to get something done every day, even if it’s just opening my computer and reviewing classwork for the day.” 

Ryan contends his education at CCP came at a time where he felt like he needed a win. 

“I talk to my parents about this often, about how grateful I am for CCP and the second chance that it gave me,” Ryan says. “I didn’t do well academically at first [at Holy Family University] and CCP gave me a chance to make up for it and it all just worked out. From having a successful [basketball] career, getting [named] Player of the Year, and playing for a team where I became very close to my teammates…it was nice to have that and to feel like something is going my way.”

Ryan will graduate in May 2023 with his A.A in Business – General. He is looking to complete his studies in management and marketing while continuing to play basketball at a four-year institution. 

In November, Community College of Philadelphia was recognized by the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge (ALL IN) as a 2022 ALL IN Most Engaged Campus for College Student Voting. ALL IN is a national nonpartisan initiative that strives to change civic culture and institutionalize democratic engagement activities on college campuses. The goal is to make voter participation a defining feature of campus life.

ALL IN engages over 9 million students from more than 960 institutions in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The College joins 394 colleges and universities being recognized for making intentional efforts to increase student voter participation.

In 2018, the College launched #CCPVotes, a multi-year civic-engagement initiative designed to engage Community College of Philadelphia students in the electoral process. In partnership with the College’s Institute for Community Engagement and Civic Leadership, #CCPVotes offers voter education programming each election cycle.

Additionally, the College recently announced Election Day, Tuesday Nov. 8 as a day of service. This marked the third consecutive year the College was closed on Election Day to allow for students, faculty, and staff to fully participate in the electoral process.

“With the full support of our Board of Trustees, I was pleased to announce Election Day as a day of service for the College,” said College President Dr. Donald “Guy” Generals. “Elections are the cornerstone of our democracy and the only way to preserve it is by making voting as stress-free as possible. We were hopeful that each member of our community would use the day to encourage those close to them to fulfill their civic duty.”

ALL IN has also recognized the College with the Highly Established Action Plan Seal of recognition. This seal was developed for institutions of higher education with strong action plans to increase nonpartisan democratic engagement by promoting 

civic learning, political engagement, and college student voter participation.

According to a 2022 report released by the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE), in 2018, 40 percent of voting-eligible students at the College voted in the General Election in comparison to the national average of 35 percent for other public associate degree-granting institutions. 

In 2020, 70 percent of voting-eligible students at the College registered to vote and nearly 80 percent of those students who registered voted in the General Election. The overall voting rate of College students during this election – sitting at 56 percent – was equal to the national average of similar institutions. 

“We are proud to see that over the years, our students have become more engaged in the electoral process,” said Generals. “The work being done by #CCPVotes on campus, and across the city, is impactful in demonstrating how convenient, and important, it is to vote. As we continue our efforts, we look forward to expanding the number of voters on campus even further.”

Shahid Guyton ‘17 is a Community College of Philadelphia alum who studied Liberal Arts--Social/Behavioral Science. He now has a bachelor’s in psychology from Ashford University and has been working at nonprofits for roughly five years. In his current role as the Restorative Services director at Broad Street Ministry, he helps housing insecure and impoverished Philadelphians access benefits, housing, hot meals, clothing, toiletries and more.  

Although Shahid and his colleagues work hard to provide those in need with the basic necessities they deserve, he says that the job doesn’t feel like work at all. Having experienced many of the same struggles in his own life, Shahid’s passion for nonprofit work comes from seeing himself in those who seek out services at Broad Street Ministry.  

Growing up, Shahid’s parents struggled with addiction. Being raised in an unstable environment, he found himself trapped in a cycle of addiction, housing insecurity, and poverty. He was homeless from 2000 until 2011, when he moved from Newark to Philadelphia and enrolled in a transitional housing program for men called Ready, Willing & Able. “That program is where I kind of got my start, because it gave me a place to sit down and learn a little bit of basic computer skills, and also start taking GED classes,” said Shahid.

Once he graduated with his GED, a mentor of his pushed him to go a step further.  

Shahid attended the College while working two jobs and taking care of his high school-aged children. Setting a good example for them turned out to be one of his biggest motivators.

“I never had anybody to lead by example in my upbringing,” said Shahid. “In my immediate family nobody ever finished high school. So, I had to let them see that this is how you do it, coming from their father. I was the role model there. I had to do that for me and for them.”

Shahid spoke about the rigorous and communal environment found at the College. “It felt like I was at one of those major colleges because that's how the professors would [treat us …] in study groups and being around other students. I felt like more locked in,” he said.   

Shahid also participated in “Drop the Mic” during his time at the College and self-published a book of poetry, Spoken Word from the Soul of A Broken Curb.

