Every year, select Community College of Philadelphia students are honored with the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, a highly selective, national program for community college students seeking to complete their bachelor’s degrees at four-year colleges or universities.

This year, we are proud to announce that once again, five students have qualified as semifinalists for this opportunity. That means that these students are in the running to receive generous financial support for two to three years, college planning support, ongoing advising, and the opportunity to connect with the greater community of Cooke scholars.

Join us to celebrate and congratulate these outstanding students. Learn more about each of them and their future plans below.

Daniel Emdin

Daniel is pursuing a degree in Chemistry at Community College of Philadelphia and is set to graduate in May of this year. During his time here, Daniel has received several scholarships, including the Catto Scholarship, Dr. Lynnette Hammond McNeal Award, the Cox-Shafter Chemistry Award, a PECO Scholarship for STEM Majors and is part of the All-PA Academic Team.

In addition to his studies, Daniel is also president of the Student Government Association and spends a lot of his extracurricular time volunteering and doing service work. He is also president of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and is current vice president and co-founder of CCP’s chapter of the American Chemical Society. Daniel is a Catto team captain and a student ambassador, as well as a member of the Center for Male Engagement. Daniel also works as a student researcher in the Biotech program at CCP. In addition to all these roles, Daniel finds time to volunteer with the Institute of Community Engagement and Civic Leadership and mentor with Project Career Launch Mentorship Program a project that pairs peer mentors with high school students on the autism spectrum to help them navigate through the college/university setting.

After graduating from the College, Daniel intends to enroll at a four-year institution to continue his studies in Chemistry, Public Health or both. “But the end goal is to become a physician policymaker,” Daniel said. “So, I plan to get an MD degree, doing an MD joint program with master of Public Health pathways.” Though he hasn’t officially decided where he will continue his education, Daniel has applied to schools like Thomas Jefferson University, Temple University, University of Pennsylvania and Swarthmore, in addition to a few schools in other states as well.

Daniel said that he feels he’s made the most of his time here at CCP. “From my first semester, I made sure to really get to [acclimate] myself to my environment and my resources that's available to me,” he said. “From taking advantage of as many resources as I could since my first semester to now graduating this semester, I would say that it's really acted as an extremely strong foundation. That can help me even after I transfer to a four year or even after that.”

Khareba Rodgers

Khareba Rodgers is graduating from the Health Care Studies program this May. Her academic goals are driven by a deep desire to understand the human body and use that knowledge to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Ultimately, she plans to continue her studies in a specialized health care field, where she can apply both scientific knowledge and compassionate care to improve the well-being of others.

“I am passionate about helping others live healthier, more active lives,” she said. “What excites me most about this career path is the opportunity to be part of someone’s journey to recovery and better health.”

Khareba’s long-term vision includes working in a clinical setting where she can engage directly with patients, while also participating in community outreach programs that promote preventive care and wellness education.

Richard Rodovalho

Richard will be graduating from the Architecture program this year. He is excited to be continuing his education in Architecture at Columbia University and is interested in eventually pursuing a master’s degree in the field as well.

Longer term, Richard’s career goals are to combine his architectural knowledge and experience with real estate development. “I’m interested in working on bigger projects that actually make an impact, especially in communities that don’t always get that kind of investment,” he said.

Though Richard has been focused on working and attending school, he still finds time to coach youth MMA and jiu jitsu classes. “It’s taught me a lot about leadership, patience, and how to work with different personalities, especially helping younger kids build confidence,” Richard said.

For Richard, CCP has been an incredible steppingstone toward his career goals. “It gave me the chance to come back to school and take things seriously, and prove to myself that I could do it,” he said. “It helped me build a strong foundation academically, but also gave me the confidence to aim higher. Without CCP, I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in now, especially getting accepted into a school like Columbia.

Destiny Russell

Destiny Russell is a graduating Communication and Media Studies major and a Catto Scholar. In addition to being a Jack Kent Cooke semifinalist, Destiny has also received scholarship money for each semester that she has attended CCP, primarily from the W.W. Smith Charitable Trust Scholarship.

Outside of the classroom, Destiny is part of the Lions Media Network, and this semester has been working as an intern with CCPTV and Multimedia Services. And last semester, Destiny was involved with the production of a student podcast called “17th Take.” “And for the internship, I actually got a chance to go behind the scenes and actually be in a studio as an assistant, as a studio assistant,” Destiny said.

