Students in the School District of Philadelphia with autism spectrum disorders are finding mentors in Community College of Philadelphia students through Project Career Launch. 

In partnership with the District and the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, this initiative enables students to think about career paths, learn how to navigate a college environment and more independently prepare for their future.

“The College provides access to college departments and bridges pathways so these students can explore their career interests,” said Sarah Maguire, executive director of Division of Access and Community Engagement (DACE).

Students from the District are tested to identify career possibilities based on their interests, and they are paired with students at the College with like career goals whenever possible. In addition to learning about the College’s academic programs, District students also receive information about financial aid, tips on succeeding in higher education, and scholarship opportunities at the College, such the Catto Scholarship, which enables qualified students to earn a degree for free.

Eden Galen, a 2017 College graduate, came back to CCP to take a few courses and prepare for her bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Holy Family University after losing her job during the pandemic.

“PCL really stood out to me. I want to become a school counselor and work with the autistic population. I also have family members with autism,” said Eden.

Conversations can take place in groups and in one-on-one settings, with Drexel scheduling these dialogues. The College provides training for the mentors, and they meet with students one and a half hours a week for at least one semester.

“Everyone was wonderful to work with. A teacher from the District joined in group discussions. If I had any questions, they were always there,” she said.

Eden was prepared for her role with training about relationship building, relevant topics for discussion and how to respond to questions. Meeting with students virtually from October 2020 to June 2021, she took notes during initial conversations to best establish relationships and make interactions more beneficial for the students she was working with.

“Some of the students liked talking, and some didn’t. I was able to find common interests and how I could relate to them—then I saw them open up. I really liked that experience,” she said.

Meeting with students in a group of 10 and with smaller groups of two or three, Eden discussed career ambitions and college life, and students talked about what they were learning in the classroom.

Preparing to graduate from Holy Family in May 2022 and pursue a master’s degree, Eden was happy to help others while gaining valuable insight for her future career.

“Working with neurodiverse students has been great. It’s helped my communication and leadership skills, and I’ve used my experiences to help and advise others,” said Eden.

New to the College, Dr. Vishal Shah was appointed the new dean of Math, Science and Health Careers in June 2021. A role that comes during a transformative time amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the new dean is excited to work with students.

We sat down to talk to Dr. Shah about his journey to the College and his plans for his new role. Read the conversation below.

1. Please tell us about yourself and your background.

I have an academic background across three different continents that first include India and the Czech Republic, and from there, I came to the United States. Here, I completed my post-doctorate at NYU Tandon School of Engineering. I was a faculty member and department chair in Long Island, New York, and in 2015 moved on to West Chester University. I was the associate dean for the College of the Sciences and Mathematics. I also served in an interim capacity as the associate vice president for the Office of Sponsored Research and Center for International Programs. Cumulative experiences of serving in various roles have allowed me to understand how a collaborative approach across units allows for greater student and faculty success.    

I spend my free time doing research and reading scientific articles. Research, no matter how narrow the hypothesis, allows one to experience the journey of discovery and inventions.  Contributing to the pool of knowledge makes me happy.

2. You entered this role and the College during a pivotal time in history. How do you think the COVID-19 pandemic has altered learning in higher ed.?

As we look through the lens of the pandemic and consider how it has impacted us, there are two critical lessons that stand out. 

First, as we navigate through this fall semester and beyond, institutions of higher education should not lose sight of the emotional and mental wellbeing of our students, faculty, and staff.  With the daily influx of media reports on human suffering globally and changing dynamics of the pandemic, the emotional toll on all of us keeps rising. The onslaught of media reports projecting bleak news does not allow us to step back and distinguish real risks from the perceived risks, raising our anxieties. To me, the confluence of increased anxiety and grief many times prevents effective learning and teaching. Higher education will need to address this in the years to come. 

Secondly, we’ll need to comprehend that our society is going to come out different once the pandemic is over, whenever that will be. The notion of ‘returning back to normal’ will never happen, considering the new normal will be different from what we were used to. Higher education should be leading with an example for society on how to adapt to the new normal.