After graduating, Shahid started as a de-escalation specialist at Broad Street Ministry in 2018. He then took a step up in his career to become an associate director at Depaul USA’s recovery house in January 2020 until returning to Broad Street Ministry in 2022 as the director of Restorative Services.  

“What made me gravitate to Broad Street Ministry, for one, is the empathy and the compassion that was given to the guests,” said Shahid. Broad Street Ministry employs a philosophy of “radical hospitality” as well as trauma-informed care in order to meet people where they are, honor the difficulties they face, and ultimately build the kind of trust that will make people want to continue to use their services.  

For example, when Broad Street Ministry serves meals, they don’t have guests stand in a meal line. According to Shahid, “it’s just like a restaurant,” with a hostess, waiters to bring people their meals and refill their beverages, and family-style seating around a table.

“We call it ‘radical hospitality’ because even that person who comes in with [negative] energy is still greeted and treated with radical hospitality. That person may not even be nice to you that day, but like I said, energy is contagious. The more they come in the more they loosen up, the more rapport is established, and more services can be provided,” said Shahid.  

For students who are looking to earn degrees that will lead them to work in nonprofit and human services, Shahid said, “It's always good to travel to nonprofits and volunteer and see what goes on, so they can get some more experience and get a good feel of if this what they want to do.” He encourages students to volunteer at Broad Street Ministry regardless of their major so that they can connect with their community and practice employing empathy and compassion for the many who are struggling in this city.  

In his new role, Shahid continues to create new success stories at Broad Street Ministry and in his own life. “When I moved here in 2011, homeless, addicted, and just like looking for a way to get myself together […] I think that's an amazing story,” he said. “Eleven years ago, I was homeless, and now I'm a homeowner.” 

For as long as she could remember, Imira Roussaw had her heart set on attending the University of Southern California (USC). A 2021 graduate of Saints John Neumann and Maria Goretti Catholic High School, she said at the time it was her dream school. 

Towards the end of her time in high school, Imira recalls her mom telling her about the opportunity to attend Community College of Philadelphia for free through the Octavius Catto Scholarship. 

“It wasn’t speaking to me. I already had this vision of going to California set,” Imira said. 

About a week after that initial conversation with her mom, Imira received another postcard about the benefits of the Catto Scholarship. This time, she decided to give it a shot and submitted her application to the College. She figured that she could always complete her prerequisite courses and then transfer to USC. 

What she didn’t count on was how much she would love it at the College. Halfway through her first semester, she realized that CCP was the perfect fit for her. 

“It had everything I needed,” Imira said. “It was close to home, and I was surrounded by constant support. From my Catto success coaches, advisors and even the security guards. 

“I asked myself, why am I in such a rush? I felt that leaving so soon was not in my heart. I wanted to take advantage of everything the College had to offer.” 

After finally committing to staying at the College, that’s when she learned about the opportunity to serve as the second student CEO (SCEO) for the brand-new Saxbys café in the Library and Learning Commons. While she dismissed the idea at first, she said her success coach, George Walley-Sephes, and Alexis Mercado, the Career Connections Pathway Coordinator for the Catto Scholarship, urged her to strongly consider it. 

After becoming fully settled in college life, she decided to put her application on hold until her second semester. Over the next few weeks, she worked with Alexis to prepare for mock interviews and build upon her public speaking skills. 

“It was a nice experience because I slowly became more confident in myself,” Imira said. “I always knew that I could do it and step into the role.”

After submitting her application, things moved pretty quickly for Imira; she was hired within two weeks. From there she participated in virtual and in-person trainings to prepare her for the role. She even spent a month at Saxbys’ 30th Street Station café under the mentorship of Nysair Brooks, the College café’s inaugural SCEO. Following the grand opening of the café in September, Imira officially began her role as SCEO. 

In this role, Imira runs and manages all aspects of the College’s café, including team development, community outreach initiatives, and the café’s profit and loss statements. She earns invaluable leadership experience in addition to full academic credit and competitive wages.

Throughout her training she learned how to celebrate the little wins like hitting budget sales, being low on waste, and reducing high labor costs. She also learned how to fully step into her own leadership style. 

“As a leader, you have to coach and manage your team to be confident in their abilities,” she said. “Every day will present a new problem or issue. You have to constantly stay grounded and remember the skills you have. Not just for yourself, but for your team who looks to you when things don’t go as planned.”

As a dual Business General major also pursuing a proficiency certificate in Entrepreneurship, Imira is using her time as SCEO to gain hands-on experience in the world of business.  Some of the skills she’s picked up include financial management, effective communication skills, and time management. The most important skill of all, she says, is being open-minded no matter the situation. 

“I’ve learned that everyone is built differently,” Imira said. “You have to invest in each team member differently. Having those communications skills helps me because I have such a close connection with my team. I never scold them, but I let them know that I’m here to uplift them and help them get the work done.