After graduation, Destiny plans to transfer either to Chestnut Hill College or Temple University to study Media Production. She is passionate about the entertainment industry, specifically music, and hopes to work in media and production and explore content creation. But, she said, she’s remaining flexible and open to whatever may come her way. “So, I'm pretty much just gonna give everything the benefit of the doubt...I don't know, I might end up in something completely different from what I set out to do,” she said. “So, I just leave room for that.”

For Destiny, one of the most important parts of her time here at CCP was the support she received from her professors. “They were all wonderful to me,” she said. “Even during the times, I didn't believe in myself they actually believed in me and that's what like pretty much pushed me towards where I am now, because they reached their hand out to me, and I basically took it, and I took a leap of faith.” Destiny said her professors were particularly helpful in getting her to the finish line even after changing her major halfway through.

Phoebe Tinsman

Phoebe is graduating this May with an associate degree in Biology. She has received scholarships and financial aid through the Catto program and other awards, which allowed her to focus on her studies during her time at CCP.

Phoebe works in the chemistry lab at Community College of Philadelphia and is a proud member of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. She also participates in “It’s on Us,” raising awareness about domestic violence on campus and in her community. In addition to these responsibilities, Phoebe also serves in the Disability Club, all while balancing parenting, and a full course load.

“My goal is to transfer to Drexel University, earn a master’s degree in Epidemiology and work in public health for the city of Philadelphia,” Phoebe said. “With my lived experience, academic dedication and unshakable determination, I am committed to using my story to inspire hope and create change for underserved communities.”

Illi Germain came to CCP after completing City Year Philadelphia and finding an interest in teaching. “City Year transformed my life,” they said. "I was like, okay, education is so important...I could see myself teaching, and I miss being a student.” Now, Illi is graduating from the College and set to attend Arcadia University on a full-ride scholarship as a Social Action and Justice Education Fellow.

Illi grew up in the Harrisburg area and originally wanted to go to college to study medicine after graduating from high school. After a few challenging years, they decided it was time to pursue college. “I waited until I was 24 to qualify as an independent,” Illi said. “As a trans person, there's a common story of trans people not being in a good relationship with their family. And unfortunately, I'm one of those people.” Illi and their partner moved to Philadelphia to find refuge in the diverse populations of the city.

And here they have felt supported, especially by their Catto coaches, Maura Razanauskas and Sherita Rooney. “Sherita is just like so detail oriented and so intentional with the way that she communicates and the service that she provides,” Illi said. "Without Sherita and Maura, I would not be able to graduate.” Illi is grateful for the guidance and confidence that Maura and Sherita have both given them. “Sometimes I doubt myself, and they were the people in my corner," Illi said. Maura and Sherita supported Illi through that self doubt, helping them believe in their worth.

In addition to being a Catto Scholar, Illi is also the recipient of the Shirley P. Thomas, Jane G. Pepper and Ed Hermance scholarships. Illi also interns with the Mayor’s Office of Education through CCP’s City College for Municipal Employment program. “I'm learning a lot about [communications] when it comes to...writing and formatting,” Illi said. Illi is undecided about exactly what’s next for them, but they have been accepted as a Catto Teacher Scholar at Arcadia University to pursue a career in teaching.

The best advice Illi has for new CCP students: say yes to everything. “There's something really cool about CCP, especially...if you...have a good GPA, you can get a lot of internships,” they said. "It just holds weight in a different way. And CCP is always producing students that just go above and beyond. So, just say yes to everything.”

Leah Brown is graduating magnum cum laude with a degree in Biological Sciences, and her accomplishments co-captain of the volleyball team

A dedicated, second-year varsity student-athlete, she became a defining leader within the CCP Women’s Volleyball program. A two-year starter, her presence elevated every practice, every match and every teammate around her. Leah’s leadership shined just as brightly off the court, where she carried herself with humility, discipline and a genuine commitment to her community.

On the court, she played an instrumental role in securing the team’s first-ever victory against Manor College, a milestone that reflected her competitive spirit, resilience and ability to perform under pressure. Her recognition as a member of the 2025 NJCAA Region 19 Women’s Volleyball All-EPAC Team is a powerful testament to her persistence, commitment and unwavering dedication to CCP Athletics. She was also named to the EPAC All-Academic Team, a 2024–2025 NJCAA Region 19 National Girls and Women in Sports Day Honoree and team MVP.

Equally impressive is her excellence in the classroom. She balanced the demands of collegiate athletics with academic rigor, all while contributing to the Biology Club as an active and engaged member. She embodies what it means to be a true student-athlete—driven, disciplined and deeply passionate about both her sport and her studies. Her journey reflects not only talent, but heart. Leah has set a standard for what leadership, perseverance and dedication should look like at CCP.

