Educators and their students share a powerful link. That’s the teaching philosophy of Njemele Tamala Anderson, CCP alum and award-winning English teacher at Science Leadership Academy at Beeber. It’s an idea she shares when coaching new teachers.

“Our destiny and the destiny of the children in our classrooms are linked because they are the inheritors of society,” Njemele said. “And they’re going to come back in contact with us, either directly or with someone in our line. And when they do, something that we have implanted in them should rise up in them.”

As she explained, educators should teach beyond the lesson plan. In the classroom, students should be developing critical thinking skills that empower them to navigate the world as empathetic, questioning people. And educators should encourage students to develop a deeper, more complete understanding of the world around.

The best teachers, Njemele believes, see education as their mission, not just a job. “I’m a teacher, and teaching is something I love doing,” she said. “I believe this is what I’ve been called to do.”

One teacher Njemele remembered having a profound impact on her was CCP Professor Clifford Waiters. Professor Waiters taught Njemele’s African American Literature class when she was a CCP student from 1992 to 1994.

“His line was always, ‘You have to engage the literature,’” she said. “He had this passion for what he was teaching. It was the way he invited free thought about the literature, but also challenged you to produce your best work. He had a care and concern about pushing you to produce the best of yourself with that work.”

“I loved that man,” she said.

Love and care is at the core of Njemele’s philosophy.

“You need to teach students as somebody that you love,” she said. “Teach them like you would want someone to teach your child, your daughter, your niece, your favorite little cousin.”

Njemele’s approach to teaching has earned her recognition from her peers, including the 2025 Lindback Award for Distinguished Teachers from the Philadelphia School district and the Educator of the Year award from The Philadelphia Citizen.

After graduating CCP in 1994 with a liberal arts degree, Njemele went on to earn a degree in education from Temple University. She completed her student teaching at William Penn High School before starting her professional teaching career at Imhotep Institute Charter High School in 2005. Over the past two decades, she taught at William Penn High School, Mastery Charter School at Shoemaker, Imhotep Institute Charter High School, Strawberry Mansion High School and Freedom Schools before coming to Science Leadership Academy at Beeber, where she currently teaches English and works as restorative dean of the school.

Njemele and her husband are raising three daughters—“It’s mommy, teacher, wife. They’re all tied for first,” she said with a laugh.

In the near future, she plans to start her own high school, called Linked Destinies Academy. Njemele’s vision is to create a private school with a sliding fee scale to make it as accessible as possible. It would start as a 9th grade institution and would grow to include more grades one at a time.

And while running the school, she never plans to stop teaching.

“That’s another one of my philosophies,” she said. “I believe every administrator should be teaching while they’re administrating. It keeps you engaged with the work.”

As the name implies, Linked Destinies Academy would be a symbol of the connection between students and teachers.

“I know that children are the inheritors of the world,” Njemele said. “The decisions that they make will impact me at my old age when my hair is falling out and my teeth are falling out. Because these students will be the decision makers of the world. So, I have to give them everything that I have.”

Dr. Brian McCloskey currently serves as Chestnut Hill College’s eighth president. He is a graduate of Community College of Philadelphia, earning his associate’s degree in Applied Science in Accounting in 1990. Read through the Q&A below to learn a little about his time at the College and his journey to becoming President of Chestnut Hill College.

Q: What did CCP teach you? How did it prepare you for where you are now?

A: When I entered CCP to begin my college journey I was not right out of high school, I waited about 2 years and started as a part-time, evening student. College was a challenging transition from just working to working and going to school. At CCP, I learned to budget my time, prioritize and work in teams. I remember specifically needing a study group with Statistics! I’d like to think that any success achieved in my professional and educational life has roots at CCP.

The Community College of Philadelphia provided an opportunity for a kid from the Feltonville section of Philly to truly be all he could. Education provides many opportunities for individuals, and I am living proof that one can aspire to become anything, even a college president!

Of the many things I learned at CCP, perseverance and discipline are at the top!

Q: What’s your greatest memory from CCP?

