CCP Welcomes Seventh President, Dr. Alycia Marshall

On Friday, October 9, 2026, Community College of Philadelphia officially welcomed Dr. Alycia Marshall as its seventh President. This historic moment for the College honored the institution's first Black woman president during a day filled with joy, pride and conversation about the future of CCP. Faculty and staff from the College, as well as guests from throughout Dr. Marshall’s personal and professional life, were in attendance at the Highmark Mann Center for the Performing Arts, ushering in a new leader with a bright vision for the College.

The audience was welcomed by our emcee Chellie Cameron, president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, and heard from several speakers, including Rev. Dr. Lorina Marshall-Blake of the CCP Foundation Board of Directors; Morgan Cephas, PA Representative of the 192^nd District and Board of Trustees member; Senator Vincent Hughes, PA State Senate, 7^th District; City of Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker; Isaiah Thomas, Majority Whip for the City Council of Philadelphia; Rosalyn McPherson, Board of Trustees member; Malika Rahman, assistant professor and curriculum coordinator for Criminal Justice; Daniel Emdin, a 2026 alum; Dr. Ben Lewis, Dr. Marshall’s cousin and vice president of Field Engagement and Innovation at Purpose Built Communities; former University of Maryland, Baltimore County president Dr. Freeman Hrabowski, III; Sheila Ireland, vice chair of the Board of Trustees; and Mindy Posoff, vice chair of the Board of Trustees, who presented Dr. Marshall with the presidential medallion. In addition to the speakers, the audience also heard from CCP’s Jazz Quartet which included Paul Geissinger, chair and associate professor of Music, students Josiah Cross, Tyler Jones and Joseph Vance, and adjunct instructor of Music, Evan Graver, as well as the College’s Concert Choir, directed by H.L. Smith II.

Before the ceremony began, several guests shared positive notes and well wishes for Dr. Marshall’s presidential appointment. “We are super excited to see the direction that [Dr. Marshall] will take the College, particularly in this environment,” said Rep. Morgan Cephas. “We're looking forward to [her] not only growing enrollment, but ensuring that we truly become the City of Philadelphia's college, a college that everybody can realize not only their economic dreams, but their educational dreams and really be able to live here in the city of Philadelphia and thrive.”

Rev. Dr. Lorina Marshall-Blake, member of the Foundation Board of Directors, also shared excitement for Dr. Marshall’s leadership. “I'm here to celebrate Dr. Marshall's investiture. She is phenomenal, she's ready, she's equipped, she's going to take community college to the next level and I'm glad that I'm here on this historic occasion and I wish her all the best.” Each speaker during the event highlighted Dr. Marshall’s preparedness to take on this role, her poise and her dedication to student success.

Dr. Marshall also shared her own perspective on the day and what she hopes to bring to the College. “We will become a college that is unapologetically ambitious…where success is not measured by how many students enter our doors but by how many students cross the finish line and what is possible for them when they do,” she said. Dr. Marshall’s vision for the College as she embarks on this new professional journey is to ensure Community College of Philadelphia continues to be a place where all Philadelphians can find belonging and reach their goals. “Our charge is not simply to provide access. It is to take that access and turn it into opportunity and to take opportunity and turn it into economic mobility,” she said. “Economic mobility that strengthens our families, our communities, and this great city we all call home. That is the assignment. That is the work before this institution and that is the future I envision for the city's college.”

After the ceremony, guests enjoyed a reception with food and mingling, celebrating the momentous day and having an opportunity to be in community together. You can read messages of congratulations for Dr. Marshall online here.