For Community College of Philadelphia Architecture student Enisa Nazaj, art has always been an interest and a hobby that she’s kept close. In fact, it’s what inspired her to choose her major and challenge her drawing skills further. It’s also what inspired her to apply for a Parx Gender Activism Micro Grant earlier this year—to create artistic postcard designs celebrating Women’s History Month.

Enisa is an international student, new to Philadelphia and to the United States. She is originally from Albania and came here at the suggestion of her cousin to affordably pursue an education. “Ever since I came here, I thought that the best way to get settled and get involved was to look at the College’s engagement opportunities,” Enisa said. While browsing the organizations and clubs that she could join, Enisa signed up to get emails from the Gender and Sexuality Resource Center. This is how she learned about the Parx Gender Activism Micro Grant. “I got an email, and I just applied. I didn't know I would actually get it.”

Enisa’s project consisted of creating artistic postcards that incorporated historic female figures and inspirational quotes. Some of them even included images of inspiring CCP alumni. “I remember that always in my home country, we would do postcards, me and my cousins. It was like a tradition,” Enisa said. She wanted to take this personal tradition and turn it into a way to share women’s strengths and celebrate women around the world during Women’s History Month.

After being awarded the grant, Enisa took the next few months to create five different postcard designs by hand that would then be copied and printed to distribute at CCP events celebrating Women’s History Month. “It was about their character and the story of each of these women, what they had been through and what they had achieved,” Enisa said about her artistic vision. “Some of the quotes were about strength. Some of them were about inspiration.” All of them celebrated women and their achievements.

Enisa is so glad that she pursued this opportunity and feels like it helped her get more connected to people in her community at CCP. “I really enjoyed it. I met some very cool people at the [Gender and Sexuality Resource] Center, some very pleasant women, and it was fun to do the postcards,” Enisa said. “It was a good way to pass my free time, like to be productive, actually. And I would love to do it again or do similar things.” Enisa was awarded $500 for her work on this project, and additional funds to print and produce the postcards.

Congratulations to Enisa for being awarded and successfully completing this Parx Gender Activism Micro Grant project.

At this year’s Alumni Reception event, Community College of Philadelphia welcomed 2002 graduate, Yamilet del Carmen, back to campus as a guest speaker to share some of her incredible experiences since graduating from the College. Yamilet has always seen education as the key to progress on both an individual and global level, which is what’s led her to build the Del Carmen Foundation, a nonprofit aimed at helping disadvantaged youth gain access to education in Venezuela and the United States, the two places Yamilet considers her own. And this year, she’s working with the CCP Foundation to establish a scholarship program for CCP students.

Yamilet is originally from Venezuela and came to the United States in 1999 to continue her education. “My parents had very few resources, but through dignified and honest work, they were able to give me the valuable opportunity to study,” Yamilet said. She explored various colleges and universities before finding her way to CCP. “For me, CCP was my second home here,” Yamilet said. “I never felt different or segregated, only supported and included.”

She quickly became involved on campus, serving as a Student Ambassador, Spanish tutor, chair of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Scholarship Committee and secretary of the International Students Association. Yamilet was also part of the All-Pennsylvania Academic Team of Phi Theta Kappa, which secured her a scholarship. After graduating from West Chester with a bachelor's degree in Business, Yamilet and her husband opened a restaurant together. Impacted by her time at CCP, she was committed to maintaining a strong relationship with the College. This connection led her to hire fellow CCP alums as waitstaff and kitchen employees.

Yamilet has carried on this tradition of connection with CCP and bringing her trusted community members into the fold. A CCP professor that was particularly impactful for Yamilet, Dr. Francie Woodford, now serves as the Del Carmen Foundation’s director of Education. “She encouraged me to be involved in many activities,” Yamilet said. This involvement at CCP is what Yamilet sees as the building blocks for her passions and successes over the years.

