FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 10, 2026

Contact: 
Antwon R. Martin
armartin [at] ccp.edu (armartin[at]ccp[dot]edu)
267.666.7881

Philadelphia’s own Patti LaBelle made Rhythm and RISE a night to remember

PHILADELPHIA — Philly music icon Patti LaBelle received a Lifetime Achievement Award at Community College of Philadelphia’s Rhythm and RISE celebration emceed by WHYY’s Cherri Gregg. The event, which commemorated CCP’s 60th anniversary as the City’s College, took place Tuesday, June 9, on the College’s Main Campus. Mayor Cherelle Parker also provided remarks at the event.

“I am truly honored to receive this most prestigious honor from Community College of Philadelphia!” Patti LaBelle said. “Everything I’ve tried to build in my life began with the people who believed in me here in Philadelphia, long before I believed in myself. And to the students here just beginning your journey, may you discover the people who believe in you, and may you become someone who believes boldly in yourselves.”

During the celebration, CCP President Dr. Alycia Marshall said she was honored to be the seventh president of an institution that has proudly served approximately 800,000 students since opening six decades ago.

“For more than six decades, Community College of Philadelphia has expanded opportunity and created pathways to economic mobility for individuals, families, and communities across our city,” Dr. Marshall said. “From growing enrollment and expanding academic and workforce programs to opening Regional Centers and advancing flexible learning options, each milestone reflects our commitment to meeting students where they are and preparing them for success. As we celebrate this moment, we honor a proud legacy while looking ahead to an even greater impact for Philadelphia’s future.”

CCP students were at the forefront of the evening’s festivities, including student artwork on display, a live pottery wheel and other art demonstrations, hors d’oeuvres created by Culinary Arts students and served by Tourism and Hospitality Management students, and performances by Theater students. Live musical performances by CCP students and Vertical Current, led by past Artist in Residence Christopher Michael Stevens, took audiences through a musical journey of Philadelphia’s sound, past and present. Philly’s own DJ TouchTone set the energy for the night.

Activations also included an electric vehicle presentation by Automotive Technology students, keychains built by CNC Precision Machining Technology students and robot arms and conveyor belts demonstrating the tools used in CCP’s Electro-Mechanical Technology classes.

In addition to the Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Patti LaBelle for her musical, entertainment, and humanitarian influence in Philadelphia, College leadership also presented awards to staff, faculty and alumni who demonstrate their dedication and unyielding support of our Philadelphia community. The awards and honorees were:

• RISE Alumni Achievement Award: Tia Watson, vice president of the Office of Advocacy, Public Policy and Legislative Affairs with the Urban League of Greater Philadelphia
• RISE College Hero Award: Bernard Rhodan, shipping and receiving clerk in the Business Services department of Community College of Philadelphia
• RISE College Hero Award: Dr. Terrilyn Hickman-Allen, associate professor and department head of Behavioral Health/Human Services at Community College of Philadelphia

Proceeds from Rhythm and RISE directly support student opportunities through the Dr. Alycia Marshall Seventh President’s Fund. Contributions can be made at ccp.edu/give60.

The celebration of CCP’s 60th anniversary will continue throughout the calendar year and will include the official inauguration of Dr. Alycia Marshall as the College’s seventh president on Oct. 9.

Rhythm and RISE was made possible with the generous support of our sponsors: Hamilton Family Charitable Trust, Julian and Lois Brodsky | Julian A. and Lois G. Brodsky Foundation, Jefferson, Kelly Family Fund, Parx Casino, Follett Higher Education Group, Penn Medicine, Comcast NBCUniversal, Independence Blue Cross, Rhonda and David L. Cohen, Harold T. Epps and Bellevue Strategies, Morgan Lewis, Mosaic Development Partners, Pincus Family Foundation, Mindy M. Posoff and Marlene L. Olshan, Allied Universal/Universal Protection Services, Brian Communications, Brown’s Super Stores, Inc., The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, Chestnut Hill College, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, The Honickman Family, PECO, OIC Philadelphia, Philadelphia Parking Authority, PRWT Services, Inc., Rivers Casino Philadelphia, Siebert Williams Shank & Co. LLC, Tuttleman Foundation, Haverford Systems, Holy Family University, Palmer Waterproofing, and Scotlandyard Security Services, Inc.

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About Community College of Philadelphia 

Community College of Philadelphia is the largest public institution of higher education in the City of Philadelphia. With an open admissions policy, the College serves all who may benefit – regardless of age, income, or ability. For more than 60 years, the College has lived up to its mission and goals by providing educational access for over 750,000 Philadelphians, setting families, businesses and neighborhoods on the path of shared prosperity and opportunity. For information on the College's degree and certificate programs, workforce development strategies, and community engagement initiatives, visit ccp.edu and follow us on social media @CCPedu.