For now, the new normal is miles away and there are a lot of uncertainties. The only certainty we have is the uncertainty of it all. Through all of this, I remain very hopeful and optimistic of the times ahead. 

3.  So, how do we prepare our students for the future with so many uncertainties? 

What we must realize is, our students and faculty have gained a lot of experience through the pandemic. It was brought on by a sudden external force and we had to figure out solutions in real time. We are still figuring out solutions to changing realities. But, with the passage of time, I am confident that it will be less about the circumstances, and more about how we use the experiences. We can’t undo all the things we’ve learned or have experienced and how they’ve affected us. So, when we talk about the future, we will need to embrace all the lessons learned.

4. How does Community College of Philadelphia differ from other local institutions?

It is truly my belief that the College, and other community colleges in general, will be the catalyst of change in our society. Our role in society is transparent and it’s in our mission. The fact that we know what we need to do means a lot because we're not figuring out what we will do, post-pandemic. We're already working on how we will do it. That’s what sets our College apart from other institutions.

5. What is your opinion on the role the College plays in the lives of students?

Right now, the debate many of the high schoolers are having with their parents is whether they should go to college because of the debt and expenses involved. That's the reality for a majority of the population. Gone are the days when higher education was accessible to everybody. When students are bombarded and constantly under pressure of debt, one cannot expect them to have the freedom to think, the freedom to explore their passions. That's not the environment where a student can discover their true talents and identity. And, that is where Community College of Philadelphia is ideally placed. Here, the students do not have to pursue a degree just because they see it as a means to an end, but they can pursue their passion. 

One should also not forget that not every STEM career requires four and six years of education.  The College provides numerous unique pathways that lead to exciting careers after a certificate or associate degree. And these careers are critical in our society.

6. What would you like students to know?

My message to them would be, “Never lose hope and never lose confidence in your own self.”  From my experience, life is always a struggle. Life throws roadblocks. Always take those roadblocks as opportunities, no matter how tall and wide they look. Do not hesitate to ask for help. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not a sign of weakness. Reach out to your mentors, your advisors, your guardians and friends. Always know nobody is alone; it's knowing who you can reach out to - sometimes that's the difference between overcoming an obstacle and not. Know the College is there for them even after they leave. This is a resource that never ends.

Recently, the City of Philadelphia announced a mandate stating that all higher education students, faculty and staff must be fully vaccinated by Oct. 15, 2021. As a result, Community College of Philadelphia has had to reevaluate our fall plans in accordance with local regulations. 

In order to prioritize the safety and security of the community as the Delta variant of COVID-19 becomes more prevalent, the College has made the difficult decision to delay the majority of in-person, on-campus classes until Oct. 15, and instead offer these courses online and on their original days until then. Starting Oct. 18, courses will be offered in their original format (hybrid or in-person), as listed on students’ class schedule. Classes in the 7A term will remain online for the entire term. 

In addition, beginning Oct. 15, staff, faculty and students who remain unvaccinated without an approved exemption will not be permitted on campus. Learn more about the College’s vaccination requirements here.

“It goes without saying that we are living in a time that is consistently evolving, and that takes some adjusting,” said Dr. Donald Guy Generals, College president. “I appreciate our community’s flexibility and patience as we continue to address new circumstances. The health and safety of the College community are our first priorities and are at the forefront of every decision we’ve made thus far.”

To continue to ensure safety, masks are still required through the fall semester for all employees, students and visitors on our campus and at our regional centers, regardless of vaccination status. The College will continue to enforce six-foot social distancing and operate at approximately 50 percent capacity.

Starting Sept. 1, anyone who is unvaccinated must test negative for COVID-19 before being permitted on campus. More information about testing can be found here.

Vybe Urgent Care at 1500 Spring Garden Street will continue to offer the COVID-19 vaccine. Individuals can also locate vaccination sites by visiting the Philadelphia Department of Public Health’s vaccine resource page or www.vaccines.gov. 

