Decades ago, Tria Jones had a calling to be a nurse but life kept getting in the way.

Her best friend was murdered. Then her husband, Michael Williams, passed away, leaving her with four children to raise. The seesaw economy made it difficult to support her family on her salary as a licensed practical nurse (LPN). Moreover, after starting her Nursing classes, she found herself unemployed and combating housing security.

Yet, on April 30, 2020, her 40th birthday, Tria took her final exam in Community College of Philadelphia’s Nursing program. She passed and earned her associate degree. She and her 95 classmates now are studying for the NCLEX, the Nursing licensure exam for registered nurses.

During Tria’s educational journey, a brigade of faculty and staff helped find scholarship money when she fell behind on tuition; provided a stipend for the Nursing textbooks; provided a bus pass so she did not have to miss classes; lifted her spirits when anxiety set in and provided emergency funds at the point college seemed to have become an insurmountable challenge.

“When you have that little doubt on your shoulder, your village, well, they see you, they see all the talent you have, and they say, ‘What are you talking about? I know you. You can do this.’” Tria said. “They lifted the weight off my shoulders. When the stress is off, you can concentrate on doing well in your classes. I could never have done this without them.”

The financial hurdles were higher for Tria who had used up her financial aid during previous stints to become an accountant, a nurse’s aide and a LPN. So the scholarships provided through CCP’s Office of Institutional Advancement proved critical, especially the final one, the Scholarship to the Finish Line, which paid for her last semester.

Tria assembled her village as she met new faculty and reached out for resources. Each new person contributed, even the now retired security guard in the Mint Building whose smile Tria looked forward to seeing each day.

“Tria Jones was one of the most resilient students I have ever had,” says Julie Odell, an associate professor of English said. “Her plate was already full when she started class, but she knew where she was going and how to use every resource CCP offered her to make it happen. She asked for help when she needed it, and she got it. Her belief in herself, her love for her children, and her fierce desire for a better life drove her to success.”

Jeremiah White, Jr., chairman of the CCP Board of Trustees, says formal support networks are needed to increase college completion rates. The College recently established CCP Cares, where students can connect to resources by emailing the College confidentially and asking for help.

“Students need an ecosystem that supports them through daily life challenges by providing food, transportation, textbook stipends, child care and academic intervention that begins the moment that they fall behind in class,” White said during his recent testimony before City Council.

The Octavius Catto Scholarship proposed by the Kenney Administration and the College is designed to expand and deepen the ecosystem of support for CCP's students.

It is difficult, though necessary, for college students to serve as advocates for themselves, Tria says. When Tria was unable to afford her first-year textbooks for the Nursing Program, she walked into the office of the president, Dr Donald Guy Generals, to seek advice.

That is how she learned about KEYS (Keystone Education Yields Success), an initiative that provides men and women receiving public assistance with opportunities that can change their trajectory in life. The program exclusively serves Philadelphians who are receiving either Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

In the KEYS program, Tria found a ready-made network that was highly skilled at addressing classroom success as well as quality of life issues such as employment, housing insecurity, financial literacy and life skills.

“Oh my gosh. KEYS, they have just been a support in so many ways,” Tria said. “Whether it is receiving a book allowance for textbooks or helping with transportation to school, or just talking when doubts set in. The ladies in that office have really been there for me. Every student should be entitled to these supports. ‘’

KEYS also introduced students to academic mentors, who update them on academic resources and provided a quiet room with WIFI and computers where Tria could do homework and study.

Twenty students in the KEYS program graduated in May 2020; three of them, like Tria, completed the Nursing program. KEYS has had more than 250 of its students graduate; 56 of whom completed the CCP Nursing program, where entry-level salaries start at $59,000 a year.

One of the newest participants in KEYS was Tria’s daughter, Jannat Williams, who enrolled in College full time last fall, after participating in its Gateway to College, an alternative program for local high school students.

“As a nation, we often say we value higher education but we don’t always put the supports in for students to reach the goal line,” Tria said. “KEYS is doing that for me. It makes the college experience complete. Sometimes students like myself feel they can't join or participate because they don’t have the fees. KEYS removes those and so many other barriers.”

