After living in the U.S. for just four years, Adriana Lopez Sanchez has made incredible progress on her goals to learn English and graduate from college. She is on track to earn her associate degree in accounting from Community College of Philadelphia this December.

“It’s been hard,” Adriana said. “It’s been really hard. Learning a new language is like a whole journey. And it’s a journey that you don’t understand until you’re really immersed into that new language.”

In 2022, she moved with her 14-year-old son to Philadelphia from their home in Mexico City. Adriana and her son—who is graduating high school next year—both wanted to learn English and felt it wasn’t going to happen unless they were surrounded by the language. Adriana had taken some English classes in Mexico, but she knew she would learn more effectively in the U.S.

“And then we had a family situation in Mexico,” Adriana said. “My mom passed away and we were trying to find something new for us. We wanted something new to feel so much better about the pain and things that were happening to us.”

When they first moved to Philly, she started studying English at Temple University. After a short while, Adriana transferred from Temple to CCP. She said the transition was smooth and she appreciated saving money at the community college while still receiving high-quality education.

Community College of Philadelphia officially received certification to admit international students in 2003, and has admitted international students long before that time. The College currently has students from 57 different countries.

“CCP, it was a really good option with great professors,” she said. “It gives you the chance to open your mind and also to give you more clarity. It gives you the option to learn and decide where you want to go. What you want to do.”

From admission to graduation, International Student Services further assists students who hold or are seeking F-1 student visa status at CCP. The International Student Services team provides support to help international students complete the application and enrollment process, as well as navigate immigration rules and regulations. They  offer workshops and assistance in international orientation, tax prep, employment eligibility, post-grad options, obtaining a driver's license, housing, status maintenance and much more.

Adriana’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. It’s never easy making friends in a new place, and balancing education with parenting makes maintaining a social life that much more of a struggle. Not to mention the added difficulty of a language barrier.

Still, Adriana said she feels like she is part of the CCP community and enjoys living in Philly (she was wearing an Eagles sweatshirt while talking.) Becoming bilingual has been exciting for her.

“It’s been really fun,” she said, “but also sometimes I feel that it’s so, so hard. It’s been really hard learning a language, new topics, new terms, new vocabulary for accounting that I didn’t even know in Spanish. It’s a lot of information. But I’ve been enjoying it a lot.”

She sometimes marvels at how her quickly her son picked up English.

“The way he learned, it was so much faster,” Adriana said. “He finished middle school here, in Philly. At the end of middle school that year, he was basically fluent.”

Looking ahead, she is still figuring out what she wants to do next. Her son is researching colleges now, some of which are out of state. She could move back to Mexico—she said she was confident she could get a good job with her degree and fluency in English—but that’s not her first choice. She wants to be near her son, if possible.

For now, she is looking forward to graduating.

“I’m really proud of finishing,” Adriana said. “I’m really, really proud. I can’t believe it. I feel like it is a dream. It’s a real journey.”

She stopped to literally pat herself on the back. “Sometimes I don’t give myself the credit that I should give. Sometimes I need to be more thoughtful with myself. I’m really proud of myself.”

Earlier this year, Telemundo62 and NBC10 interviewed Adriana in both Spanish and English about her time as an international student in the U.S.

For Sierra Akers, a CCP alum and current Diversity Fellow in Behavioral Health and Human Services, the College is more than just an institution of higher education; it’s home. “At times, where I've needed some place to land safely and feel comfortable, I've come back to CCP,” Akers said. “Whether it was to go to school or to come back and get resources, and now even as an employee.” Through the Diversity Fellowship program, Sierra is receiving valuable teaching experience and mentoring as CCP works to increase faculty diversity. As we celebrate 60 years as a learning institution, we also celebrate lifelong connections with alum like Akers, one of several graduates who now work at the College.

“I'll tell you, my greatest memory from CCP really is the community that I built here,” Akers said. “My best friend, Marion Whaley, and I met here in the back of one of our [Behavioral Health and Human Services] classes, and we have continued to do life together.” It’s connections like these that make this place feel like home to so many students, faculty and staff.

But Sierra has taken more than just friends and knowledge from her time here at CCP. She’s gained a perseverance that’s helped her throughout her career and life in general. “CCP taught me to keep going, to just try again. If it doesn't work the first time, a do-over is not a failure,” she said. It’s this persistent attitude that brought Akers back to CCP as a Diversity Fellow and what will keep her connected as she moves forward in her career. "It prepared me to meet plenty of barriers in the world, but also how to pivot and keep going no matter what.”