In addition, all student support services will continue to be available online with options available in person, by appointment. Students should visit the Virtual Student Support Services webpage  for more information.

Individuals can also visit the College’s COVID-19 Updates page to stay informed about how the College is keeping the community safe. 

This fall, Community College of Philadelphia will introduce two new certificate programs, one new degree program and three updates to current certificate and degree paths. In doing so, the College hopes to help students stay on the forefront of today’s job markets and to give professionals new opportunities to supplement their skillsets. 

New and improved two-year degree programs include Public Health, Biomedical Equipment Technology and Education, while new certificate programs have been created for Project Management, Personal Training and Religious Studies. 

For students who want to study the broader effect of disparities within health care systems and look to create change in the communities they serve, a Public Health degree will be added to our renowned Department of Allied Health. Students looking to transfer to four-year institutions will have the opportunity to participate in dual admission at a number of institutions within Philadelphia, such as Temple, Drexel and Arcadia universities. 

For students who wish to study the maintenance and repair of technologies used within the medical field, our Biomedical Equipment Technology degree provides a direct line of entry into the workforce. By combining what was previously two certificate programs, this degree program offers complete working knowledge of relevant technologies as well as the opportunity to continue into a four-year program with junior standing at partnering colleges and universities, or directly enter the workforce. 

By consolidating our Middle Level, Secondary Humanities/Social Studies, and Secondary Math/Science education degree paths into one program, our new Education – Middle and Secondary level degree will provide a well-rounded set of course offerings that gives students the flexibility to enter a variety of education programs at the four-year college of their choosing. With nearly two dozen colleges participating in our dual admissions program, students can transfer to the Pennsylvania state college of their choosing with junior standing and become board certified Pennsylvania state educators. 

The Department of Business and Technology’s most recent certificate program, Project Management, will prepare students to excel past entry-level employment and step into higher-level roles with an understanding of how organizations can function at their best. Gain real-world experience through hand-on courses and transfer these new skills into fields like health care, information technology, construction, finance and advertising.  

The Religious Studies program has been adapted into a proficiency certificate program, giving the opportunity for students to understand and compare the nature of human spirituality and faith as a supplement to their majors and professions in health and human services. Those who work in or plan to enter fields like social work, medicine and education can gain the knowledge they need to build trust and create bonds with people of all different cultural and religious backgrounds. In an ever-changing and globally interconnected world, cultural understanding and the ability to empathize are some of the most valuable soft skills that can be exercised by those who serve the public.  

For fitness enthusiasts who want to gain knowledge of human biology, help others succeed and quickly acquire new professional qualifications, the College is introducing a Personal Training Proficiency Certificate. Upon completion of this program, students will be prepared to sit for a Personal Trainer Certification exam offered by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), or comparable certifying organizations.  
 
 

Connecting people to resources is not only a passion for Tia Watson; it’s what she does for a living. Tia serves as the Southeastern Pennsylvania Regional Director for United States Sen. Bob Casey and has been assisting the community to find and utilize helpful resources through strategic planning and advocacy efforts.

“I love my job, and I love what I do,” Tia said. “It brings me so much joy knowing I’m in a position to help people who look like me and live in the neighborhoods like where I grew up.”

But to get where she is now, the connection was Community College of Philadelphia.

Tia was born and raised in Philadelphia, and grew up in Frankford, a low-income section of the city. Between her neighborhood and family, Tia didn’t have many people around her that she could seek out advice from about college because none of her immediate family members attended college. But Tia’s mother always encouraged her to go to school and “get a good job.” With limited resources and direction, it made it harder, and Tia had to figure it out on her own.

So, after graduating from Frankford High School, Tia went on to attend Penn State Schuylkill, but admits she did not take it as seriously as her mother had hoped. Tia attended the school for one year before ending the semester on academic probation. She then returned home and enrolled at Community College of Philadelphia with the intention of taking a few classes to get her GPA up.