Now that she has graduated, Tria plans to continue her education at West Chester University, in the RN-BSN program. She has already started making phone calls, and creating her new village.

When first he enrolled at Community College of Philadelphia in 2017, Andreas Copes believed he wanted to pursue a degree in Liberal Arts and eventually end up in the field of public relations. Now, as he finishes up his associate degree at Community College of Philadelphia, Copes will move on to the next stage of his academic career having discovered a new career trajectory in journalism and media, and having earned multiple awards and scholarships, work experience and professional connections. An enthusiastic member of the College’s campus community, Copes embraced every opportunity to get involved on campus, proving that higher education can illuminate parts of ourselves we didn’t know existed, and lead us down new pathways.

Immigrating from Germany to Philadelphia in 2017, Andreas considered returning home to pursue his education. He only decided to stay in the United States when he met the man who would later become his husband. Copes chose to attend the College due to both its affordability as well as its diverse student body. “I know I don't look like it, but I'm 29...One thing that I was worried about was that I would only be around people that are 18 or 19,” said Copes. “If you come from another country into the school system or higher education system in America, it's easier to start at a community college...Not that [the classes] are easier, but it's a benefit that a community college in general has a more diverse student body.”

The College’s student body was one of the first things to influence Copes to begin inching away from PR. “I got to know so many people... I heard about their stories, that is actually also a reason why I want to go into journalism,” he said. “I want to tell the story of all people, to empower others to know that the struggle that they're going through isn't unique for that person.”

His approach to empowering his community has to do with both telling their stories and advocating for causes that inspire positive change. After joining the College’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter and becoming the Public Relations officer in 2019, he participated in the Honors in Action program with his fellow officers, researching and implementing methods to help inform and register voters, as well as encourage them to make it to the polls on voting day. Identifying as a feminist, Copes chose to focus on reproductive rights for his individual Honors in Action project. Working with Planned Parenthood, he organized an event at the College to spread awareness on the barriers that stand between women and their right to choose.

By embracing one on-campus opportunity after another, Andreas happened upon his first experience with journalism when he took a voice and articulation course with Professor Mary Conway in Spring 2019. “At that time they were looking for a new host for Focal Point. They were targeting students who had taken this class because we were trained in voice and articulation. And so I auditioned for the show, and got into it right away,” said Copes. Focal Point is a magazine show on the College’s TV channel, CCP-TV, that explores timely topics and campus happenings. Copes also runs the station’s media accounts.

The following summer, Copes used his experience to land a highly competitive internship at WHYY. He recalled, “I thought I had to have low expectations because I knew that there were students from Temple and Drexel applying for the internship…but I thought, ‘I'm a host of a TV show already. It's only the College's TV station, but I'm doing something in this direction.’ At that time, I was also producing my own podcast so I could show that as well. I just gave it a try and then I eventually made it to the internship.”

Taking on another season as a host of Focal Point, Copes brought to the table new knowledge and experience gained from his internship in order to take on a more significant role in the show’s production. “I got in touch with Alan Kobernick, who is the head of CCPTV, and told him that for the next season, I would like to be much more involved in production. So, we developed a plan on what kind of topics we wanted to touch on in this season, and I knew that I wanted to write the script—and that's how we started.”

Even after the campus has moved to remote learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Copes and his peers have found creative ways to keep both the show and their connection with the CCP community alive. “Ever since coronavirus and the lockdown, students in the digital video production curriculum produce their own segments with the material that they have, whether that's a semiprofessional camera or their cell phone camera. Then when we meet on Saturdays, they show me what they've prepared in regard to segments, so I have an idea of what it is about, and I write my script on that Saturday.”

In light of all his hard work Andreas received multiple scholarships this year. He was given an outstanding community college transfer scholarship from the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges (PACCC) as well as a scholarship from the Point Foundation, which is a national scholarship for LGBTQ students. This the Point scholarship also came with a trip to Los Angeles, where Copes and other recipients attended a symposium and workshop for college applications, as well as other educational events.

Copes will continue his education at Temple University in the fall in the Communication Studies major of distinction, which is “an academically rigorous program for students who wish to construct an interdisciplinary curriculum that meets their individual interests across the Klein [College of Media and Communication] departments.”

