For Immediate Release

Contact: Anthony Twyman
Public Relations Coordinator
Community College of Philadelphia
Office: (215) 751-8082
atwyman@ccp.edu

College Awared $1.6 Million Dollar Grant

Student Information Systems to Benefit

PHILADELPHIA, PA, September 29, 2003 - Community College of Philadelphia has been awarded more than $1.6 million by the U.S. Department of Education to strengthen student information services over the next five years. The College is in the process of implementing a new system which will enhance its ability to deliver online recruitment and admissions, financial aid, registration, course and curriculum management over the Internet.

An imaging system, portal, and voice response modules will give the College the ability to offer web-based services that bring College services to students, staff and faculty at any Internet-connected computer. It will make user-friendly options such as registration and drop/add possible by way of a centralized channel for everything from campus announcements to customized portal pages.

"The grant from the Department of Higher Education makes it possible for us to deliver the convenience today's student needs," said Stephen M. Curtis, president of Community College of Philadelphia. He also noted that community colleges typically enroll large numbers of adult students who need the expanded access of college services to fit into their busy schedules.

Receiving the grant will ultimately improve the College's retention rates, financial aid processing, and enhance faculty / student communication.

Community College of Philadelphia was one of 75 colleges and universities chosen for the prestigious award from more than 300 national applicants. The 100-page proposal submitted for the highly competitive award received 99 percent out of a possible 100 points.