“It was a big adjustment, and I just wasn’t focused,” Tia said of her first years in college. “I wasn’t serious about being there, and I didn’t take advantage of the experience, especially the opportunity to learn from and engage with the professors. I was just there, almost as if it was just something to do.”

Tia never returned to Penn State, and instead took some time off. She took an opportunity to move to California, where she lived for a few years but later returned home as a soon-to-be mom. Upon returning, Tia continued working in former U.S. Congressman Chaka Fattah’s office to support herself, and, with his strong advisement and encouragement, Tia enrolled at the College again. But this time it was different.

“I was pregnant and was more focused on finding direction for my life because I now needed to provide for my son,” she said. “It was clearer to me how important education and obtaining a degree was, especially knowing that I’ll be providing for my child. Graduating from college was the first step for me.”

Because she was pregnant, Tia took full advantage of the counseling opportunities the College offered. She connected with her counselor regularly to discuss her possible careers with a Communications degree.

“She gave me so many options that I had no idea existed, and she explained how my skills were transferable,” Tia said. She recalled the dedication her counselor showed, taking into account Tia’s existing government work and course roster to help her determine the various ways she could stay involved.

“My favorite classes at [the College] were Public Speaking and Interpersonal Communications,” Tia said. “What I learned in those classes was extremely impactful and have stayed with me until today, and that’s why I value my CCP experience.”

Tia graduated from the College in 2008 with an associate degree in Communications and then went on to Temple University to complete her studies, graduating with a degree in Strategic Leadership in 2010. She sustained her position in Congressman Fattah’s office handling constituent services. Although she had been doing that for some time, it didn’t fulfill her desire to help residents locally. Upon her return to Philadelphia, her excitement to help the City and the community was what she knew she wanted to do with her career.

“I was home again,” she said excitedly. “I knew Philly, the issues, the people. I had a good understanding of what people needed. So, I needed to be closer to the community.”

An opportunity soon arose for Tia to work on Councilwoman Cindy Bass’ campaign as she ran for re-election, and she then joined the team as chief of staff. This gave her the chance to be on the ground listening to the residents and working with them to determine ways to improve the quality of life for all Philadelphians. Ultimately, Tia moved on from her position, taking on new opportunities within city government and nonprofits as her career progressed. Working with an array of organizations, she began to notice a pattern. Tia was becoming a “connector” as many of her roles connected people to resources—government or otherwise—that could help them. She takes great pride in being able to elevate messages and concerns that otherwise would not have been heard.

In an attempt to assist a friend looking for a new position, she stumbled upon a posting for Philadelphia Regional Representative in Sen. Casey’s office, which she secured, and started on a new journey for her career. Tia was recently promoted in May to her current position as director, where she is a liaison for Sen. Casey and the southeastern PA region, and spends much of her time strategically building relationships and identifying meaningful ways for Sen. Casey to engage with constituents, especially regarding issues related to Black and brown youth and grassroots organizations.

“That’s what I enjoy most about my job,” Tia said. “Being a Philly native and seeing so much of what I’ve seen growing up, it’s amazing being able to go back into the communities, some of which are intrinsically a part of my story, and now being able to expose and connect them to resources and opportunities they didn’t think they could experience.”

As she reflects on the impact of her time at the College, Tia has this to say:

“Community College of Philadelphia was the foundation for my journey. It was there that I was exposed to the vast array of possibilities; it was the amazing leadership at the College that forced me to tap into my potential. It was CCP that further opened my eyes to the world of public service and the many ways in which I could make a difference.”

Earning an Automotive Service I proficiency certificate in 2019 was the culmination of Jovie Last’s lifelong interest in mechanics, tools and working with her hands. Later in life, she realized that automotive service represents an industry where all three components, plus problem solving, are used all day, every day, and would be an enormously satisfying career choice.

“Toys had a great effect on me growing up, especially Erector and Tinkertoy sets,” said Jovie.

