For Immediate Release

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

COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF PHILADELPHIA HOSTS CAREER WORKSHOPS AND OPEN HOUSES AT ITS THREE NEIGHBORHOOD REGIONAL CENTERS

PHILADELPHIA, September 13, 2006- Residents who want to sharpen their skills, increase their earning potential or enroll in College for the first time should not miss the open houses and career workshops at Community College of Philadelphia's three Regional Centers.

The events will be held at the Northeast Regional Center, 12901 Townsend Road, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, September 21; at the West Philadelphia Regional Center, 4725 Chestnut Street, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 23; and at the Northwest Regional Center, 1300 W. Godfrey Avenue, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, September 26.

Each of the College's Regional Centers has tailored a day of activities to best meet the needs of the neighborhood in which it is located. The open houses and career workshops are part of an exciting series of events to launch the College's new brand initiative -- a multi-media, integrated marketing initiative designed to inform the business community, civic leaders, government officials, students and the general public about the College's high quality courses and programs.

Members of the business community have been invited to attend a breakfast at the Northeast Regional Center, hosted by the College and the Northeast Chamber of Commerce, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., September 21. Following the breakfast, the general public can attend an open house from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at which information will be provided about the associate degree programs offered at the center, including: Accounting; Business; Culture, Science and Technology; Education; Justice; Liberal Arts; and Management.

"It's convenient for people and it's close to their homes and close to their jobs," Kathleen Mulray, director of the Northeast Regional Center, said of the opportunities the center provides for neighborhood residents.

The Northeast Regional Center also will host a mini-job fair from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., September 21. Students and the general public will be able to interview for jobs with area employers such as the Philadelphia Police Department, the Pennsylvania Armory National Guard, United Parcel Service, the Philadelphia Federal Credit Union, Homestead Senior Care and other companies.

The West Philadelphia Regional Center will kick off its open house, education and career workshop for adults with an invitation-only stakeholders' breakfast at 9 a.m., September 23. It will be followed at 10:30 a.m. by workshops on topics such as financing your education, juggling family, work and College responsibilities, and preparing a portfolio of your life accomplishments. Following the workshops, there will be an open house from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., during which the general public can explore the possibility of enrolling in one of the more than 70 degree and certificate programs at the College.

The Northwest Regional Center will begin its open house, education, access and persistence workshops at 11 a.m., September 26. The center will hold a series of roundtable discussions for students from area high schools such as Central, Olney, and Girls High, on topics such as "How to Stay in College" and "Making Math Fun." Juniors and seniors also will have the opportunity to take a placement test for admission to the College after they graduate.

"We definitely are an asset to the neighborhood," said Anthony Driggers, the center's site administrator. "It's like being in a small college, although we're still part of the College as a whole." The Regional Center events complement the Explore Your Possibilities Open House, Career and Job Fair that will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., September 20 at the Center for Business and Industry on the College's main campus at 18th and Callowhill streets. This event will feature mini-workshops on Microsoft Office and business communication skills. Preceding the event, the College will launch its brand initiative at 10 a.m. in the CBI lobby.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21: Northeast Regional Center, 12901 Townsend Road
8:00 a.m. Northeast Chamber of Commerce breakfast (invitation only)
2:00 - 5:00 p.m. Open House - high school and college students will receive information about the College's associate's degree programs and financial aid
5:00 - 8:00 p.m. Mini Job Fair featuring employers such as the Philadelphia Police Department, the Pennsylvania Armory National Guard, United Parcel Service, the Philadelphia Federal Credit Union and Homestead Senior Care

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23: West Philadelphia Regional Center, 4725 Chestnut Street
9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Open House: Education and Career workshops for Adults. Mini-workshops will be held concurrently from 10:30 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. on topics such as Financing Your Education and Surviving and Thriving in College

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26: Northwest Regional Center, 1300 W. Godfrey Avenue
11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Open House: Education, Access and Persistence - Workshops for students from area high schools on topics such as "How to Stay in College" and "Making Math Fun"