In 2022, Yamilet decided to turn her focus to uplifting her communities and give her own life a stronger sense of purpose. This is how the Del Carmen Foundation was born. Yamilet states, “I said ‘I want to have a life with purpose, something that makes me happy.’ Through all my years, I helped here and there. But I wanted to have something more a formal.”

Since 2022, the Del Carmen Foundation has helped thousands of children in Venezuela. “We have helped nearly 4,000 children. We collect backpacks, food supplies, sports equipment, etc.,” Yamilet said. Additionally, when the foundation expanded its mission to include support for Philadelphians too, they were able to award six local students with scholarship support. And this year, they are aiming even higher.

“This year, we are going to support 12 students in Philadelphia, two of whom are going to be right here from CCP,” Yamilet said about the expanded efforts. “All of this will be possible thanks to our next fundraiser that will be in mid-September. We are going to do Zumba for Education!”

CCP is proud to remain connected to Yamilet and work with her to help change the lives of students right here on our campus, in addition to those she serves in Venezuela. It is clear that Yamilet lives her life with her dreams in focus, where she can give back to the communities that brought her to where she is today. “CCP provided the positive environment and support to pursue [my] dreams and to continue looking to the future,” Yamilet said. “Together, we can build a future full of hope, action, and success with persistence and optimism.”

You can learn more about the Del Carmen Foundation here.

Fatima Abbas is a 2005 Community College of Philadelphia graduate and was this year’s Black & Gold Gala Alumni Achievement Award honoree. She was recently featured in The Philadelphia Inquirer for her many accomplishments.

Fatima currently serves as director of Tribal and Native Affairs at the U.S. Treasury Department. She spoke with CCP for a Q&A about her upbringing, accomplishments and motivations.

How would you describe yourself?

I would describe myself as a professional dedicated to supporting economic development in underserved communities with a focus on indigenous communities. My interest is based on my background growing up in Philly in a low-income neighborhood and being of mixed heritage—my mom is Native and my dad is Pakistani. Both life and professional interests led me to this pathway.

What do you do in your role as director of Tribal and Native Affairs?

I help the 574 tribes in the US gain access to capital so that they can run businesses and generate revenue for health care. So, an example would be providing small business financing so they can start a health care clinic in a rural area. And that health care clinic both provides services, but also provides revenue so that they can further develop. The work that we do provides access to capital in the private sector for indigenous communities.

What was your path to CCP like?

I mostly grew up in Philadelphia, in the Feltonville-Olney section. I was homeschooled for high school, and I graduated when I was 16. I was ready to go to college academically, but I wanted a more supported atmosphere, so that led me to CCP. All the programs that existed, and the really intense focus on retention and pursuing different opportunities, really attracted me to CCP.

And one of the things that really attracted me was the transfer programs. It wasn’t just a two-year college, it was a two year as a pathway to a four year. It was a pathway to a graduate education. So, that’s what really led me to CCP. And I had heard so many success stories from folks who went to CCP that went on to lots of excellent other schools.

When I went, my brother went after me and then my mom also went. We started a tradition in my family.

What was it about CCP that made it a family affair?

It was just a very welcoming environment. And there were people from all kinds of different backgrounds. My mom was coming back to school after she had gotten an associate degree from Peirce College in, I think, the ‘70s. She had always wanted to go back to school, but she was the full-time bread winner.

When I was in school, I was meeting all these people who were much older than me, but were her age and were going to school or going back to school. And that helped me encourage her and say that the school’s got a lot of training, they make it easy for you […] there weren’t difficult entrance tests, you didn’t need an SAT in order to get in, and the support to stay was big.

A lot of adults who were returning to higher education, they often had full-time jobs and that was the case with my mom. I learned about all these resources and I basically became the messenger for her through my study at CCP

Where did you go after CCP?

I transferred into Temple. When I was at Temple, I had gotten into the London School of Economics for a master program, but I couldn’t afford to go. I took the LSAT and ended up going to law school. I went to Berkeley Law. I pivoted from economics to law, but I ended up doing economic development.