She is now taking the PennDOT Emissions Inspector Certification course and is already certified to perform all other functions for PennDOT annual safety inspections of automobiles and light trucks. With previous positions at a dealership and as a technician at Girls Auto Clinic in Upper Darby, Jovie focused on teaching women about automobiles while providing excellent service to customers, and expanding her experience and expertise.

“Girls Auto Clinic has an environment that tailors the repair experience to women by being very conscientious about explaining why a part fails and what a certain system does. I was a customer before I became a mechanic myself,” she said.

Jovie has led two virtual Lunchtime Lessons through The Science Center where she talked about automotive basics and finding her passion for her current career path. In order to demystify the maintenance process and create a better experience for both owners and technicians, she is now hosting hands-on basic car care workshops for women at clients’ own homes. Jovie teaches attendees where in their automobile and online they can find their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), tire size and tire pressure specification, and what type and how much oil their vehicle requires. She helps participants take these details and develop a vehicle information sheet that can be kept in the glovebox for easy reference. Participants also learn how to check fluid levels and air filters, change wiper blades and tires, and search Google for advice and information regarding issues with their vehicles. The women can ask general questions, and they also leave the session with a tire pressure gauge and tire tread depth gauge.

Jovie credits the College for getting her started on this career path.

“I have a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts, and I worked in the financial, construction and music industries in administrative and public relations roles. But I wanted more active, hands-on work.  At Community College of Philadelphia, I learned what I can expect going into the field. I received all the practical training I needed to enter the auto service industry,” she said.

While pursuing her proficiency certificate, she landed a part-time position at Center City Toyota as a basic service technician—the result of a Career Meet-and-Greet hosted by the Automotive Technology program at the College. She then moved on to Enterprise Rent-A-Car full time. 

Just as automobiles continue to change and move forward, Jovie is intent on acquiring additional skills to keep pace with the industry. She is enthusiastically waiting for the completion of the College’s new Career and Advanced Technology Center in West Philadelphia, which will allow the Automotive Technology programs to expand and incorporate diesel and heavy equipment technology, more alternative fuel programs, and more manufacturer certifications.

“I want to continue to learn and grow, and see where cars are going in the future. It’s never too late. I’m just getting started,” she said.

Anyone interested in a car care session can contact Jovie at jlast215 [at] yahoo.com (jlast215[at]yahoo[dot]com).

George Washington Carver High School of Engineering and Science graduate Essence Gaines had no doubt that she would go to college. It was which university she would attend that was up for debate because there were many factors to consider -- costs, distance, and personal financial ability and freedom.

As part of a college tour hosted by Mighty Writers, a non-profit program that teaches kids to write, Essence visited Community College of Philadelphia, less than 2 miles away from her high school. During the visit, the tour guide showed the group around the College and provided great insights to success, including how to apply to scholarships when applying. Essence, not thinking much of it at the time, applied.

“I was surprised when someone from the College reached out to let me know that, not only had I been accepted into the school, but that I would be offered the 50th Anniversary PROMISE Scholarship, too,” Essence said, as she recounted her initial shock.

The College’s intuitive scholarship application process allows for students to complete a single application which then sorts and filters students’ qualifications and eligibility to match them with over 100 available scholarships. The 50th Anniversary PROMISE Scholarship offers eligible Philadelphia high school graduates a no-cost college tuition as they pursue an associate degree. Continuation of the award is reliant upon scholars maintaining specific academic requirements.

Essence then began to rethink what her college experience would look like. Compared to other options, the College was significantly more cost-efficient and closer to her North Philadelphia home, also making Essence rethink being far away from her parents. She decided to attend a 50th Anniversary PROMISE Scholarship informational meeting, and it was from that point on that she knew she was making the right decision to attend Community College of Philadelphia.

Essence was excited for what she’d learned about the scholarship and what it would offer her during her time at the College. She soon discovered the true benefits and advantages of attending college without the hefty price tag.

“Without stressing about how I’m going to pay for school,” Essence said, “I can focus on other important things like attending helpful workshops. The best part is, I’ve have been able to connect with other people and I can concentrate on school and just life in general.”