A: It would be difficult to list one single greatest memory from CCP, as I had many. I would have to say though, that the comradery with my fellow evening students was something I remember fondly, especially at the Northeast Regional Center. Also, there were many times at the end of a semester where a group of us would go out to celebrate the culmination of the semester now behind us, so, fun times.

Q: What would you tell anyone thinking about attending CCP? Why did you choose CCP?

A: If anyone were to suggest they were thinking about attending CCP, I would say go, 100% without reservation, take that leap! You will be tested and pushed to your limits, but anything worthwhile would always require effort. At CCP, you will find out your limits and then you will exceed them! CCP was a place where I discovered my abilities as a student, and I was incentivized to do more. I remember having some amazing professors, many inspired me to not just continue my pursuit of a degree but to one day enter the classroom as an adjunct. I’ve been teaching for 35 years, as an adjunct, one of the most rewarding parts of my career, and I thank CCP for that motivation.

As for why I chose CCP, it was simple: flexibility, accessibility and affordability. I remember to this day writing that check for my first class in school (I paid my own way through college), and without the affordability of CCP I don’t know that I would have completed. College is an investment, one that requires resources, and I didn’t have much, so it was important to get a quality education at a reasonable price. I found that at CCP.

Q: Describe CCP in 3 words and explain why you chose them.

A: Three words to describe CCP for me are inspiration, dedication, and perseverance.

Inspiration, as I was inspired to continue my academic journey not just in the classroom but in my career. In addition to being an adjunct, I have worked full time in higher education for almost 35 years. At CCP I fell in love with this industry!

College leadership, staff and students gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony Jan. 13 to mark the café’s return, which will serve a growing NERC community. 

The café closed in March 2020, primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting shift to remote instruction, reduced on-campus activity, and public health considerations. As on-campus enrollment and student presence have steadily increased since then, the demand for accessible and affordable food options has also grown.

“Bringing the café back into service is a direct response to student feedback, campus surveys, and public health considerations as student enrollment and demand for accessible and affordable food options have increased,” said Dr. Alycia Marshall, president of Community College of Philadelphia. “You all took the time to tell us what the community needed, and we listened.”

The decision to reopen the café is student-centered and needs-driven, with student feedback, campus surveys and daily observations indicating a clear need for convenient food and beverage options that supported students who spend extended time on campus for classes, work and academic support services.

With the reopening of the café, a handful of student work opportunities have also become available. Mekhribon Asadullaeva and Justin Rhoades are two students who are working in the café this semester. “Working at the NERC Café has been a great experience so far. I really like the job, especially because it helps me develop strong communication skills while working with others and interacting with customers,” said Mekhribon.

And for Justin, he loves bringing joy to his fellow students. “The most important part for me is seeing the other students' faces light up when they realize they now have the option to grab lunch between classes, or before they start them,” he said. “The café was long overdue, and I'm glad to be a part of what we have now.”

The café is set to operate as a grab-and-go concept, offering quick, affordable and familiar food choices designed to accommodate busy student schedules. Planned offerings include

fresh salads and yogurt options, hot items such as fries and chicken tenders, coffee and tea selections, and convenient packaged and ready-to-eat items.

Contacts

Community College of Philadelphia:
Antwon R. Martin
267.666.7881
armartin [at] ccp.edu (armartin[at]ccp[dot]edu)

American Council on Education:
Jon Riskind
202.697.0741
jriskind [at] acenet.edu (jriskind[at]acenet[dot]edu)

Carnegie Foundation:
Kito Cetrulo
650.566.5100
kcetrulo [at] carnegiefoundation.org (kcetrulo[at]carnegiefoundation[dot]org)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 22, 2026

Community College of Philadelphia receives 2026 Community Engagement Classification from Carnegie Foundation
CCP is the only community college in Pennsylvania to receive the classification

PHILADELPHIA — The Carnegie Foundation announced that Community College of Philadelphia has received the 2026 Community Engagement (CE) Classification. The CE Classification is an elective designation awarded by the American Council on Education (ACE) and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching that highlights an institution’s commitment to community engagement.

