Community College of Philadelphia Ranks as One of the Top Colleges Nationally for Awarding Degrees to Minorities

PHILADELPHIA, June 16, 2003 - Community College of Philadelphia is 16th in the top 100 colleges and universities ranked by number of degrees awarded to minorities for the 2001-2002 academic year according to a survey in the June issue of Black Issues in Higher Education.

According to the survey, 63% of graduates were minorities, up 15% from last year. The survey also reported that the College graduated almost twice as many women minority students than men.

In addition to an increase in minority students from the City and region, the College has a large and growing number of students from over 175 countries, with international enrollments continuing to increase at an annual rate of over 20 percent.

Enrollment in the College's distance education courses has also grown as the College expands its Internet, teleconference and television course offerings. This past year, distance education enrollment increased by more than 60 percent. Several hundred unemployed Philadelphians have participated in the College's Opportunity Now program, which offers a free semester to laid-off workers.

Community College of Philadelphia offers over 72 career and transfer programs at its main campus and three Regional Centers. Since its founding in 1964, more than 1.2 million men and women have achieved their educational and career goals at the College.