From what I heard when I was at Berkeley, they really appreciated that I had talked about CCP in my essay as part of my educational journey. A lot of students come from Ivy League backgrounds. I had talked about being exposed to folks from so many backgrounds and my neighborhood and that made me really passionate about economic development for underserved communities. I was able to get into a top school without any Ivy League background because they also value public education.

How did CCP help prepare you for what followed?

At the US Treasury Department, I would say it’s majority Ivy League because the treasury is mostly finance and economics. It is a very rarefied, privileged world, but when I talk to people about my background and my education, I always say, “I went from CCP to Berkeley Law.”

While my background is not common in my area, I would say it is appreciated because it shows tenacity. It’s the American dream to move up.

The professors that CCP had, they helped me to expand my options about what I might want to do and also really look at my skillset. I was going to go into economics or public health. My professors said, “Oh you’re really good at writing, you’re good at public speaking, you might want to consider law,” which is eventually the pathway that I ended on.

I feel like the smaller class sizes really help the professors see talent in the classroom and encourage them. The base courses that I took all transferred to Temple, so that was great. And the quality of education was good, so when I went to Temple and took higher level classes, I was prepared. The curriculum that CCP had was preparing students for the next step. It wasn’t easier. It was part of that pathway.

What would you tell someone considering CCP or someone on the fence about going to college at all?

I would say if you’re on the fence about going to college, the entry requirements aren’t difficult for going to CCP. […] You can just take one course or maybe two—that’s actually how I started at CCP. I didn’t take a full course load because I was 16. I took one or two courses. I was like, “Oh, I can do this!” And then I took more.

Think beyond the two-year college. Ask, what career would you like to have? And then chart your courses, learn about the transfer programs, and then really tap into the alumni network. Especially in a city like Philadelphia, CCP is so embedded in the community that there are a lot of people in different areas who might have begun at CCP. That alumni network while you’re a student is as valuable as it is when you depart and become an alum.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 18, 2025

CCP is one of just 830 schools nationwide earning special awards for going above the standard

PHILADELPHIA — Community College of Philadelphia is proud to announce it has earned the 2025-2026 Military Friendly School Silver designation. Institutions earning this designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey.

“Only select institutions earn the honor of being named a Military Friendly School,” said CCP interim President Dr. Alycia Marshall, “and we are proud that Community College of Philadelphia has been recognized for providing an environment that holistically supports our veteran students. The College’s Veterans Resource Center goes above and beyond to ensure veterans have access to key services that empower them to achieve their academic and professional goals.”

“It’s an honor to see Community College of Philadelphia recognized for our dedication to our veterans,” said Dr. Darren Lipscomb, associate vice president of Enrollment Management at CCP and combat veteran of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. “The Military Friendly School designation offers proof to veterans interested in enrolling at CCP that we make a point of supporting our student veterans at every step of their educational experience, in the classroom and beyond.”

More than 1,800 schools participated in the 2025−2026 survey, with 830 earning special awards for going above the standard. The 2025-2026 Military Friendly Schools list will be published in the May and October issue of G.I. Jobs magazine and found at militaryfriendly.com.

“Being named a Military Friendly School sends a message to veterans and their families that we understand the unique experiences of those who have served and how those experiences can impact an education,” said Christina Kinlaw, coordinator for Veteran Programming at CCP and a United States Marine Corps veteran. “The Veterans Resource Center at CCP provides empathetic care and resources to our students, creating an environment that supports veterans on a personal level.”

Methodology, criteria, and weightings were determined by Viqtory with input from the Military Friendly Advisory Council of independent leaders in the higher education and military recruitment community. Final ratings were determined by combining the institution’s survey scores with the assessment of the institution’s ability to meet thresholds for Student Retention, Graduation, Job Placement, Loan Repayment, Persistence (Degree Advancement or Transfer) and Loan Default rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans.