Andreas has learned a lot in his time at the College. One lesson he wants to share with the CCP community reflects the magnitude of all he was able to achieve in just a few short years. “Don't ever think that you're worth less just because you're going to a community college. It is as important as any other college and we should never forget that some of our professors are working at other colleges, whether that's Jefferson or Temple as well. And for the graduates. I just hope that pathway to success, the motto of CCP, will be a great one as well.”

Seven years ago, Brittany Halbsgut was a hairstylist on welfare, having to take shifts at the salon’s front desk just to make ends meet.

Her career was not where she expected it to be, prompting her to enroll at Community College of Philadelphia. “I Initially felt like college was not for me. But as I was thinking about where I was in life and what I wanted for myself, I decided it was time to go to college," she said. "I couldn’t move on with my life, couldn’t achieve what I wanted to achieve. I was exhausted and I was drained. I will always be passionate about cutting hair but it was not an industry where I could truly thrive and be my best self. ”

After refreshing her skills by taking remedial math, Brittany discovered⁠—much to her surprise⁠—that she, in fact, was college material. Enrolling at CCP “is absolutely the best decision I made for my education, my career and my life,” said Brittany, who graduated with an associate degree in Communication Studies from CCP in 2017 and was accepted at the University of Pennsylvania, an Ivy  League school. “If anyone, or even your children, would like to talk more about how to get started at #communitycollege from nothing, please reach out,” she recently wrote in a post on LinkedIn.

With so many college plans turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic, Brittany, who is an HR Manager for Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, decided to share her CCP experience with others on LinkedIn who might⁠—for the first time⁠—be facing life-changing decisions, as she did, and looking at community college as an option.

Brittany said she selected CCP largely due to its affordability, and its evening and weekend classes. 

After taking a few courses on campus, she discovered the convenience of online learning. "That made a huge difference," she said. "I felt less stress. I was able to balance my life. The online classes really changed my perspective. I felt CCP was giving me options that worked for my life.”

Her CCP course credits transferred over to the University of Pennsylvania, even though they were about a third of the cost of credits there, Brittany said, “As the future of traditional universities is changing, I encourage high school students to consider attending their community college at least for the first year, 

Brittany, like many others, is facing uncertainty in her life right now. That is why she recently took time to reflect upon her transformation, and why she feels that experience will continue to guide her. 

Since attending CCP, Brittany has changed careers, bought a house, traveled to Europe and received promotions at work. She credits CCP for everything she has. “I would not be where I am today if CCP hadn’t given me the opportunity to prove what I can do. It was exactly what I needed to build the life I wanted.”

Come December, she hopes to add one more credential to her resume: bachelor's degree in Organizational Studies from the University of Pennsylvania.

Every year the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges (PACCC) recognizes students across the state who display academic excellence and are active in their own campus community. Two of the 47 outstanding community college transfer scholarships were awarded to Community College of Philadelphia sophomores Andreas Copes and Kendall Stephens, with Copes being named to the All-Pennsylvania Academic Team and Stephens to the All-USA Community College Academic Team. Stephens was also distinguished as a Coca-Cola New Century Transfer Scholar, which is awarded to students who receive the highest All-USA Community College Team application scores in each state. Both All-Pennsylvania and All-USA Academic Team members receive a two-year tuition waiver for any school in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PSSHE).  

Dan Greenstein, the State System Chancellor, commented on the need for scholarships that encourage community college students to  achieve a bachelor's degree, saying “Workforce needs in Pennsylvania remain high and will likely be even higher in the months and years ahead. These students with their knowledge, skills, diligence, and humanity can help propel Pennsylvania toward a brighter future, and we’re grateful they chose the State System to be such a critical part of their journey.” 

Andreas Copes was born in Germany and immigrated to the US in 2017. On top of a 4.0 GPA, he is an active and engaged member of the campus community. As the Public Relations officer of the College’s Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society chapter, he organized an initiative to register Philadelphians to vote while providing them with information about candidates to enable informed decisions on election day. He has also collaborated with Planned Parenthood, throwing an event to raise money to protect a woman’s right to choose. Andreas is the host and writer of the CCP TV show "Focal Point" and he is also the station's social media manager. He is a member of the CCP Street Team, a group of students who regularly contribute to the College’s social media channels, and he will be attending Temple University in the fall to study Mass Media and Broadcast Journalism. 