The scholarship has provided Essence a “burden-free” mentality and the opportunity to take full advantage of all that the College has to offer toward students’ academic success.

“Worrying about paying for college is stressful,” Essence said. “The added pressure of affording tuition is gone and that helps tremendously when you don’t have a source of income, like me when I started school.”

Essence believes the scholarship program, which requires participation in success support programs, has allowed her to do so much more in terms of furthering her professional experiences. She regularly attends events and workshops which she says have encouraged her to embrace the intergenerational relationships she’s fostered since joining the program. She’s interacted with professors at networking events and increasingly those encounters have influenced her and helped her feel empowered to do more.

“The more I interact, the more I feel a part of the [College] family,” she said. “The staff really care for the students and programs. They check in to make sure we are able to function as students and humans. They have made this scholarship and experience great!”

Essence has been an active member of her community as she consciously looks to give back and find ways to educate others and herself in the process. She devotes time to community service  at Olney Elementary, will serve as a host on an upcoming, live-streamed program that promotes youth-based wellness and resiliency organizations, and has volunteered at the Dover Street Library and the 28th annual African American Children’s Book Fair, at its last in-person event, hosted at the College, before the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Using her experiences and education as a Black Studies major, Essence plans to follow the career path to become an educator to Black children. Essence said she’s doing it all for her goal of becoming a teacher and she manifests the idea of building a school or space for youth in her future. Ultimately, she said, “I want to expand my family’s knowledge of the world and Black people’s dominant role in it.”

Andreas Copes is a Community College of Philadelphia Mass Media alumni who was named one of 24 Point Foundation Community College Scholars in spring 2020. Now he/they is being recognized once again for contributions made to local media discourse, as well as for volunteer work in his community. In the spring of 2021, Andreas was selected once again for a prestigious Point Flagship Scholarship out of more than 2,000 applicants.  

When Andreas graduated from Community College of Philadelphia in 2020, he moved on to Temple University with a plan to not only succeed academically, but to make positive changes in Philadelphia as well.  

Having been awarded the 2020 Point Scholarship for Community College Students, Andreas was first recognized for his passion for journalism and advocacy. Working through projects like Phi Theta Kappa’s Honors in Action, Copes established a relationship with a local Planned Parenthood chapter and hosted advocacy events to raise awareness on the barriers that prevent people from accessing sexual health care in the U.S. He also hosted CCPTV’s Focal Point, a magazine show that covers timely topics and campus happenings.  

Now in 2021, Andreas is being recognized by Point Foundation once again for his devotion to creating media content that informs its audience on issues that affect marginalized communities. Identifying as an intersectional feminist, Copes’ work at Community College of Philadelphia provided a launching point for his academic career at Temple when he pitched a queer magazine show at Temple’s TV station. Now a host and co-producer of QT – Queer Temple, Andreas’ work is being recognized and used as educational material for media students. Copes also continues to volunteer with local a Planned Parenthood office. 

In the future, Andreas aspires to one day be a part of an independent queer, intersectional feminist media outlet. “We need to own our narrative and create empowering stories so we can empower generations to come,” he says. 

Point Foundation is the nation’s largest higher education scholarship-granting organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) students. Scholarships include both financial support, and mentorship and leadership development. Read more about the Point Foundation Scholarship and 2021 scholars on Advocate. 

A second chance.

That’s what Leroy Brown, a Black Studies major, found in one Community College of Philadelphia program as a young Black male.

Leroy is expected to complete his degree program in fall 2021 and largely credits this accomplishment to the Center for Male Engagement (CME), a program that he calls “a mecca for young Black men, navigating life and higher education.”

Leroy started at the College in fall 2019 as a transfer from a 4-year college. He was certain that attending a community college would be a walk in the park.

“I came in with an ‘I can do it myself’ mentality,” Leroy said as he talked about his choice to transfer. “But it hit me like a ton of bricks when I failed my first semester.”