CCP is the only community college in Pennsylvania to receive the CE classification, and is one of just 237 U.S. colleges and universities that received the designation this year. A listing of all the institutions that currently hold the classification endorsement can be found here.

“Earning the Carnegie Classification positions CCP as a national model for how community colleges can lead in community engagement, civic responsibility, and applied impact,” said Dr. Alycia Marshall, president of CCP. “The classification affirms CCP’s role as a public anchor committed to advancing educational equity, economic mobility, and inclusive growth across Philadelphia.”

The classification endorsement recognizes colleges and universities that demonstrate institutionalized, reciprocal, and measurable community engagement, which is a standard CCP met through decades of intentional partnership-driven work.

“This achievement underscores CCP’s role as a leader in community-engaged education across the Commonwealth,” said Dr. Seth Jacobson, acting vice president of Strategic Initiatives and Community Engagement and executive director of the Octavius Catto Scholarship at CCP. “The application showcased long-standing partnerships with the City of Philadelphia, public schools, community-based organizations, employers, and nonprofits—all designed to address real community needs while supporting student success.”

The CE Classification is awarded following a process of self-study by each institution. The classification has been the leading framework for institutional assessment and recognition of community engagement in U.S. higher education for the past 19 years with classification cycles in 2006, 2008, 2010, 2015, 2020, 2024, and now 2026. The 2029 cycle will be for first-time applicants.

“Higher education is a vital economic engine for us all. Our colleges and universities not only fuel science and innovation, they build prosperity in rural, urban and suburban communities nationwide,” said Timothy F.C. Knowles, president of the Carnegie Foundation. “We celebrate each of these institutions, particularly their dedication to partnering with their neighbors—fostering civic engagement, building useable knowledge, and catalyzing real world learning experiences for students.”

The application highlighted the leadership of the College’s Institute for Community Engagement and Civic Leadership, which led CCP’s Carnegie self-study, coordinating cross-divisional data collection, narrative development, and evidence of impact to ensure an institution-wide, authentic representation of CCP’s community engagement work.

“Through its ongoing work, the Institute plays a central role in strengthening civic learning,” said Michelle Lopez, director of the Institute for Community Engagement and Civic Leadership at CCP. “By supporting faculty and staff engaged in community-based scholarship and practice, and by deepening reciprocal partnerships across Philadelphia, CCP is helping to institutionalize community engagement as a core value of the College and the students we serve.”

A total of 277 institutions currently hold the designation. The 2026 cohort includes a diverse range of institutions, with 157 public institutions, 80 private colleges and universities, and 81 Minority Serving Institutions represented among the recipients.

“The institutions receiving the 2026 Community Engagement Classification exemplify American higher education’s commitment to the greater good,” said ACE President Ted Mitchell. “The beneficiaries of this unflagging dedication to public purpose missions are their students, their teaching and research enterprises, and their wider communities.”

The application for the 2029 Community Engagement Classification will be available in January 2027. More information about the application and timeline can be found online.

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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 60 years, the College has lived up to its mission and goals by providing educational access for over 700,000 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.

About the Carnegie Classifications
The Carnegie Classifications are the nation’s leading framework for categorizing and describing colleges and universities in the United States. Utilized frequently by policymakers, funders, and researchers, the Classifications are a critical benchmarking tool for postsecondary institutions. ACE and the Carnegie Foundation announced a partnership in February 2022 to reimagine the Classifications to better reflect the diversity of postsecondary institutions and more completely characterize the impact that today’s institutions have in society.

About ACE
ACE is a membership organization that leads higher education with a united vision for the future, galvanizing our members to make change and collaborating across the sector to design solutions for today’s challenges, serve the needs of a diverse student population, and shape effective public policy. As the major coordinating body for the nation’s colleges and universities, our strength lies in our diverse membership of nearly 1,600 colleges and universities, related associations, and other organizations in America and abroad. ACE is the only major higher education association to represent all types of U.S. accredited, degree-granting colleges and universities. For more information, please visit www.acenet.edu or follow ACE on X @ACEducation and LinkedIn.