Dr. Gayathri Banavara, assistant professor in Business Leadership, was recently selected for inclusion on the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and World Learning’s Fulbright Specialist Roster for a tenure of three years (2025–2028). This recognition is a significant professional achievement and a testament to Dr. Banavara’s expertise and contributions to her field.

The Fulbright Specialist Program pairs highly qualified U.S. academics and professionals with institutions abroad to share their expertise, strengthen institutional connections, hone their skills, gain international experience, and learn about other cultures while building capacity at receiving institutions. Specialists, who represent a wide range of professional and academic disciplines, are competitively selected to join this roster based on their knowledge, skill sets and ability to make a significant contribution to projects overseas. Once selected for the roster, individuals are then eligible to be matched with approved projects designed by institutions from more than 150 countries. 

The program aims to provide a short-term, on-demand resource to institutions outside of the United States, giving them greater flexibility in how they engage with Fulbright. Specialists are strongly encouraged to continue working with these institutions in the years following their initial exchange, creating opportunities for ongoing cooperation and consultancies.

Dr. Banavara is the chair and an assistant professor in Business Leadership, Fashion and Hospitality at Community College of Philadelphia. She has been designing, developing and teaching a variety of courses in leadership, negotiation, management and marketing for 13 years. Dr. Banavara is a Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) practitioner and has a deep interest in bringing experiential global education to the classroom.

Prior to her academic career, Dr. Banavara worked for more than18 years in the consumer goods industry in India, Canada and the United States. Her professional journey began in India, collaborating with artisans, weavers and global clients—including Harrods, Saks Fifth Avenue and Zara—developing culturally rich products that honored traditional craftsmanship while meeting international standards. Continuing the professional journey in Canada and the United States, her work helped businesses expand the manufacturing operations to a global supplier base. This role required navigating international logistics, cross-cultural negotiations and strategic planning across continents.

Dr. Banavara holds an Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership Studies from Northeastern University and Master of Science degree in Organizational Leadership from Mercy College. She is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and QM (Quality Matters) Certified Peer Reviewer for online courses.

This academic year, Community College of Philadelphia has added some exciting new programs into the fold. Learn more about the opportunities these programs can bring.

Electrical Engineering Technology A.A.S. degree

Science and Technology pathway

This program provides you with the foundational knowledge and skills to pursue further education or employment opportunities in electrical engineering and related fields. Through hands-on, laboratory-based coursework, you will leave the program feeling prepared to apply your skills to real-world problems. Choose one of two different tracks:  attaining employment following degree completion or transferring to a bachelor’s degree program.

Some career areas you can consider with this degree are manufacturing, marketing, technical sales or working as technical member of an engineering team. Learn more or contact assistant professor and department head of Engineering, Dr. Brandon Terranova at bterranova [at] ccp.edu (bterranova[at]ccp[dot]edu).

Behavioral Health and Human Services proficiency certificate

Education and Human Services pathway

Take an opportunity to further your educational and career opportunities in behavioral health and human services. You’ll gain cultural awareness, ethical considerations in human services and helping skills. The curriculum emphasizes the importance of effective communication and collaborative care in delivering services to diverse populations. Once completing this certificate program, you will be able to successfully support diverse populations including youth, people with disabilities and the aging.

This certificate program prepares you to work in entry-level roles in a variety of settings, including community health organizations, social service agencies and rehabilitation centers. Learn more or contact associate professor and program coordinator for Behavioral Health and Human Services, Dr. Terrilyn Hickman-Allen, at thickmanallen [at] ccp.edu (thickmanallen[at]ccp[dot]edu).

Clinical Trial proficiency certificate

Health Care pathway

Gain the comprehensive knowledge, core competencies and skills necessary for employment in the rapidly expanding field of clinical research in academia, and the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. You’ll identify research processes and phases of clinical research development of drugs, devices, and biologics, practice clinical trial design, and prepare for industry certifications.

Learn more or contact assistant professor of Biology, Dr. Marjaneh Razmara, at mrazmara [at] ccp.edu (mrazmara[at]ccp[dot]edu).

Restorative Justice proficiency certificate

Business, Entrepreneurship, and Law pathway

Focus on the expanding global social movement toward community justice approaches that empower impacted people and emphasizes accountability for harm and healing. The program provides you with both the philosophical and practical knowledge to facilitate and advocate for restorative processes such as community building and harm response circles in community, education, human resources, legal, and justice settings.