Graduating Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Nursing, Faith is ready to enter the workforce and plans on enrolling in a bachelor’s degree program in Nursing next fall. Originally a journalist, Faith relocated to Philadelphia from Zimbabwe. The importance of her career choice was influenced by a tragedy in her life—both of her parents passing away from cancer. The range of clinical rotations she completed as a student helped her realize an office environment is a preferred career area.

“My community rotation with a school nurse in an elementary school—it was so amazing. I also liked the balance between the fast pace I found at Temple and the slower pace at my general rotation. With patients, there may be a language barrier, they may be nonverbal—learning about that made me a better nurse,” she said.

Getting involved outside of the classroom, Faith was the managing editor of The Vanguard student newspaper and a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, International Students Club, and the Black Alliance Students Club. She found a supporting and helpful community as she was adjusting to a new program and the United States.

“I was fortunate enough to get a Work-Study position in the Student Engagement office. I met a lot of people, made new friends and learned about a lot of things that are offered at CCP—it became my second home. My professors are also always ready to help. No matter what, they will help you,” she said.

Last semester, Faith was awarded the First Presbyterian Church scholarship, and she was invited to attend a gathering at the church.

“It was one of the best experiences. There were workshops before the service, and other scholarship winners were there. I found about other community organizations,” she said.

Since this is not her first degree, Faith urges others to not wait if they seek a change.

‘It’s never too late to start something. The right time is now. Once you start classes at CCP, see an academic advisor. Tell them your plan, and they’ll help you map out your classes—the earlier the better,” she said.

Faith believes others will find what she discovered at CCP.

“I feel like CCP is multicultural and so accommodating. The people at CCP have patience. It was easy to adjust,” she said.

Rich Rodovalho started working in construction when he was 19 years old building homes and other developments for national builders like Toll Brothers and Ryan Homes. After he felt like he had a strong understanding of the development side of the AEC industry, he wanted to see how far he could expand his knowledge. Now, Rich is graduating from CCP with an associate degree in Architecture and is set to attend Columbia University to complete a 4+1 program, where he will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Architecture and a master’s degree in Real Estate Development.

Once Rich started taking classes in CCP’s Architecture program, he realized how many different directions you could take within the field. “[My professors] started talking about more real estate development and the finance that goes behind everything,” Rich said. “And I was like, ‘well, that's perfect! Now I'll know how to build it, design it and how to package the whole finance to be able to grow with the project.’”

Rich has found his experience at CCP rewarding and beneficial to his future. “[Our professors] are registered architects and being able to communicate with them just like on the human scale, not just as professors, and being able to ask questions...I feel like they guided us directly the way we're supposed to go,” Rich said. “Especially with transferring.” He is grateful for the support of all his professors and values that many of them are or have been working professionals in the field.

When it came to choosing where to continue his education after CCP, Rich was determined to go the distance. He told his friends he was aiming for an Ivy League, and they doubted him. “I was like, ‘watch,’” Rich said. “So...I didn't sleep, doing classwork, maintained a 4.0 GPA.” he said. But he wasn’t doing it just to prove his friends wrong. Rich knew what he was capable of. “I did it, not to prove to anybody else, but to prove to myself that if I was going to do this, I could get into the best schools. I could get into the best programs and see how far I can push in this career path.”

After graduating from Columbia, Rich is interested in coming back to Philadelphia to work to build a better city, after living most of his life here and watching neighborhood after neighborhood become gentrified. “I want to be able to design, develop these neighborhoods that are forgotten, but do something for the people living there,” Rich said. Rich may consider working for a global team to be able to go back to South America, where he is originally from.

Rich is grateful for his time here at CCP and to his professors for guiding him through the program and his next steps. In addition to the wonderful accomplishments he has made at CCP, he is also a semifinalist for a Jack Kent Cooke scholarship, which would cover a significant amount of his tuition for Columbia University.

Johnthan likes to stay busy. He works full time as an assistant head of engineering at a Marriot hotel while being a full-time student. He also served an intern in Multimedia Services (MMS), where he learned skills that complemented his degree in Communication and Media Studies. Graduating with Highest Honors, Jay learned about the College by chance and decided to return to education after a decade-long hiatus.

“I was working for my construction company, and I saw a bus ad for the College. I applied the next day,” Johnathan said.

Originally intending to pursue Computer Science, his career interests shifted after taking a few classes.

“I took a video editing course, and I realized that’s exactly what I wanted to do,” Jay said.

