When it comes to cleaning, Jonathan Williams, 21, has one piece of advice:  "Work smarter, not harder."

He takes his own advice—almost. That's because Jonathan, who works smart, also works hard.

Jonathan runs his own professional cleaning business, Chestnut Hill Cleaning Co., which he started while only a junior at Central High School. He just finished up his last semester at the College, graduating on May 5 with an Associate in Arts degree in Business.

If taking college classes and running a business doesn’t sound hectic enough, each Thursday, Jonathan mentors 15 to 20 middle-school students in business through a nonprofit he started, the "Sky is the Limit Entrepreneurial Program."

Working hard comes naturally to him. The working smart part comes in Jonathan's ability to utilize the lessons he learned through his course work at the College and through attending "Power Up Your Business," the College's neighborhood-based training and peer-learning program for small businesses like the one Jonathan currently runs in Chestnut Hill.

"When I was 16 and starting my own business, I didn't have any mentors," he said. "I just wanted to find a way to make money."

The Power Up program, which he attended at the Northwest Regional Center, helped him understand the fundamentals of branding. "I do a lot of personal marketing," Williams said, so he appreciates the opportunity to understand and perfect his elevator pitch, a 60-second spiel about his business. "It's a creative way to catch people very quickly."

Dr. Donald Guy Generals said the College community congratulates Jonathan for his work in class and in his neighborhood. “Small businesses like Jonathan’s serve to stabilize commercial corridors and increase the vitality and livability of Philadelphia. He’s a job creator, and he’s not yet out of college.”

On campus, business instructor Jerel Ruttenberg's advice has resonated with Jonathan. Ruttenberg and Jonathan's mother, Jasime Williams, sat in the VIP box at commencement, waiting for Jonathan's moment to cross the stage.

"He was emotionally supportive," Jonathan said of Ruttenberg. "I was going through a rough time and he was there." But Jonathan, the business man, doesn't linger long with emotions. He credits Ruttenberg with helping him learn how to price his services so that people from his Chestnut Hill neighborhood knew he had a serious business and "wasn't just a kid shoveling snow."

For his part, Ruttenberg said he "thinks the world of Jonathan. He had his head on straight and he really knew what he wanted to do. Most kids at 18 years of age, the future is lunch, but he had his eye on the ball. He wanted to grow his business and he just needed some guidance."

Jonathan pointed out that many of his former classmates at Central are now finishing their four-year degrees, while he nearly didn't graduate from the College. "I had to take a year off from school," he said. "If I wanted to build my business, I had to work at it full time." Now his profitable business keeps five independent contractors busy cleaning churches, schools and businesses, mostly in the Chestnut Hill area. He landed one of his clients, a barber, after meeting him in the Power Up program they both attended in May 2017.

"He's a great cleaner," said Shaun Miller, the Power Up graduate who runs The Art Shop, a combination barbershop and art gallery in Chestnut Hill.

Jonathan isn't sure whether he'll continue his studies. At this point, he feels that knowledge he gained at the College and through Power Up, plus the mentoring and connections he makes through the Chestnut Hill Business Association, provide the networks needed to take his company to the next level. "I'm planning on continuing my business and figuring out school slowly," he said. "I feel like I learn a lot more from business mentors than from being in a classroom."

There's one thing that's certain: "I don't want to work for anybody in my whole life," he said. Ultimately, Jonathan aims to run an international conglomerate. "I want to be the first trillionaire," he said. "No one else has done it, so why can't I?"

Margaret Stephens, associate professor of Social Science, teaches environmental conservation and geography, connecting lessons in the classroom to issues within the city.

The approach, called service-learning, fosters a sense of ownership in students and gives them a role in bettering society.

When State Representative Donna Bullock and a panel of environmental leaders from across the city came to the College’s Main Campus on March 20, 2018, to discuss green jobs and ways to combat environmental injustice, Stephens’ class was in the room soaking in the differing views and learning strategies.

Tykee James, a legislative assistant for Rep. Bullock and co-coordinator of the event, said he was especially excited to see the sea of new faces in the crowd.

“Normally when I do these kind of environmental events across the city of Philadelphia, a lot of the people that I see are a lot of the people that I have seen—they work in this industry or they’ve already been an established advocate,” says James. “There’s no up and comer, there’s no sprouts. And so I want to see what I can do to help develop this new generation. It’s part of the principle of lifting as we climb.”

Many of the students in Professor Stephens’ environmental conservation class expressed a genuine interest in the topic and a desire to have an impact.

Kamise Rodriguez, a sophomore preparing to graduate on May 5 with an associate degree Culinary Arts, hopes to find a way to address the issue of food waste in the restaurant industry. Events like this, she says, provide yet another opportunity outside of the classroom to get started.

"College-aged students are interested in the environment, but they don't always know how to connect, what avenues are out there, and what can be done. So, I do think it's important for the College to provide that [message of]: here's what you can do on a local level to make a difference,” she says.