For Kendall Stephens, 2020 has been a year full accolades, awards and recognition. Majoring in Behavioral Health/Human Services, Stephens is renowned for her community service, academic excellence, and the vision of inclusion and tolerance which she fights tirelessly to make reality. A transgender woman herself, Stephens has pushed past many of her own adversities and become an advocate for her peers in the LGBTQ+ community. An intern at Morris Home, a recovery center for trans and gender-nonconforming folks with addictions, she facilitates support groups and assists with yoga classes. She also works with William Way Community Center to co-facilitate a weekly support group for trans and gender-non-conforming people and was given the New Emerging Leader Award for her services last October. She serves on advisory boards for the Marc David LGBTQ Center at CCP, William Way Community Center and Mazzoni Center.  

 “Having that firsthand connection, it kind of gives me a unique perspective on how to combat some of the issues and challenges happening in the community,” she explained in a recent interview with the Philadelphia Sunday Sun. “Somebody right next to a problem may be the one that is able to find the solution.”  

Receiving the prestigious Coca-Cola New Century Transfer Scholarship from the PACCC, she will receive a $2,250 scholarship from the Coca-Cola Educational Foundation in addition to a two-year tuition waiver for the PSSHE school of her choosing. She has also received a full scholarship to Temple University, was recently named the 2020 Person of the Year by Philadelphia Gay News and was named one of eight 2020 DREAM Scholars by Achieving the Dream.  

By combining their own passions with the goal of improving their communities, Kendall Stephens and Andreas Copes are helping to make both the College and Philadelphia a better place to be. The College is honored to have two such driven and talented students in its student body, and believes them to be a perfect representation of how diversity can and should be a force which strengthens us as a whole. Just by lifting up their peers and fellow Philadelphians, Kendall and Andreas have garnered recognition on a national and state-wide level. These two CCP Lions show us that by practicing focus, compassion and dedication, individuals can always make a difference.   

Three health care programs at Community College of Philadelphia have donated life-saving equipment to local hospitals to support health care facilities and their colleagues working on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Respiratory Care Technology program, the Biomedical Equipment Technology (BMET)  program and the Nursing program at CCP have donated either ventilators or personal protective gear, both of which are in short supply and used to treat patients with the novel coronavirus.

The Respiratory Care Technology program has donated four ventilators and one BiPAP, which is a less invasive type of ventilator that helps patients keep breathing. The program uses the equipment to help students prepare for their upcoming respiratory therapy clinicals in hospitals. The BMET program donated its ventilator as well. Students in that program learn how to test and repair the medical equipment used in hospitals. The technicians  play a vital role by taking care of the medical devices that nurses, doctors and respiratory therapists use in caring for patients.

All five ventilators and the BiPaP are currently on loan to the Temple University Health System. Respiratory Care Program Director Lisa Fielding said that CCP respiratory care graduate Hernan Alvarado Jr. , currently an administrative director of respiratory care at Temple, contacted the College to see if it had equipment it could spare. Dr. Catherine Blaine, CCP’s director of clinical education, played a pivotal role in the donation. 

The Nursing program donated personal protective equipment packets, each including a hospital mask, gown and gloves to Jeanes Hospital and Fox Chase Cancer Center. 

"I was clearing out the lab and I said, “Hey, we could donate this,” said Michelle Nixon-Alicea, a Nursing instructor at CCP  who also teaches clinicals at Jeanes Hospital. A conversation led to the decision to donate 75 personal protective equipment packets each to Jeanes and Fox Chase. Nursing faculty use the protective gear to show students how to properly use and remove the garments, Nixon-Alicea said. 

Both Fielding and Nixon-Alicea said their programs enjoy close relationships with staff at area hospitals who help prepare students for the workplace by providing hands-on experience.

“We have a lot of friends out there on the frontlines,” Nixon-Alicea said. 

Fielding added, “Everything is on the line right now. The machines would be sitting there, not being used, so why not use them to help?”