“I’m more than their boss. I’m someone who’s here to guide them, be in their corner, and be a good listener. We don’t dwell on the bad things, but we get up, try again, and start over. I’m learning to become resilient in a fast-paced work environment.”

When it comes to environment, Imira says she’s proud of the culture her and her team are creating on campus. 

“I embrace being a Black woman and my culture every step of the way,” she said. “I let the culture vibe. I never code switch or change my vocabulary. Being my authentic self helps me connect with everyone else. By being able to celebrate our cultures, we get to laugh and share community.

“This has become the new hangout spot for people. Students have a new place to come with great music and food. Lots of clubs wants to host events here. The café is definitely building community and offering options for students.”

So far, she’s hosted events for the College’s Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program and a Coffee with the Dean event with Arielle Norment, interim dean of Business & Technology. 

When asked what she has planned after graduating from the College, Imira said, “I want to secure a business internship. I love to write and travel and really want to be able to experience a new environment. Getting out of my comfort zone has been the best way for me to grow. I want to further enhance my skills and figure out what role I want to play in my life. No matter what I decide, I want to use business as a tool to achieve that goal.”

The College’s student-run Saxbys café is open Monday – Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Learn more or place an order online. 

The Critical Language Scholarship is a national program designed to give undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to quickly learn or sharpen their language skills. Among the many applicants nationwide, two Community College of Philadelphia students earned their place in the Fall 2022 cohort. 

Hannah Mc-Kay Simmons, an International Studies major, and Donika Campbell, a Respiratory Care Technology major, have spent the past few weeks in this program taking two free one-hour classes in Chinese and Arabic, respectively. The two have varying experience levels with their chosen languages. 

Last week, we got together with Hannah and Donika to talk about why the CLS Spark program is a worthwhile opportunity for students. Read the interview below.

CCP: Why did you decide to take a chance and apply for this program?

Donika: I just really like learning languages. When I was in high school, I took French. At the College, I took Spanish...[I was] just kind of stepping out of my comfort zone and trying to find another language that I might be interested in. Also, when I was in high school, I did missionary work...and I feel like maybe having Arabic would open a door to that. 
I'm a people person, so the more languages I know, the more I can connect with people. Some of my classmates speak Arabic, so sometimes I can talk with them and it's really cool.

Hannah: Learning Chinese has actually been a goal for me for a long time. I’ve taken the highest level of Chinese offered at CCP. After I graduate from CCP I'm planning to transfer to Temple to get a degree in Chinese. So, the program was very much aligned with my overall educational goals. Being bilingual is pretty sought after...so I could go into business, I could go into teaching, I could go into government. I was thinking of teaching English in China for maybe a year or two after I graduate.

CCP: What was the application process like?

Donika: The application process was pretty straightforward. They ask your background, some demographics, what kind of activities you're involved in, any end goals, transcripts, things like that. It just took me a little bit to make sure that my essays were up to par. David [Prejsnar, director of The Center for International Understanding and assistant professor of History, Philosophy and Religious Studies] coached me and told me what I should put in there, and to make sure it's authentic.

CCP: What is the program itself like?

Hannah: My program is definitely designed to be immersive. One really cool thing is it's through a Taiwanese university, so to have teachers that are from a Mandarin Chinese speaking country...it feels almost like you're actually traveling abroad. There are two different levels. I'm in the lower level. Even in the lower level you're not allowed to speak English at all so that was a little intimidating, but it's been okay. If we're confused, we can ask a question in English or the teacher will sometimes say something in English if it's clear we're not getting it. 

We have two hours of class per week, but then [we] also do half-hour, one-on-ones once a month with the teacher. [There are] eight people in my class. So, you get a lot of attention because it's such a small class size. And then also we do cultural activities once a month.  

Donika: I like it because it's very straight to the point. It's one hour, but it's an intense hour. And then you have homework assignments. We're learning something new each unit, and then when we're in class, we're writing what we learned, we're saying what we learned, we're talking to each other. And I feel like I spend maybe an hour or two on the homework. So, it's very flexible. I'm [still] able to get through my program at school, because that's very intense as well.

CCP: Did you find anything surprising about the program? 
Donika: I didn't think that I would get a chance to know so much in such a short amount of time. I'm surprised that I already learned and know so much. It's only been maybe a month, but I feel like it's going well.  
Hannah: When people introduce themselves [in the beginning of the term] and say their colleges, [they're from] the whole country. So, the fact that there's two CCP students is pretty cool.

CCP: What is your advice to students who apply? 

Hannah: If you're going [to apply to the program], that should really be something that you want to do, and that you're prepared to really put your all in and take advantage of it. You have to really care about learning the language.

Donika: I just want to encourage people to go ahead and do it. You never know what doors can be opened. You never know the people that you might meet from all over the world, young or old. I just want to encourage people to step out of [their] comfort zone and learn something new. You never know where it will take you. 

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