Community College of Philadelphia is proud to announce the promotion of four faculty members this year. At the College’s most recent Board of Trustees meeting, those four faculty members were congratulated by the Board and their colleagues.

During the meeting, CCP President Dr. Alycia Marshall shared gratitude for the newly promoted educators, congratulating them on this important achievement. “It is a great honor to join the Board of Trustees in recognizing the exceptional achievements of our faculty and celebrating these well-deserved promotions,” Dr. Marshall said. “Time and again, CCP students have shared stories of the professors who inspired them, challenged them and helped shape their futures. The impact of our faculty extends far beyond the classroom, transforming lives and strengthening our community. These four faculty members exemplify the very best of CCP through their excellence, leadership and unwavering commitment to student success. It is with immense pride that I recommend them for this well-earned recognition.”

The faculty who received promotions are:

• Ashley Clark, Foundational Math – promoted from assistant professor to associate professor
• Dr. Calion Lockridge, Psychology – promoted from assistant professor to associate professor
• Dr. Massah Nuni, English – promoted from assistant professor to associate professor
• Dr. Kathleen Murphey, English – promoted from associate professor to full professor

“Each of the faculty members recognized at this month’s Board meeting go above and beyond, utilizing their distinct skills and passions to make classrooms that their students are excited to be part of,” said Harold T. Epps, chair of the CCP Board of Trustees. “On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we congratulate them!”

To qualify for promotions, faculty members excelled in the categories of:

• Teaching effectiveness, support for learning and leadership
• Service to the students
• Contributions to the life of the College
• Service to the profession

As the only public, open-admission institution in Philadelphia, CCP fulfills the promise of higher education for all Philadelphians—whether they’re looking for a fresh start, a pivot or accelerated momentum to keep moving forward. We are so proud of each of these faculty members for being a part of that mission.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 4, 2026

Contact: 
Antwon R. Martin
armartin [at] ccp.edu (armartin[at]ccp[dot]edu)
267.666.7881

Three assistant professor faculty are being promoted to associate professor and one associate professor faculty is being promoted to professor

PHILADELPHIA — Community College of Philadelphia is proud to announce the promotion of four faculty members. The College’s Board of Trustees congratulated the newly promoted faculty members during the Board’s monthly meeting on Thursday, June 4.

At the meeting, CCP President Dr. Alycia Marshall expressed her gratitude for the newly promoted educators.

“It is a great honor to join the Board of Trustees in recognizing the exceptional achievements of our faculty and celebrating these well-deserved promotions,” Dr. Marshall said. “Time and again, CCP students have shared stories of the professors who inspired them, challenged them, and helped shape their futures. The impact of our faculty extends far beyond the classroom, transforming lives and strengthening our community. These four faculty members exemplify the very best of CCP through their excellence, leadership, and unwavering commitment to student success. It is with immense pride that I recommend them for this well-earned recognition.”

The faculty who received promotions are:

• Ashley Clark, Foundational Math – promoted from assistant professor to associate professor
• Dr. Calion Lockridge, Psychology – promoted from assistant professor to associate professor
• Dr. Massah Nuni, English – promoted from assistant professor to associate professor
• Dr. Kathleen Murphey, English – promoted from associate professor to full professor

“Each of the faculty members recognized at this month’s Board meeting go above and beyond, utilizing their distinct skills and passions to make classrooms that their students are excited to be part of,” said Harold T. Epps, chair of the CCP Board of Trustees. “On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we congratulate them!”

To qualify for promotions, faculty members excelled in the categories of:

• Teaching effectiveness, support for learning, and leadership
• Service to the students
• Contributions to the life of the College
• Service to the profession

As the only public, open-admission institution in Philadelphia, CCP fulfills the promise of higher education for all Philadelphians—whether they’re looking for a fresh start, a pivot, or accelerated momentum to keep moving forward.