Samantha Thompson, a Paralegal Studies major, is passionate about what she identifies as the deterioration of biodiversity. Through the required service-learning project in Stephens’ class, she had the opportunity to volunteer at the 2018 Philadelphia Flower Show. The experience was an exciting one that deepened her knowledge of vegetation.

"I want to address this environmental issue with everybody, not just within the school. So [through service-learning] I'm getting [to do] both,” says Thompson.

She adds that Stephens’ class, and access to events like the Environmental Justice Panel event, offer more than a fundamental understanding of science.

"A lot of times...when [people] think about environmental science, they think of statistics, carbon—the scientific side of it. But they don’t understand the political, economic, or communal side of it. And that's really important to address, that way more people can get involved."

For Jym Baker, a soon-to-be graduate who is among the city’s legions of returning citizens, his strong desire to empower others and build a sense of shared community led him to check out the event. He also had hoped to learn more about the green jobs, which were promoted at the table manned by staff from Career Connections.

"I was real excited about the event because of the information at the tables. I took it back to my agency, which is The Center for Carceral Communities,” says Baker, who is a mentor and co-facilitator at the center.

He said he was able to connect there with Solar States, a Certified B-Corporation founded in 2008 “with a dual mission to install solar and educate the next generation.” He hopes his new connection will help. 

"Me being an unconventional student in my 50s... it's given me a sense of worth—to find these things out,” says Baker. “A lot of [which is learning] how to navigate through the academic and social aspect of college, so this is some cool stuff!"

Troy Bundy, a father and husband who leads the Community College of Philadelphia's Student Government Association, and Coby Dulitzki, a business owner and biomedical sciences major who dreams of becoming a doctor, have been honored as two of the state's top community college students for their scholarly achievements and community involvement.

Bundy and Dulitzki, members of the 2018 All-Pennsylvania Academic Team, were honored April 9th in Harrisburg by the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, the largest and most prestigious honor society for community college students. Forty-six students from across the state were recognized.

Both men are among the members of the College’s Class of 2018, which will graduate at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 5, 2018 at the Liacouras Center, 1776 N. Broad Street.  

Bundy, 50, who holds a 3.88 grade point average, will graduate from Community College of Philadelphia with a degree in Behavioral Health and Human Services. He plans to transfer to West Chester University with aspirations to earn a master's degree in social work.

"In my new life, I work extra hard for the positive reward of helping others," said Bundy, who draws on his experience as a former addict to counsel individuals in addiction recovery. "I think I've had a good impact on students here. They ask for my suggestions and talk to me about their personal and academic lives."

Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2012, Bundy is a father, husband, grandfather and son who takes care of two family members. He attributes his success to his college professors and to the site administrator at the College's West Regional Center, who urged Bundy to run for student government.

"I always thought of myself as a follower, not a leader," he said. "To my surprise, I had a lot of leadership qualities that I did not realize."

As a two-term president of the Student Government Association, Bundy earned the Association's Outstanding Service Award.  He also received the My Brother's Keeper Award from the College's Center for Male Engagement, where he serves as a mentor to help young men accomplish their academic goals. College President Donald Guy Generals recognized Bundy, a work-study student, for his efforts in establishing the College's food pantry which assists food-insecure students.

Dulitzki, 25, works with the Baltimore Avenue Business Association of West Philadelphia when he is not in classes. His story is one of grit and perseverance as he started his massage company to help him to pay for a college education. At one point, he found himself homeless.

"Attending community college has allowed me to progress in my degree... while taking on many other roles in the City. I created, own and maintain a thriving massage practice, serve on the board of the Baltimore Avenue Business Association, [and] teach at the Philadelphia School of Massage and Bodywork. Being able to excel in all these roles is due to the flexibility and accessibility offered by a community college education," he said.

Dulitzki majors in the biological and biomedical sciences and maintains a 3.94 grade point average. He plans to transfer to a four-year college with the goal of promoting wellness practices in healthcare as an osteopathic medical physician with a master's degree in public health.

"Given my intention and abilities, I would make the greatest impact by positively influencing our public health policy as a physician in a way that promotes access to health and wellness education," he said.

His belief in wellness was evident on campus where Dulitzki organized events exposing his fellow students to yoga, Qi Gong, and massage therapy, "all of which were almost entirely new to nearly everyone in attendance," he said. He is also working on a patent for an ergonomic design to resolve a common pattern of symptoms he noticed in his clients.  

At the College, Dulitzki is a contributor, organizing Facebook groups for each class, "because I've learned that especially higher-level sciences require a collaborative process." And on Baltimore Avenue, he has learned to help himself and his business, Live Vitality Massage, while also helping others through the Business Association, where he serves as membership director.

