The Value of Education: Daniel Emdin’s Story

For Daniel Emdin, Community College of Philadelphia helped him find a way to link his passion for the sciences with his passion for public service. While he has always recognized his love of science and service work, it was his experiences at CCP that helped him realize a way to blend the two. “During my time at CCP, I've had the chance to get myself out there in the community, specifically community service work or being a servant leader,” Daniel said. After graduating from the College, Daniel plans to continue his education and eventually work to become a physician policymaker so he can help patients while also shaping the essential systems that help marginalized communities.

“I've always been involved in leadership positions since a young age,” Daniel said. “So, when I came over at CCP, I really had the main goal of trying to take advantage of as many resources as I could.” Daniel quickly became involved in several student organizations, including Student Government Association (SGA) and Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society, where he serves as president of both organizations; and he is the president and co-founder of the College’s chapter of the American Chemical Society. He also received student support as a Catto Scholar and through the Center for Male Engagement. Through the Institute for Community Engagement and Civic Leadership, he volunteered to help others with the Project Career Launch Mentorship Program.

“My time at CCP has been one where I've just kind of like made sure that I'm not missing anything, essentially,” Daniel said. Because of his strong involvement at CCP, Dainel feels even more prepared to enter a four-year college environment and find success. After graduating from the College, he plans to transfer and complete a bachelor’s degree in either a STEM discipline or Public Health.

In addition to Daniel being a CCP Lion, his brother and mom have also attended CCP. “I said CCP is our second home at this point,” Daniel said. The Emdins are proud to be a CCP family. Daniel’s brother, David Emdin, was the first to enroll at CCP. He graduated in 2024 with an associate degree in Biology and received a Jack Kent Cooke scholarship to attend Holy Family University the following fall semester.

“He was really the one who opened our eyes to see what CCP had to offer,” said Daniel of his brother. “Because not only would he tell us about the changes that he's had over his period of time being here, but we, my family, also kind of saw those changes on a personal level, right?” Once the rest of the family saw how much David grew and prospered at CCP, they became curious to see what it could offer them, too.

Daniel’s brother David also encouraged Daniel to apply for the Jack Kent Cooke scholarship. “So, I applied, I went for, I just kind of, you know, told my authentic story,” Daniel said. A few months later, Daniel was delighted to learn that he was selected as a semifinalist for the opportunity. “It feels, like, words can't even describe how I felt when I saw the notification,” Daniel said. “It feels incredible, because...growing up, I didn't really believe in education. I thought that I would be someone who would focus more on work. And I also faced a lot of rejections growing up. So, I didn't really believe that my story had value, or my experiences had value in that kind of sense.”

Daniel is grateful for his time at CCP and for the community here that has shown him the value of education. “There's also special value in community college education,” he said. “So, thank you to the community. Thank you to the faculty, staff, the board of trustees, and everyone who I've known personally and interacted with, because they've all played a crucial role to who I am as a person, both as a student, but also as an individual.”