Communication and media courses continued to shape his career aspirations, in addition to his experiences as an MMS intern. Johnathan did a lot of behind the screen work, including market research, contacting potential interviewees for projects and editing content for multiple ongoing assignments. “I saw the inner workings of a studio. Each step of the process excites me; from taking an idea then turning it into real life,” he said.

This fall, Johnathan will begin the Media Studies and Production program at Temple University’s Klein College, which will help him further his communication skills and technical knowledge. His goal is to work in a TV or radio station, working in pre- or post-production video editing, marketing or PR—anything that involves telling the stories of others, especially those who don’t have a voice.

Johnathan’s parents came to the United States from Cuenca, Ecuador, and he is the first in his family to be born in the United States, and a first-generation College student. He credits faculty for their guidance and assistance during his time at CCP.

“All of the professors I’ve had have open door policies and guided me in the direction I am taking; Rafael Logroño “made me realize I am worth more than I realize, and I can be the light that shines in someone else’s darker room.”

Inspired by Johnathan’s success and experiences, some of his relatives and friends are now pursuing higher education, and he looks forward to helping them along their educational journey. His advice to future students is simple: “Don’t be afraid of the unfamiliar. Take as many risks as you can, and one day you’ll realize, how far you came along and that this journey was well worth it.”

Earning a Liberal Arts degree, Ronald is looking to begin a bachelor’s degree program in the fall to pursue a degree in Political Science and Africana studies. Graduating with Honors, Ronald has been accepted to Temple, La Salle, Drexel and Arcadia, and is waiting to hear from Rutgers – Camden, Swarthmore, Haverford, Howard and Princeton. The college campus and financial aid packages will help him decide on his next institution.

Working for the City of Philadelphia full time and going to school full time, Ronald wasn’t sure he fit in when he started at CCP, but he soon found interests and support.

“I thought I was too old and didn’t belong. My reservations went away as the semester moved forward,” he said.

“I was a member of the Center for Male Engagement (CME), Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, co-chair of the Student Affairs Standing Committee and a member of the judicial hearing committee. I completed the Philadelphia L.E.A.D.S. program and also went on a study abroad trip to Ghana,” said Ronald.

Through CME, he also traveled to Lincoln University to volunteer and attend a conference, and he mentors high school kids for three to four hours a week.

"We’re giving back to younger people, and telling them they can go to school,” he said.

The skills he gained from his classes provided a foundation for success as a student and provided insight to new interests.

“I learned how to create a PowerPoint, write a bibliography, use citations, and enhanced my Word and Excel skills. It makes class easier. Through one of my honors classes, I saw the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New Yor for the first time. I want to go back this summer. It’s so big, you can’t see it all, and I love art,” said Ronald.

He also found help through the many support services at the College.

“There’s faculty and a lot of support services, like CME tutors – you can always find help. Ask for help when you need it. I received a 68 on my first essay. I went to the Learning Lab. My second essay, I got an 85—the next one, 90. All by taking the time,” he said.

Ronald learned firsthand that getting involved outside of the classroom was important to becoming a good student and led to a better overall experience.’

“The more you get involved, the better you do in school. If you put your mind to it and work hard, you can achieve anything. Whatever your niche is, you can find it at CCP. You never have to feel alone. There’s always something around the school to make you feel the love,” he said.

After completing his bachelor’s degree, Ronald will consider law school or a master’s degree in Public Policy, with the goal of working in government and focusing on civil rights.

Ronald encourages others to overcome any hesitation to enrolling at the College or pursuing higher education.

“Face your fears or self-doubt—come to campus, reach out to someone who attends CCP—you may want to be at a Regional Center or at Main Campus. See all of the campuses and go to open houses to see where you’ll fit. Ask questions. Talk to someone about what you want to do and your time frame. There’s tons of help, and you can feel secure,” he said.

Indeea Fields found herself at CCP after first attending Albright College for Early Childhood Education. “I felt like I just kind of went just so I could say I was doing something,” she said. “And then I came home, took a year off and then enrolled in Health Care Studies at CCP.” In 2019, Indeea’s nine-month-old niece came down with RSV, giving Indeea her first peek inside the world of respiratory therapy. That experience and her Health Care Studies prerequisite courses led Indeea to the Respiratory Care Technology program. Now, Indeea is graduating from the College and heading off to take her board exams and become a practicing respiratory therapist.

After being in the program, Indeea now realizes how important repspiratory therapists can be for patients needing their care. “I definitely feel like it's way more in-depth and in detail than people think it is,” Indeea said. “I think people think we just click buttons, but you can actually cause an injury that can increase the risk of mortality after initiating life support, so you have to be careful and make sure you're using proper techniques.”