“Military Friendly is committed to transparency and providing consistent data-driven standards in our designation process,” said Kayla Lopez, vice president of Military Friendly. “Our standards provide a benchmark that promotes positive outcomes and support services that better the educational landscape and provide opportunity for the Military Community. This creates a competitive atmosphere that encourages Institutions to evolve and invest in their programs consistently. Schools who achieve awards designation show true commitment in their efforts, exceeding the standard.”

For more information about our student veteran programs, visit our Veterans Resource Center webpage.

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About Military Friendly Schools
The Military Friendly® Schools list is created each year based on extensive research using public data sources from more than 8,800 schools nationwide, input from student veterans, and responses to the proprietary, data-driven Military Friendly® Schools survey from participating institutions. The survey questions, methodology, criteria and weighting were developed with the assistance of an independent research firm and an advisory council of educators and employers. The survey is administered for free and is open to all postsecondary schools that wish to participate. Criteria for consideration can be found at www.militaryfriendly.com.

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 50 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 Viqtory
Founded in 2001, VIQTORY is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) that connects the military community to civilian employment, educational and entrepreneurial opportunities through its G.I. Jobs® and Military Friendly® brands. VIQTORY and its brands are not a part of or endorsed by the U.S. Dept of Defense or any federal government entity. Learn more about VIQTORY at www.viqtory.com.

On May 27, 2025, Community College of Philadelphia hosted its first graduation ceremony for the inaugural cohort of the City College for Municipal Employment (CCME). The event celebrated more than 20 students who worked hard to invest in themselves and the City of Philadelphia. The CCME program is a partnership between CCP and the City of Philadelphia that provides workforce training and a pathway to employment, free of charge, to eligible students. This program increases access to education and helps prepare individuals for careers in city government.

Karen Abney was one of the first to graduate from CCME’s Business and Administration pathway. She finished the program in December of 2024, and her accomplishment was celebrated at the May 2025 ceremony along with her fellow CCME graduates. Karen came to the program after taking a hiatus from previous employment with the City. Little did she know that after completing the program, Karen would find herself in an administrative role within CCP’s CCME office itself.

“When I enrolled in this program, my goal was simple: to enhance the skills I had developed over time and take them to an even greater level,” Karen said. “What I didn’t expect was how much I would grow—not just professionally, but personally.” For Karen, the CCME program opened more than just job opportunities for her. It opened her eyes to ways to build greater empathy for folks within and outside the workplace. Karen found the power skills course that was required for the program to be particularly impactful.

"So, the power skills [course] is like [building] communication skills and trying to de-escalate, learning how to talk in regard to body language and then reading body language,” she said. Karen added that in the course, students were tasked with role playing certain scenarios and participating in honest evaluation of each other, all of which got her out of her comfort zone and showed her how to effectively express herself and help others do the same. She feels that this skill will help tremendously in her new role as she learns to work with students, faculty and staff.

Karen’s unique perspective as a graduate of the CCME program is also a valuable asset to her role in the office. Since she started, Karen has already seen how the program is growing and evolving to better suit students’ needs. “I see different things being added, so it's like, ‘OK, this is really taking off!’ I like to watch it grow.”

Karen is also gaining new insights in the role and seeing how other staff members handle their responsibilities and tasks. “So basically, right now I'm learning how everything is operating,” she said.

Karen is so glad that she participated in the CCME program because now she can bring the skills she learned and honed into her role in the CCME office at CCP. She recommends the program to anyone who is interested and eligible. “You can't beat the program. I mean, when I say it's free, it’s true. It's no cost to you, but just your time, your energy and your commitment.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 16, 2025

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

Community College of Philadelphia Foundation celebrates community at 2025 Black & Gold Gala
This year’s gala raised more than $635,000 to support student scholarships and support services

PHILADELPHIA – Last Thursday, the Community College of Philadelphia Foundation hosted the 2025 Black & Gold Gala at Vie by Cescaphe. The event was emceed by 6abc’s Rick Williams and Mayor Cherelle Parker served as honorary chair.