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About Community College of Philadelphia 

Community College of Philadelphia is the largest public institution of higher education in the City of Philadelphia. With an open admissions policy, the College serves all who may benefit – regardless of age, income, or ability. For more than 60 years, the College has lived up to its mission and goals by providing educational access for over 750,000 Philadelphians, setting families, businesses and neighborhoods on the path of shared prosperity and opportunity. For information on the College's degree and certificate programs, workforce development strategies, and community engagement initiatives, visit ccp.edu and follow us on social media @CCPedu.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 5, 2026

Contact: 
Antwon R. Martin
armartin [at] ccp.edu (armartin[at]ccp[dot]edu)
267.666.7881

Rhythm and RISE is June 9 in CCP’s Athletics Center Gymnasium

PHILADELPHIA — Community College of Philadelphia’s 60th anniversary celebration would be incomplete without the students who work so hard to achieve their academic goals while balancing life, work, extracurriculars, family, and so much more. CCP is proud to announce the student activations that attendees can enjoy at the Rhythm and RISE celebration on June 9 in the CCP Athletics Center Gymnasium on the College’s Main Campus.

The night’s guest of honor will be award-winning entertainer, author and entrepreneur Patti LaBelle. The music superstar and Philadelphia native will be presented a Lifetime Achievement Award for her musical, entertainment, and humanitarian influence in Philadelphia.

WHYY’s Cherri Gregg will keep the action moving as emcee, helping set the tone for a celebratory evening. Cherri Gregg is co-host of “Studio 2,” WHYY’s flagship local news program that airs live Monday through Thursday at noon on WHYY 90.9 FM and streams on YouTube. She is also creator and executive producer of the Emmy Award-winning Good Souls Project, WHYY’s effort to highlight individuals and organizations making a positive impact on the region.

The event will include student activations that highlight music, visual arts, culinary arts, pottery, theater, automotive technology, CNC precision machining technology, electro-mechanical technology, and more. In addition to student involvement on the day of the event, our community is generating the Rhythm and RISE mixtape by submitting songs to our community playlist.

Live musical performances by students and former CCP Artist in Residence
Students and artists with the College’s in-house music label, Spring Garden Records, will take audiences through a musical journey of Philadelphia’s sound, past and present. The CCP Jazz Ensemble will play throughout the night and attendees will hear from Vertical Current, led by past Artist in Residence Christopher Michael Stevens.

Student artwork on display

Works of art created by Art and Design majors will showcase the incredible talent and creativity of CCP students. When entering the Athletics Center, guests will see 2D pieces of varying sizes hung on the walls of the main corridor alongside 3D pieces displayed on pedestals. Some pieces will be for sale during the event.

Pottery wheel and painting demonstrations by students

During Rhythm and RISE, students and recent graduates will be performing live art demonstrations of both painting and ceramics practices. Rhythm Soto is a 2026 graduate and will be painting a landscape scene during the event. Students Natalie Gustafson and Sophia Shapiro will take turns throwing on the pottery wheel.

Hors d'oeuvre creations from Culinary Arts students

At the event, 10 students from the Culinary Arts program and 12 from the Tourism and Hospitality program will create and serve hors d’oeuvres to guests. Culinary Arts students will be preparing food and desserts from scratch the day before and assembling and preparing on the day of. During Rhythm and RISE, Tourism and Hospitality students will help with set up, greet guests, pass out hors d’oeuvres and assemble the dessert area.

Automotive Technology students build an electric vehicle

Students in the Automotive Technology program at CCP will take on an ambitious challenge: building a high‑voltage electric vehicle entirely from scratch. The hands‑on project immerses students in the same cutting‑edge technology reshaping today’s auto industry. What makes their work even more remarkable is that the vehicle they’re assembling is one of only about 400 of its kind in the world. For these students, it’s a rare opportunity to gain real‑world experience with advanced EV systems—experience that could help drive the future of transportation. Two students will be present with the kit car to show off their work and answer questions from guests.

Activations feature keychains crafted by CNC Precision Machining Technology students and mechanical arms from CCP’s Electro-Mechanical Technology program

Ahead of the event, CNC Precision Machining Technology students used tools at the College’s Career and Advanced Technology Center to make keychains featuring CCP and Rhythm and RISE iconography. Keychains will be available as give aways and attendees can view video of students in action during the event. Additionally, small robot arms and a conveyor belt will be on display to demonstrate some of the tools used in CCP’s Electro-Mechanical Technology classes.

Performances from Theater students

The Theater program will present 90-second “flash performances.” At three times during the evening, a student serving as Stage Manager will activate each performance with a brief auditory cue—a whistle, bell or chime. At that moment, students will emerge from the crowd, step onto a circular rug, and perform a high-energy, 90-second scene. The material will range from a Shakespearean exchange to an upbeat contemporary scene centered on life in Philadelphia.