Leroy completed his first semester with a 1.8 GPA, which landed him on academic probation. Feeling defeated and hopeless, support coach Patrick Robinson introduced Leroy to CME, which he decided to join that summer. As the new semester approached, and an entire summer of building relationships with staff had passed, Leroy realized the CME support coaches never gave up on him. They were consistent in connecting with him, encouraging and reinforcing that he could do better and making sure he wouldn’t quit. The constant support throughout the next semester helped Leroy finish with a 3.8 GPA.

“I love everything about this program; they have done so much for me,” Leroy said. “CME kept me on a narrow path to getting my associate degree. It was the discipline factor to block the distractions.”

The CME program, geared towards African-American males, helps students adapt to the college environment by providing support to help lessen the barriers to academic success. Support coaches work to enhance students’ skill sets and encourage them to take advantage of the College's many academic and social opportunities, cultivating a sense of belonging at the College and beyond.  

The program, brothers and “Boss Man,” as Leroy affectionately called his respective peers and Derrick Perkins, project director, represented role models that helped Leroy ground himself and gave him a space to be an authentic Black man in the pursuit of higher education. CME offered a nurturing environment created by men who mirrored and reflected those they served. They offered mental health stability for Leroy when he felt overwhelmed and the proper guidance to find a positive outlet. 

“CME grounded me and supported me. I was on a downward spiral and the brothers from CME helped me through so many tough times,” Leroy said. “Boss Man, Derrick, put me in so many positions to lead, speak to others…even putting me on the spot at times, so that I could better myself. I am forever grateful for him.”

Leroy serves as a CME peer support coach, providing other males in the program the same self-assuring supports, assistance and valuable resources and knowledge that were passed onto him.

“I understand the phrase, ‘Iron sharpens iron,’ because in order for me to be better I had to surround myself with better people,” Leroy said. “They’ve always held me accountable, but also taught me patience, love and how to grow through the process.”

Leroy is forever grateful for the relationships, lessons taught and experiences he’s encountered through CME, even noting his desire to one day re-create that nurturing environment for other young Black men like himself.

In order to better meet the needs of his growing family, Chris Robin sought an educational path that would enable him to change careers.

“It was a perfect storm of events that brought me to CCP,” he said.

The owner of his own yoga studio in Northern Liberties, Chris was seeking more financial security after the birth of his second son. The College’s Nursing program provided a quick entrance to an in-demand profession.

“In three years, I’ll have received an associate degree and be eligible to take my exam to become a licensed Registered Nurse. It set me up for a good position in life,” he said.

During his time in the program, the clinical rotation in community health left a lasting impression. He spent time helping individuals in Kensington who were suffering from addiction, and assisted in vaccinating residents against COVID-19.

“It was amazing—we were helping people survive. It was an eye-opening experience, and it was an incredible feeling. Through Philadelphia FIGHT, I was at a site that vaccinated 180 people in a few hours. Some of them were crying with joy,” said Chris.

He is applying to bachelor’s degree programs in nursing and plans to start his studies again in the fall. Ultimately, because of his experiences at the College, he sees himself pursuing a master’s degree in Public Health.

He praised the Nursing faculty for all of the help and support they give students in the program, including with job preparation, letters of recommendation and ongoing assistance.

“The faculty are fabulous. They really care,” said Chris.

Nursing faculty have made sure that students will still have their traditional Nursing Pinning ceremony, via an online gathering on May 6. Faculty and students will have the opportunity to interact with each other virtually, recite the professional nursing oath and celebrate their accomplishments. The next day, students will have a scheduled time to drive up to a designated area at Main Campus and receive their nursing pin from faculty, with safety protocols in place.

“After being in quarantine for the last year and a half, it feels like this ceremony is not only a celebration of my first accomplishment in the health care industry, but a celebration of what the health care industry has done for our world. We are all moving forward,” said Chris.

He also offers advice for anyone thinking of enrolling at the College.

“Do it. It was an awesome experience. The school did a great job moving us forward and getting us prepared when we started,” said Chris.