Indeea feels prepared to enter the workforce following her education at CCP and she’s grateful for the strong connections that the College has created throughout the city and the region. “I can ask somebody that's a respiratory therapist that graduated 25 years ago where they went and they'll say CCP,” she said. “So, I think as far as networking, those connections are there, they'll always be there.”

In addition to the quality education and networking opportunities she’s received, Indeea also feels like she’s grown personally in her time here. “I would just say throughout the program, even though it's only been two years, I feel like I've just grown vastly as a person,” she said. “Like, I don't feel like I'm the same person from when I started to finishing. And I'm just thankful for the experience.”

After graduation, Indeea plans to take her board exams to become registered and find a job in the city. “I just mainly want to focus on adult critical care,” she said. “That's what my interest is in.” 

Graduating with highest honors, Jessica Dobney is a full-time Criminal Justice student, a contributor to the Vanguard student newspaper, a Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society member, a student delegate and alternate for several committees on CCP’s Student Government Association and works a full-time job at McDonald’s. She is also an intern for the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Emergency Management, in partnership with the College's City College for Municipal Employment program. In the little free time she has, Jessica volunteers with CCP, at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and with Drexel University, assisting with Narcan research. Jessica’s involvement has made her a known name and face on campus and this year, she is proud to be selected as the student speaker at CCP’s 60^th Commencement ceremony.

Jessica was born and raised in Jamaica before moving to the United States with her father and brother at the age of 16. Once settled in at Overbrook High School in West Philadelphia, Jessica hit the ground running, getting involved in all kinds of work, projects and clubs. But one of the most impactful experiences she had was when she was 12 years old, still living in Jamaica. “One summer I got invited to...join this mediation group,” Jessica said. “They would provide student leaders with mediation training, that way when they return on campus for the upcoming semester, they'll be able to provide conflict resolution to students that are misbehaving or just trying to fight.” It was this training that made Jessica realize she wanted to work in a field that allowed her to debate and converse with others on important matters. “I started researching what careers this has,” she said. “I noticed that I liked...debating, so I kind of looked toward those careers, and I realized that I have an interest in becoming a corporate lawyer.”

In her internship with the City, Jessica focuses mainly on finance and administration. “I review...resources that have been purchased for emergency use while putting them into equipment, [asking] staff to keep track of all the budgets and stuff,” she said. It’s these fiscal and administrative tasks that have solidified Jessica’s interest in corporate law.

After graduation, Jessica plans to transfer to a four-year institution such as Drexel University or Temple University to study Criminal Justice, then pursue law school. She has received Drexel University's Promise Scholarship and a merit scholarship from Temple University for her next educational steps. She was also one of the first students to receive the most worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania and Jones Foundation scholarships, both of which will assist her in her next academic endeavor.

Jessica is proud to be able to represent the student body during Commencement. “I felt like being the student commencement speaker, it's just time for me to show them all my hard work and how CCP has enabled me to do all this hard work. So, it is just a rewarding moment for me.” Jessica is also proud to be a CCP graduate. “Everywhere I go, I let them know, ‘Hey, I'm from CCP,’” she said.

Celebrating its 20^th anniversary, Gateway to College is an alternative education program for School District of Philadelphia students, ages 16 to 21, who have disengaged from high school, but would like to earn a diploma. Students also earn college credit toward a degree or certificate. Here are three graduates from the Class of 2026:

August Giardina-Taylor

August (Gus) has maintained a 4.1 high school GPA and 3.6 college GPA. While in the Gateway program, he has effectively juggled schoolwork, traveling around the world playing volleyball as an international athlete, coaching volleyball at South Philadelphia high school and participating in Gateway to College's National Honor Society. Gus will be graduating with 56 transferrable college credits and has been accepted to Widener University, where he will receive the Presidential Scholarship, or $32,000 a year and up to $128,000 over four years.

Jasiah Jones Jasiah was inducted into the National Honor Society (NHS) Chapter at Gateway to College on April 9. He embodies the NHS tenets of scholarship, leadership, character and service. Jasiah has maintained a 3.1 high school GPA and a 3.1 college GPA. He will graduate with 50 transferrable college credits. Because of his commitment to academic excellence, Jasiah has been accepted to Rutger’s University with an $84,000 scholarship offer.

Aaron Aldrich

Aaron has maintained a 3.4 high school GPA and has achieved a 95% monthly attendance rate as a dual enrollment student. His commitment to his studies has allowed him to earn 43 transferrable college credits. He plans to continue his studies in business at Widener University and was offered a $136,000 scholarship.