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About Community College of Philadelphia 

Community College of Philadelphia is the largest public institution of higher education in the City of Philadelphia. With an open admissions policy, the College serves all who may benefit – regardless of age, income, or ability. For more than 60 years, the College has lived up to its mission and goals by providing educational access for over 750,000 Philadelphians, setting families, businesses and neighborhoods on the path of shared prosperity and opportunity. For information on the College's degree and certificate programs, workforce development strategies, and community engagement initiatives, visit ccp.edu and follow us on social media @CCPedu.

Natalie Gustafson is a Biology student at CCP with an interest in and talent for art. During Rhythm and RISE, she will be joining another student, Sofia Shapiro, on the pottery wheel, demonstrating live wheel throwing for guests to enjoy.

"I was really excited about that because I love wheel throwing,” Natalie said about being asked to participate in the June 9 event. “It's like one of my actual passions is creating things. So it's going to be really exciting to be there and be part of that.”

Natalie is grateful to be able to explore all of her passions at CCP. Before enrolling at the College, Natalie was working in a customer service role, which worked well for her at the time, but wasn’t what she wanted longer term. “I realized that I wanted to pursue things that mattered a lot more to me,” she said. “So, I decided to go back to school. And as a Philadelphia resident, CCP seemed like a great option.”

And so far, CCP has given Natalie many opportunities to learn and grow. “CCP has prepared me a lot through mentorship [with] professors. I really value the teaching staff here,” she said. “I feel like they are very collaborative and they truly want you to succeed. And I feel like I've really found my path through talking with them.” Natalie would like to pursue a job in sustainability or habitat conservation. “I'd really love to work in an organization that works in a park or something adjacent to that,” she said. Her focus is on preserving green spaces in urban environments like Philadelphia.

One of her favorite things about CCP is that the institution is so invested in building and maintaining community. “One of the reasons I really like going to CCP is that it is community based and you actually engage with your community,” she said. “And CCP really supports its students, but also its workers and its professors.”

Natalie is looking forward to being a part of our 60^th anniversary celebration. “Rhythm and RISE is a celebration of everything that's good about CCP and the talent from the students and the opportunities that can be presented to them,” she said. “And I'm really happy that we can show that. There is a lot of opportunity and a lot of talent, talented people here.”

CCP is proud to be able to highlight students 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.

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.

The College will host Rhythm and RISE on June 9, a fundraising event celebrating 60 years as an institution through a musical journey of Philadelphia’s sound, past and present. With live performances by CCP students and Spring Garden Records artists, painting and ceramics demonstrations by Art students and hors d'oeuvres prepared by Culinary Arts students and served by Tourism and Hospitality Management students, this event is designed to act as a celebration of every corner of the College. DJ TouchTone will set the energy all night, and attendees will hear from Vertical Current, led by past Artist in Residence Christopher Michael Stevens. The event will also honor Philadelphia’s own Patti LaBelle, who will be presented with the RISE Lifetime Achievement Award, along with CCP employees and an alum.

Guests at the event will enjoy a wide range of activations from our talented students including musical and theater performances, artistic demonstrations, culinary arts creations, and more. There are about 30 students participating in the event in these capacities and many of them are excited to show off their skills and talents, the ones they’ve worked so hard to develop in their time here at CCP.

“I wanted to participate in Rhythm and RISE because it seemed like a great opportunity to be involved and support the community,” said Ketcy Rosario, a student in the Tourism and Hospitality Management program. “At the event, we are going to serve as students and help during the event.” 

Farrod Jones, a 2026 graduate of the Tourism and Hospitality Management program who will also be participating in Rhythm and RISE, said, “My time at CCP has been an unforgettable experience, and I am grateful for all of the friends and people I've met here. They are the ones who helped shape me into the person I am today.” A student in the Culinary Arts program, Elyssa Moses, is excited to participate in the event to gain more experience servicing a larger crowd and to be able to show up for Chef Andy, assistant professor of Culinary Arts. “CCP has been an absolute pleasure learning with my chefs, professors and classmates. [It has] been motivating and inspiring,” she said.

Another student, Yerancy Acevedo, is excited to hopefully impress guests with her talents in acting and the preforming arts. “For Rhythm and RISE, I hope that it really shows everything that I've learned,” she said. “And it shows that we're all really close with each other in the Theater department.” She’s confident that she and her fellow classmates can leave a lasting impression on attendees.

Rhythm Soto, a 2026 Art and Design graduate, is excited to be participating in an event highlighting the creative arts. “What I wanted when I came here was to be a part of an environment like that and to be around like-minded people,” said Rhythm. “And now I'm at a point where I'm more technically sound, and I just get to demonstrate what I learned and what I accumulated here.” Rhythm will be painting live during the evening, showing her skills and creating a piece of work showcasing the vibrant event. Another 2026 graduate, Sofia Shapiro, will be 

participating in demonstrations with the pottery wheel, showcasing her talents and creative interests. “CCP was super life changing. I love the institution and the Art department,” said Sofia.

