A Place to Land Safely: Sierra Akers, CCP Alum and Diversity Fellow
For Sierra Akers, a CCP alum and current Diversity Fellow in Behavioral Health and Human Services, the College is more than just an institution of higher education; it’s home. “At times, where I've needed some place to land safely and feel comfortable, I've come back to CCP,” Akers said. “Whether it was to go to school or to come back and get resources, and now even as an employee.” Through the Diversity Fellowship program, Sierra is receiving valuable teaching experience and mentoring as CCP works to increase faculty diversity. As we celebrate 60 years as a learning institution, we also celebrate lifelong connections with alum like Akers, one of several graduates who now work at the College.
“I'll tell you, my greatest memory from CCP really is the community that I built here,” Akers said. “My best friend, Marion Whaley, and I met here in the back of one of our [Behavioral Health and Human Services] classes, and we have continued to do life together.” It’s connections like these that make this place feel like home to so many students, faculty and staff.
But Sierra has taken more than just friends and knowledge from her time here at CCP. She’s gained a perseverance that’s helped her throughout her career and life in general. “CCP taught me to keep going, to just try again. If it doesn't work the first time, a do-over is not a failure,” she said. It’s this persistent attitude that brought Akers back to CCP as a Diversity Fellow and what will keep her connected as she moves forward in her career. "It prepared me to meet plenty of barriers in the world, but also how to pivot and keep going no matter what.”
Categories: 60th Anniversary
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Roary’s Cubhouse Gives Student Parents a Place to Study While Their Children Play
In October 2025, CCP unveiled a new study space made specifically for student parents/caregivers, a project meant to increase belonging and help more students succeed. Located in the Library and Learning Commons on Main Campus, Roary’s Cubhouse is equipped with study materials, desks, and computers for students and toys, games, child-safe furniture, and more for children.
“Roary’s Cubhouse represents a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to supporting student parents and caregivers,” said Dr. Alycia Marshall, president of Community College of Philadelphia. “This new family-friendly study space is designed to empower students with children to pursue their academic and career goals while managing the responsibilities of parenting. We created this space to provide comfort, connection, and a sense of community—for our students and their young children.”
Parenting students at CCP no longer have to choose between study time and caregiving responsibilities. Students can reserve this space online to use whenever they are on campus.
Alum and Former Athletic Director – Ollie Johnson
From a student athlete at CCP and Temple to a career in the NBA, where he played for the 76ers among other teams, Ollie Johnson returned to the College in 1991 as the assistant director of Athletics, where he had the opportunity to help students acquire the same skills at CCP that had shaped his journey. As part of the 1969 CCP championship team that won both the Eastern Pennsylvania Community College Athletic Conference and the Greater Philadelphia Junior College Conference, Ollie honed his leadership and teamwork skills while at the College.
The ‘linked destinies’ of teachers and students
Educators and their students share a powerful link. That’s the teaching philosophy of Njemele Tamala Anderson, CCP alum and award-winning English teacher at Science Leadership Academy at Beeber. It’s an idea she shares when coaching new teachers.