For consideration to the statewide academic team, students must serve their communities and maintain at least a 3.5 grade point average. Team members are eligible for scholarships that fund up to two years of tuition in a baccalaureate program at any of the state system's 14 colleges.

Community College of Philadelphia and Parx Casino recently announced a diversity partnership that will help fund support services for students who are veterans, LGBTQ, women and members of underserved communities.

The partnership, which includes a gift in the amount $102,000 over three years from Parx, is designed to guide and mentor students who often face constant personal, emotional and academic hurdles while in college.

In addition, employees from Parx Casino will personally mentor students from these areas.

“The College is addressing the disparities in student success with promising practices tailored to support students’ individual needs, including those that provide bridges to degree completion and supports that anchor students when tough times arrive,” said Dr. Donald Guy Generals, president of the College. “Students need to have an environment that is conducive to their interests, that is sensitive to their needs and really paves the way and enlightens them to the importance of doing well, not just in the classroom, but in preparation for going into the classroom.”

Ron Davis, director of Diversity and Community Affairs at Parx Casino and one of the growing legions of current and former NFL players now tackling educational equity, has been mentoring young men at the College for several years.

He sees the same potential in them that others once saw in him. “I was one of those students. I went to Virginia State University. I was a "C" student in college and somebody reached out to me and helped me, so this is a way of giving back,” Davis said. “We have a responsibility to share our success with the community. We’ve done that since we opened our doors in 2006. Corporate responsibility is community responsibility…we’re hoping that other corporations join this initiative at some point to help begin a gateway of growth within the College’s community.”

When Philadelphia Mayor James F. Kenney released his comprehensive workforce strategy last month, he urged the city’s corporate leaders to get involved in the community and find ways to address the underlying barriers that hinder access to career opportunities.

“Parx Casino has gone far beyond providing scholarships and funding,” Dr. Generals said. “They bring caring leaders to our campus who make a huge difference in our students’ lives.”

During the celebration, Ismail Ebo, a recent graduate of the College who gained mentors and advocates at the College’s Center for Male Engagement (CME), said these programs instill confidence, and provide a vital support network.

“They put faith in us as young men who, if left to the system, would be out in the street or in jail,” he said.

When Hazim Hardeman arrived on Community College of Philadelphia's campus in 2012, he had no idea that he was destined to become a Rhodes scholar, an honor that provides him entry into one of the most prestigious universities in the world.

The University of Oxford is a long way from North Philadelphia, where he grew up at 23rd and Diamond streets, providing a near clear view of Temple University and always reminding him that opportunity was but a few steps eastward, beyond him.

Those steps, however, weren't as simple and easy as the actual walk to Temple's campus. Hardeman graduated from high school with a 2.3 GPA, which delayed his enrollment eligibility into to Temple. Determined to rise above the adversity that surrounded him, he took a step south and enrolled in the College with the goal of raising his GPA.

During his time here, he did that and more.

"The rigorous academic experience, the opportunity to be involved in student life, and professors who are willing to invest in students have really been the main things to shape my experience at the College," said Hardeman.

He worked hard to contribute to the learning community both in and out of the classroom, discovering various paths to success along the way. His hunger for knowledge and academic success led to an induction into the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society, and his natural leadership skills resulted in his election as the 2nd vice president of the student body.

Frank Fritz, assistant professor of English/Honors curriculum, remembers Hardeman as being "self-motivated, possessing a drive to improve."

"Hazim ... was always willing to enter the conversations to test his own thinking," said Fritz. "[He] welcomed the challenge and in particular was motivated to push the development of his own thinking."

Hardeman’s participation in the College’s Honors program, which is designed especially for students who plan to advance into professional life and attend competitive four-year schools, has left him grateful for the learning environment at the College.

"What makes Community College of Philadelphia special [is that] there's people that are coming from such a wide array of backgrounds ... you get a chance to have a dialogue with people who have experiences that are totally different than yours, but ultimately it's productive because it lets you know that there's more than one way to exist in the world."

In 2015, Hardeman received his associate's degree in Communication Studies with High Honors. That same year, he enrolled at Temple University and majored in Strategic Communications. In 2017, he graduated magna cum laude and has now made history as the first student at the university to become a Rhodes Scholar. The scholarship will cover all expenses for two to three years of study so that he can obtain his master's degree.

When he reflects back on the role that the College played in his development and success, it's become more than a steppingstone.

"It's not just a sort of a steppingstone, it's a place where you can go and grow just like any other place," said Hardeman.

The College's question "where will you go?" is one that follows students beyond their time here. Hardeman can yet again answer that question with confidence.

He is going to the University of Oxford.

Jarell Currie, who goes by the stage name, Black Cancer (a.k.a. Brave Lion Applying Concrete Knowledge Consume All Necessities Courageous Encouraging Rebel), connected to Drop the Mic after attending the spoken word poetry workshop at the College in 2007.