Rhythm and RISE to Honor Alum, Faculty, Staff with Awards

At Rhythm and RISE, Community College of Philadelphia’s 60th anniversary celebration and fundraising event, members of the community will be honored with distinguished awards, recognizing their contributions to the College in different capacities. We are excited to present these awards to the following individuals to celebrate their hard work and dedication to bettering our community.

RISE Lifetime Achievement Award – Ms. Patti LaBelle

American R&B Singer and Actress

Beautiful, simply does not describe the incomparable force known to the world as Patti LaBelle. As time continues to evolve, the soulful songbird’s name has become synonymous with grace, style, elegance and class.  Belting out classic rhythm and blues renditions, pop standards and spiritual sonnets have created the unique platform of versatility that she is known and revered for.

It’s a small wonder that Patti has time for anything else in between recording and touring, but she makes time and the world is oh so happy that she does!  She has written six books, Don’t Block the Blessings, LaBelle Cuisine: Recipes to Sing About, Patti’s Pearls, Patti LaBelle’s Lite Cuisine, Recipes for the Good Life and Desserts LaBelle. Recently, Patti released a 20th anniversary edition of her New York Times’ bestselling cookbook, LaBelle Cuisine, featuring three new recipes.

Although she is an award-winning entertainer, author and entrepreneur, Patti’s work as a humanitarian is just as noteworthy. She remains an advocate for adoption, diabetes, cancer, HIV / AIDS and many other causes and nonprofit initiatives.  While she has reached the heights of success throughout her 60-plus year career, Patti has also endured and survived personal strife. Within a ten-year period, she lost her mother, three sisters and best friend to diabetes and cancer. In 1994, she was diagnosed with diabetes and shortly thereafter became a spokesperson for the American Diabetes Association.

RISE Alumni Achievement Award – Tia Watson

Vice President, Office of Advocacy, Public Policy and Legislative Affairs at Urban League of Greater Philadelphia

Tia Watson graduated from CCP in 2008 with an associate degree in Communications. She currently serves as Vice President of Advocacy, Public Policy and Legislative Affairs at the Urban League of Greater Philadelphia, but she has more than 20 years of leadership experience across public policy, government affairs, community engagement and organizational strategy. Throughout her career, she has worked at the intersection of mission, people and systems—helping organizations and community stakeholders navigate complexity, build strong partnerships, and turn vision into action.

In her current role, Tia has a strong focus on coalition building, community and civic engagement, partnerships, internal team alignment and strategy, and legislative affairs. She is especially passionate about leadership development, team effectiveness, civic power, and creating space where individuals feel empowered, supported, and clear about their impact.

Tia remembers her time at CCP with pride and appreciation. “CCP was truly the foundation for my personal and professional growth,” she said. “I fondly remember my classes like public speaking and interpersonal communications, which were led by exceptional professors. I learned so much about how to engage with people and how to show up professionally and authentically.”

RISE College Hero Award – Bernard Rhodan

Shipping and Receiving Clerk, Business Services, Community College of Philadelphia

Bernard has worked at Community College of Philadelphia for 40 years as an Office Administrative Assistant in the Shipping and Receiving department. He grew up in the heart of Philadelphia, where he attended elementary through high school and eventually attended CCP for General Studies.

Bernard has loved working at CCP. “I met some wonderful people that I enjoy working around with, being with, you know, having good times with,” he said. His positivity, hard work and welcoming spirit are all reasons Bernard is deserving of this award.

RISE College Hero Award – Dr. Terrilyn Hickman-Allen

Assistant Professor, Behavioral Health and Human Services, Community College of Philadelphia

Dr. Terrilyn A. Hickman-Allen is an accomplished educator, clinical social worker, scholar, and academic leader whose career spans more than three decades in social work and behavioral health practice and more than 20 years in higher education. She currently serves as department head and associate professor for the Behavioral Health and Human Services department at Community College of Philadelphia, where she has led transformative efforts in curriculum innovation, workforce development, practicum education and student success. In addition to her leadership at the community college level, Dr. Hickman-Allen has taught undergraduate and graduate-level courses as an adjunct faculty member in social work, human services, and clinical mental health counseling programs, supporting the development of future helping professionals across multiple educational settings. Deeply committed to equity, access and opportunity, she has dedicated her career to preparing compassionate, culturally responsive practitioners while championing pathways for first-generation, nontraditional and historically underserved students.

A respected voice in behavioral health and human services education, Dr. Hickman-Allen has presented at local, national, and international conferences on topics including leadership, ethics, trauma-informed practice, case management, caregiving, equity in higher education, and workforce development. Her recent presentations include the National Association of Case Management Annual Conference; and the International Conference on Diversity in Organizations, Communities and Nations in Toronto. She has been invited to present at the Joint Conference on Social Work, Education and Social Development in Nairobi, Kenya, in June. A published scholar, her work explores resilience, identity, and the lived experiences of Black students and professionals in higher education. Her publications include “Climate Control: Creating Equitable Space for Black Students” and “My Mother Picked Cotton,” as well as doctoral research examining the stress and coping strategies of academically successful African American women attending an urban community college.

In addition to her academic leadership, Dr. Hickman-Allen brings extensive clinical and consulting experience across hospitals, long-term care, behavioral health agencies, and community-based organizations. She is a licensed clinical social worker in Pennsylvania and Delaware, a Board-Certified Telemental Health Provider and an active member of the National Association of Social Workers. Known for her authenticity, mentorship and unwavering commitment to empowering others, Dr. Hickman-Allen’s work reflects a lifelong dedication to service, education, and creating meaningful change within communities and the helping professions.

CCP is proud to be able to highlight these outstanding members of our community and their hard work during this monumental event. If you are interested in attending, you can learn more about it and purchase a ticket here. The event supports students through the Dr. Alycia Marshall Seventh President’s Fund.