Community College of Philadelphia 's Class of 2020 includes approximately 96 nursing students, 21 students in respiratory therapy and 15 students in the BMET program. 

Graduates strengthen Philadelphia's local economy and workforce—89 percent of recent graduates who were working at a job eight months after graduating from the College were employed in the Philadelphia metro area.

Over the years, Nursing has graduated more than 5,000 Nurses and Respiratory Care, formerly the Respiratory Technician and Therapist program, has graduated more than 1,000 students. 

In February, Kendall Stephens was one of eight community college students from Achieving the Dream (ATD) Network colleges chosen as 2020 DREAM Scholars, giving her and seven others the opportunity to participate in ATD’s 2020 DREAM Scholars program to enhance their leadership, critical thinking and networking skills. 

Each participating community college nominates a DREAM scholar. Nominees submit applications that ask them to reflect on their college journeys, and from there a rigorous selection process begins. It is no surprise that Community College of Philadelphia nominated Kendall, and that she was selected as one of eight 2020 DREAM Scholars in the entire nation. After all, the program is all about student leaders looking to make a difference on their campus and in their communities.

During DREAM, the students meet with community college leaders, share their educational experiences, and attend sessions on improving student success, institutional governance, teaching and learning, administration and more. The program culminated in a presentation by the DREAM Scholars to more than 2,000 community college leaders at ATD’s annual conference, DREAM, in National Harbor, Maryland from February 18-21, 2020. 

Early in March, Kendall was honored yet again when she was selected as a member of the 2020 All-USA Academic Team. Recognized as the top-scoring student from Pennsylvania in the program, she was also selected as New Century Transfer Pathway Scholar for Pennsylvania. Only 20 students from more than 2,000 nominations are named to the prestigious All-USA Academic Team. The Team is sponsored by Follett Higher Education Group, with additional support provided by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. 

Kendall embodies excellence as both an academic and a community advocate. She serves on several advisory boards, including the College’s LGBTQ Center, the Mazzoni LGBTQ Health Center and the William Way LGBTQ Recreational Center. Recently, Kendall was given William Way’s New Emerging Leader Award and she was named Person of the Year by Philadelphia Gay News. Her goal is to drive social justice and cultural awareness in the College community by spreading the message of inclusivity to students, faculty, board members and beyond. One day she hopes to become a social worker to help increase the visibility, inclusivity and acceptance of the trans community in mainstream society.

Some associate degree and certificate programs provide a less expensive and faster on-ramp to the middle class than a bachelor's degree, according to the findings in a new report from Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW).

According to the report, "The Overlooked Value of Certificates and Associate’s Degrees: What Students Need to Know Before They Go to College," the field of study a student selects greatly influences future earnings, as many of these programs are linked with specific occupations.

“Field of study matters most when it comes to certificates and associate degrees,” said Dr. Anthony P. Carnevale, lead author of the report and CEW director. “A worker with an associate’s degree can earn more than a worker with a bachelor’s degree, and shorter-term credentials like certificates and certifications can out-earn associate’s degrees.”

The combined number of certificates and associate degrees awarded by colleges is similar to the number of bachelor’s degrees awarded—around 2 million per year, the study found. Moreover, associate degree holders who studied engineering have median earnings between $50,001 and $60,000 per year, compared to workers with a bachelor’s degree in education, who have median earnings between $30,001 and $40,000 per year. Workers with certificates in construction trades and other blue-collar fields have median earnings that are as high as those of bachelor’s degree recipients in liberal arts and humanities (between $40,001 and $50,000).

Community College of Philadelphia offers more than 100 associate degree, academic and proficiency certificate programs. The College offers proficiency certificates in a number of occupations, including accounting paraprofessional, advanced automotive repair, architectural visualization, biomedical equipment, automotive service, culinary arts, computer programming and cybersecurity. Associate degrees also are offered for in-demand careers such as engineering science, computer science, dental hygiene and digital forensics.

Certificate and associate degree programs are linked strongly to careers—about 94 percent of certificates and 57 percent of associate degrees are awarded in career-oriented fields.