CCP is proud to be able to highlight students and alums during this monumental event. If you are interested in attending, you can learn more about it and purchase a ticket here. Tickets support the Dr. Alycia Marshall Seventh President’s Fund.

Rhythm Soto is a 2026 CCP graduate and is coming back to campus on June 9 to participate in Rhythm and RISE, our 60^th anniversary celebration. During the event, Rhythm will be give a live painting demonstration, creating a visual of the evening and capturing the spirit of our community.

Rhythm has been drawing, painting and creating all of her life. “My drawing style came from anime, honestly. And learning the arts of manga and how Japanese artists create comics in their anime style,” she said. “I also love storytelling in my art. And that's one of the things that I gained from CCP as well, developing compositionally too.”

Rhythm came to CCP a few years after graduating from high school in Delaware. At the time, she was working full time at Chik-Fil-A and decided to look into taking Art courses to supplement her natural artistic abilities. “I kept seeing the rise from within [campaign] all over the buses and SEPTA,” she said. “So that's when I enrolled. And then that summer, 2024, I found out about the Catto scholarship. And then that really pulled me in.”

In her time here at CCP, Rhythm was introduced to the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) through a few students who graduated before her and went on to study there. She was very impressed with how their skills and personal artistic styles grew and transformed after attending MICA, which made her interested in transferring there. “I was like, ‘Okay, this is where I need to be,’” Rhythm said. "And I get to be around my colleagues [who] I look up to and we can like, grow as a community.” Rhythm is starting classes at MICA in the fall of 2026 and is excited to continue on her educational journey with like-minded students and artists.

Close to the end of the spring 2026 semester, Rhythm’s Painting instructor, Meghan Cox, asked her to participate in Rhythm and RISE. Cox saw how Rhythm naturally gravitated toward plein air painting, or painting outdoors, as she would use this technique to complete her classwork and assignments. “I would be outside, people would come up to me and compliment my process, and we would talk,” Rhythm said. She shared these experiences with Cox. It was this interest and Cox’s confidence in Rhythm’s craft and skill that led her to present the opportunity of participating in Rhythm and RISE.

Rhythm is looking forward to being a part of this event because it celebrates the creative community she was in search of when she came to CCP. “Mainly what it means to me is being a part of a creative community that features both musical and fine arts, and creating around that energy because that's what I wanted when I enrolled here,” she shared. "Now, I'm at a point where I'm more technically sound, and I get to demonstrate what I learned and what I accumulated here.”

Rhythm and RISE offers an opportunity for our community to come together to celebrate 60 years of student success and contributing to a stronger Philadelphia. Attendance at the event helps support our mission of helping students rise up and complete their higher education goals. The event will benefit the Dr. Alycia Marshall Seventh President’s Fund. You can learn more and purchase a ticket here.

Yerancy Acevedo is a student in the Theater department at CCP and will be participating in Rhythm and RISE, along with other students in the same program. What she’s most looking forward to is showcasing her own and her classmates’ talents and giving attendees a peek inside their program. “For Rhythm and Rise, I hope that it really shows everything that I've learned for the past two years being here, and it shows everything that my friends learned,” Yerancy said. “And [I hope] it shows that we're all really close with each other in the Theater department.”

When Yerancy was first presented with the opportunity to participate in the June 9 event, one of the main motivators was that she saw her friend’s name on the same email chain from assistant professor and Theater program coordinator Quinn Eli. “I saw that my friend was on the email, and I was like, ‘Well, at least I'm not going to do it alone,’” she said. After agreeing to it, she quickly realized what being a part of a celebration like this really meant.

Yerancy’s CCP experience has been one filled with joy and admiration for her fellow students and faculty members. “I'm really grateful for everyone I met. I think they're all just super talented, dedicated and hardworking people,” she said.

One of the most exciting projects Yerancy has had the chance to be a part of is working on an original play with a group of students. “I had the opportunity to write a play with two other people. It was performed here, and then it was submitted to the Fringe Festival, and it was performed there,” she said. The play, “Miz Prophet Tells All,” created a unique opportunity for Yerancy and other students to exercise their playwriting skills and get a chance to showcase them during Philadelphia’s renowned professional theater festival, something not many students experience.

CCP is proud to be able to highlight students 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 the Dr. Alycia Marshall Seventh President’s Fund.