About the Carnegie Foundation
The mission of the Carnegie Foundation is to catalyze transformational change in education so that every student has the opportunity to live a healthy, dignified, and fulfilling life. Enacted by an act of Congress in 1906, the Foundation has a rich history of driving transformational change in the education sector, including the establishment of TIAA-CREF and the creation of the Education Testing Service, the GRE, Pell Grants, and the Carnegie Classifications for Higher Education. Today, the Foundation is dedicated to the transformation of the American high school and making the postsecondary sector a more vital engine for economic mobility.

As Community College of Philadelphia celebrates its 60th anniversary, the College’s Department of Nursing hosted a CCP staple that has honored Nursing students for more than half of the institution’s history. The Nursing Student Day, held every fall semester, dates back more than 30 years.

The celebration brings together all the College’s Nursing students, including first-year, second-year and post-baccalaureate students, for a day of professional development, connection and celebration. During last semester’s Nursing Student Day, attendees packed the Great Hall in the Winnet Student Life Building where they heard from professionals in the industry and a panel of Nursing graduates.

The keynote conversation was led by Dr. Laureen Tavolaro-Ryley, professor of Nursing and the Independence Foundation chair in Nursing at CCP, and featured Dr. Elaine Tagliareni and Rhonda Carter. Dr. Tagliareni is a former professor of Nursing at CCP, the College’s first Independence Foundation chair, and current professor emerita in the School of Nursing at the MGH Institute of Health Professionals. Rhonda Carter is a psychiatric nurse practitioner at Philadelphia Health Management Corporation.

“It’s an important thing, the compassion and the realization that you are truly helping other people live their best life,” Rhonda said during the discussion. “I think that is the most amazing part of the job for me. Just being able to help people get to the next day.”

Dr. Tagliareni spoke about her time as an educator at CCP and the many possibilities an education in Nursing provides.

“When an opportunity comes your way, a lot of times grabbing onto it, even though you may not feel you are fully prepared, will take you in directions you can’t even imagine now,” she said. “No one starts out knowing where they’re going to end up, but I am grateful that I started here, which was really the development of me as a leader.”

“It’s wonderful as a nurse to go through life to know that you’re doing meaningful work,” Rhonda added. “And so many people don’t have that luxury.”

Attendees also heard from Wenonah M. Carney, financial literacy student success coach at CCP, about practical ideas for financial wellness and ways to cultivate an “abundance mindset” to help students support their growth as caregivers and the growth of their communities.

Nursing Student Day presentations concluded with a panel of former students who all graduated from CCP Nursing programs. Alumni panelists included Idris Caldwell, Ashley Castle-Smith, Shaun Collins, Zaphir Kennedy, Jehna Stainthorpe, and Rebecca Weinstein.

The Community College of Philadelphia and Spring Garden Records 2025–2026 Artist in Residence is Mikel Patrick Avery, a percussionist, composer/improvisor, filmmaker, photographer, and designer of modern pedal and electronic instruments. Avery doesn’t limit himself to the confines of what music and art traditionally are, but instead explores outside all artistic boxes, encouraging his collaborators to do the same. This year, his collaborators are CCP Music students, who have been very receptive to Avery’s creative process.

“I'm a full immersionist, I love diving into and obsessing about topics,” Avery said. “And when it comes to where that topic lives, I'll pick anything from film to music to dance. Whatever allows the idea to be best expressed.” Avery explains that his creative process really stems from a love of exploring something completely unknown and leaning on his creative mind to lead it somewhere. When he first began playing and making music at the age of 11, Avery was entirely self-taught, and he continues to lean on those self-teaching skills now.

“Working with CCP, it's been a joy,” Avery said. “I don't see myself as a musician only, so I talk about a lot of different forms of making. And hopefully, talking about the different types of making, the students can relate to it and apply it to their own process or their own journey.” Avery hopes to instill some of his out-of-the-box thinking in the students he’s working with this year, and so far, he feels he’s been successful. “All the students have been responding to it,” he said. "I like the openness of the students to kind of just run with me and trust that it's worth engaging with.”

The College is grateful to work with Avery this year and is excited to experience his final project, to be released this summer, the culminating activity of the residency. You can learn more about Avery’s work on his website.