Other findings:

● Workers who report being employed in a job related to their certificate program have higher median earnings (between $40,001 and $50,000) than those who are not working in a related job (between $20,001 and $30,000)

● About 8 percent of workers have a certificate as their highest level of educational attainment, and 9 percent have an associate degree. An additional 15 percent of workers have some college but no credential

Building student pathways from certificate programs to associates and bachelor’s degree programs will help students better progress in their careers, the report concluded. But without an improved understanding of the educational and economic value of the full range of credentials on the middle-skills pathway, policymakers and higher education leaders risk formulating public policy that excludes a large segment of students.

Read the full report here.

Some associate degree and certificate programs provide a less expensive and faster on-ramp to the middle class than a bachelor's degree, according to the findings in a new report from Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW).

According to the report, "The Overlooked Value of Certificates and Associate’s Degrees: What Students Need to Know Before They Go to College," the field of study a student selects greatly influences future earnings, as many of these programs are linked with specific occupations.

“Field of study matters most when it comes to certificates and associate degrees,” said Dr. Anthony P. Carnevale, lead author of the report and CEW director. “A worker with an associate’s degree can earn more than a worker with a bachelor’s degree, and shorter-term credentials like certificates and certifications can out-earn associate’s degrees.”

The combined number of certificates and associate degrees awarded by colleges is similar to the number of bachelor’s degrees awarded—around 2 million per year, the study found. Moreover, associate degree holders who studied engineering have median earnings between $50,001 and $60,000 per year, compared to workers with a bachelor’s degree in education, who have median earnings between $30,001 and $40,000 per year. Workers with certificates in construction trades and other blue-collar fields have median earnings that are as high as those of bachelor’s degree recipients in liberal arts and humanities (between $40,001 and $50,000).

Community College of Philadelphia offers more than 100 associate degree, academic and proficiency certificate programs. The College offers proficiency certificates in a number of occupations, including accounting paraprofessional, advanced automotive repair, architectural visualization, biomedical equipment, automotive service, culinary arts, computer programming and cybersecurity. Associate degrees also are offered for in-demand careers such as engineering science, computer science, dental hygiene and digital forensics.

Certificate and associate degree programs are linked strongly to careers—about 94 percent of certificates and 57 percent of associate degrees are awarded in career-oriented fields.

Other findings:

● Workers who report being employed in a job related to their certificate program have higher median earnings (between $40,001 and $50,000) than those who are not working in a related job (between $20,001 and $30,000)

● About 8 percent of workers have a certificate as their highest level of educational attainment, and 9 percent have an associate degree. An additional 15 percent of workers have some college but no credential

Building student pathways from certificate programs to associates and bachelor’s degree programs will help students better progress in their careers, the report concluded. But without an improved understanding of the educational and economic value of the full range of credentials on the middle-skills pathway, policymakers and higher education leaders risk formulating public policy that excludes a large segment of students.

Read the full report here.

Ayanna Washington, director of Career Connections, wants Community College of Philadelphia students to have an edge in their job searches, so she began collecting new or gently worn career clothing for them to wear on job interviews.

"We want our students to have every advantage," said Washington, whose staff offers individual appointments, seminars, career fairs and other activities that show students how to plan, strategize and achieve their career goals. The College's students are able to visit the career closet, located at the entrance of the Career Connections Center, to pick out a free outfit each semester that is suitable for office wear.

Community College of Philadelphia received so many clothing donations that Washington eventually needed a larger clothes rack and additional space. After receiving approval to expand the initiative, she decided to involve the students in the College’s Architecture, Design and Construction (ADC) program in the planning process.

Paula Behrens R.A., a professor in the Architecture, Design and Construction Department, and Betsy Masters, AIA, AFAAR, coordinator for the ADC Architecture and Interior Design programs, both assigned their classes—ADC 209 and ADC 259—the task of developing designs for the new space.

“I asked Paula and Betsy to get their classes involved," Washington said. "What they were able to produce and the level of work was nothing short of amazing. I had tears in my eyes while watching the class presentations.”

Working in teams, CCP's architecture students produced designs shown in drawings and in architectural models, supplementing the presentations with sample fabrics, paint color schemes, lighting layouts and fixtures, and more. Each team incorporated unique and interesting details such as hanging garment racks, built-in shelves, spacious dressing rooms, and ceiling accents.