With 300 attendees, this year’s gala raised more than $635,000. Funds raised during the event directly support scholarships and support services for students at the College.

As the CCP Foundation’s signature fundraising event, the Black & Gold Gala has now raised more than $4 million since 2018 to support student scholarships and support services.

"Each year, the unwavering support shown at our Black & Gold Gala reaffirms the profound connection between this city and its community college,” said Interim College President Dr. Alycia Marshall. “I am deeply honored to serve a community that so wholeheartedly invests in the success and well-being of our students. This event was a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when educators, leaders, and neighbors come together in shared purpose. It was a privilege to celebrate the remarkable individuals who make our mission possible and to honor the achievements of our students—both past and present—who are using their CCP education to drive meaningful change in Philadelphia and beyond.”

Platinum sponsors at this year’s Black & Gold Gala were Parx Casino and John Alchin and Hal Marryatt.

“The money raised at our gala directly supports the scholarships and support services that make a difference in the lives of CCP students,” said Tim Spreitzer, CCP Foundation president. “I can’t give enough thanks to my fellow Foundation Directors and the College’s Board of Trustees. Each year, they come together to demonstrate that the Black & Gold Gala is more than a fundraiser—it is a joyful celebration of our students and the community that lifts them up.”

In addition to raising funds for scholarships and support services, the Black & Gold Gala recognizes the outstanding service of individuals and organizations in the City of Philadelphia who demonstrate involvement in community growth in the areas of education, business, social services and health. This year’s honorees:

• Alumni Achievement Award: Fatima Abbas, director of the Office of Tribal and Native Affairs within the United States Department of Treasury, and CCP Class of 2005 graduate
• Community Hero Award: Susan Sherman, longtime nursing educator and advocate, and former president and CEO of the Independence Foundation (1996 to 2024)
• Corporate Leadership Award: Joe H. Tucker Jr., founder and CEO of Tucker Law Group, and president-elect of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers

Individuals and organizations interested in supporting Community College of Philadelphia students can still make a one-time or monthly contribution by visiting foundation.ccp.edu/donate.

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About the Community College of Philadelphia Foundation
The Community College of Philadelphia Foundation exists solely to enhance and enrich the educational experiences of Community College of Philadelphia students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community. As its philanthropic fundraising arm, the Foundation supports the College's comprehensive mission by creating partnerships with individuals, businesses, organizations, and other foundations to raise private contributions in support of scholarships, programs, facilities, equipment, professional development, and greatest needs.

The Community College of Philadelphia Board of Trustees is proud to announce the promotion of 10 faculty members. The Board congratulated the newly promoted faculty members during their monthly meeting on Thursday, June 6.

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

“As a former faculty member, I deeply appreciate the vital role our professors play in cultivating the academic and intellectual heart of the institution,” Dr. Marshall said. “It was a privilege to join our Board of Trustees in honoring the outstanding achievements and lasting contributions of our faculty, and to celebrate their well-earned promotions.”

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

“CCP’s professors have a proud history of bringing their whole personality into their work as educators,” said Harold T. Epps, chair of the CCP Board of Trustees. “Each of the 10 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. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we congratulate them!”

The 10 faculty members who received promotions are:

• Dr. Faye Allard, Social Sciences – promoted to professor
• Dr. Mozhgan Bahadory, Chemistry – promoted to associate professor
• Michael Hackett, Computer Technologies – promoted to associate professor
• Dr. Terrilyn Hickman-Allen, Behavioral Health – promoted to associate professor
• Laurence Liss, Computer Technologies – promoted to associate professor
• Jeffrey Markovitz, English – promoted to professor
• Kelly McQuain, English – promoted to professor
• Dr. Beena Patel, Biology – promoted to associate professor
• Kate Sanchez, English – promoted to associate professor
• Jennifer Schneider, Paralegal Studies – promoted to associate professor

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.