The class began their assignment, as professional architects might do, with a tour of the space and a meeting with Washington to discuss her vision.

Masters and Behrens were impressed with the students’ work, and by their final presentations. “I was also blown away on that project because I really had no idea what to expect in so short a time, “Behrens said. “They got not only the design up to a good level, but they also produced drawings that were excellent. They each developed a different design approach and presented them in complete and well-thought out ways.”

“The presentations communicate the designs really clearly and look beautiful," Masters added. "Through design we articulated a vision for what Ayanna really wants. We learned it wasn't really a closet after all. It's a boutique for career clothing.”

Masters said the student designs were graded on a number of factors: Does the space work? Do the materials work? Do the colors work? Does the lighting work with the space? Does it meet the client’s needs?

Nicole Gonzalez, one of the students in Masters’ class, said she enjoyed the collaboration with classmates and the challenges that accompanied a one-week project deadline. “It feels great to be part of change," Gonzalez said

The next step is to cost out the teams' proposals, and find funding to cover the construction work. Meanwhile, the college community is invited to take a look at all the design boards, which are posted on the second floor of the West Building, behind the architecture program's suite of offices and on the wall of the Mint Building.

The architecture students left behind a lot more than project boards last semester—they left a legacy.

"I'm all for changing things for the better...making things simple for people, "Gonzalez said. "If we can do that, make it an easy process, simple, then that's the best feeling!”

On Friday, January 17, Community College of Philadelphia professor Pascal Scoles was honored with the 2020 American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Dale P. Parnell Faculty Distinction Recognition. Named for a former AACC President, this award highlights the dedication and achievement of professors who work to make a positive impact within their schools and communities. Professors who are given this award display a strong passion and support for students inside and outside of the classroom, participate in campus committees and programs, and “go above and beyond what is required to ensure that students are successful in their academic endeavors.''

With over fifty years of experience in his field, Scoles has become known at Community College of Philadelphia and beyond as a leading voice in the movement toward providing trauma-informed care for students with substance abuse and mental health issues. He worked as coordinator of the Behavioral Health/Human Services program from 1999 until 2012, when he became the director of the Office of Collegiate Recovery Services. Now, Scoles helps remove the obstacles that stand in the way of higher education for students in recovery. Under his guidance, the program has expanded over the years to include “weekly peer-to-peer group meetings, individual coaching/mentoring sessions, support meetings, 12-step meetings, structured activities on and off campus, and access to the College’s many support services, including career counseling and tutoring.” He has been a full-time professor of Behavioral Health/Human Services at the College since 2003 and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a doctorate in Addictions and Health from the University of Pennsylvania.

With a CV that includes the publication of three textbooks and over 45 articles on addiction and recovery, Scoles has spread his passion and knowledge far beyond our campus. He has provided consulting services to treatment facilities, city and state governments, and criminal justice systems, as well as psychotherapy to chemically dependent individuals and their families. This work has earned him a number of awards throughout his career, including the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Meritorious Service Award in 1983, the Impact Corp. Lifetime Achievement Award in Veteran’s Services in 2007, and the City of Philadelphia Faith and Spirituality Award in 2015, among others.

 What Scoles is perhaps most known for throughout the College’s campus community is his CCPTV series “Tapestry of Life.” Having hosted and co-produced over 70 episodes since 2011, this program sheds light on the inner workings of addiction and mental health treatment, and holds a microphone to the voices of those who experience these things within Philadelphia.

The AACC Dale P. Parnell Faculty Distinction Recognition award distinguishes teachers who not only exemplify excellence in an academic setting, but who also work outside the classroom to help their students achieve success. While success can mean getting good grades or graduating to some, to others, it can mean getting through the day without slipping on the path to sobriety. Scoles distinguishes himself from other educators not only in the support that he provides to students, but in his constant search for ways to improve and innovate the services which they rely on to change their lives. These innovations can be encapsulated in one of his guiding philosophies; that education can be “a vehicle to and through sobriety.” A native Philadelphian, Scoles’ career embodies his faith in the people of this city, and the College’s mission to provide an education to all of its citizens, no matter where they come from. With this, Scoles gives recovering students the tools to expand the horizon of what they believe to be within the realm of possibilities.