Apply the knowledge gained in this certificate program to almost any profession, but it pairs especially well with those who want to work directly with their communities. Learn more or contact assistant professor and project director, Sarah Byker James, at sbykerjames [at] ccp.edu (sbykerjames[at]ccp[dot]edu) or 215-751-8648.

Jonathan Lyndon Chase is an interdisciplinary, Philadelphia-based artist who works in painting, video, sound and sculpture to depict queer Black love and community amid the backdrop of urban and domestic spaces. They are also a proud graduate of Community College of Philadelphia. On Oct. 16, Chase came back to campus for an artist talk event where they shared some of their artwork and experiences working as an artist with our students, faculty and staff.

“I was unsure about going to college at first,” Chase said. “It was just where I was at in my life. But I was like, if I'm going to go to school, I'm going to do it for something that I really was passionate about. So, I enrolled into CCP.” Since Chase came from a family of artists, they were interested in art from a young age. After high school, they completed a summer oil painting program at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA), which led them to enroll in the Art program at CCP.

After graduating from CCP, Chase went on to study at University of the Arts, where they really started developing their own artistic style and identity. "I felt really, really, really prepared,” Chase said about the academic foundation they gained at CCP. “[I was able] be really consistent and start developing what a practice looks like.” During this time in their education, Chase embraced using unconventional canvases, such as bedsheets, trash and cardboard. “I was really experimental, and a lot of that stuff didn't survive,” they said.

Now a renowned artist in Philadelphia and around the world, Chase remembers their roots at CCP. They remember the ways in which their time here taught them foundational skills like time management, which has allowed them to thrive as an artist and a person overall. You can learn more about Chase and their artwork on their website, www.jonathanlyndonchase.com.

Q: What interested you about this position at the College?

A: I hope to share my knowledge and experience in contributing to a diverse, welcoming environment within a world-class city—one where learning extends beyond the classroom into the surrounding community and greater metropolitan area. This position will enable me to build meaningful connections and create opportunities for faculty, staff and students within an institution that embraces a global perspective.

Q: How do you think your leadership skills and experience will benefit students and your employees?

A: Having taught at the high school, community college and university levels—both undergraduate and graduate—I bring a comprehensive understanding of the educational landscape and can clearly articulate the breadth of these experiences. I have held leadership roles including program director, department chair, associate dean, dean and vice chancellor in multiple cities and states across the United States. In addition, my international experiences span Canada, Jamaica, Australia, the U.A.E. and Germany, among others. My guiding leadership principle aligns with Simon Sinek’s belief that “leadership is not about being in charge, but in taking care of those in your charge.”

Q: How do you plan on contributing to student success?

A: I bring a “do-what-it-takes” mindset to ensuring that students are fully supported and able to complete their academic goals. I draw on my knowledge and experience to guide them while actively listening to their needs so I can provide holistic support. Student success is the driving force—my why—behind everything I do.

Q: What do you hope to collaborate on with colleagues around the College?

A: Global education, AI, teaching and learning, and any additional areas where my expertise can add value.

Q: What are you looking forward to accomplishing in this role?

A: I am eager to advance sustainability and growth, with the details shaped collaboratively alongside my Business and Technology colleagues.

Q: What hobbies and activities do you enjoy outside of work?

A: I enjoy traveling, both domestically and internationally. As a Florida native, I grew up visiting theme parks, and the big kid in me still loves them today.

This semester, Community College of Philadelphia launched a new, monthly series, “Power Hour,” which aims to connect students with elected officials and leaders across industries and disciplines within the city. The purpose of these sessions is to create a safe space for uplifting and meaningful dialogues about topics essential to the well-being of our community members and our city. Each event has offered meaningful discussions about resources and first-hand experiences to inform and inspire attendees.

The first event on Sept. 15, with the theme Sharp Minds Start Here, focused on mental health awareness and available resources available to our communities. The College welcomed three guest speakers: State Representative Regina Young of the 185th Legislative District; City Councilmember Anthony Phillips of the 9th Council District; and Kenneth McDuffie, a chef, culinary entrepreneur and media personality. The panel was moderated by Elisa King, a counselor at CCP, who fielded questions from the audience.

The Oct. 7 Power Hour, Power at the Polls and Beyond, focused on the importance of voting and using your voice to create change in the community. The event featured guest panelists Omar Sabir, chair of City Commissioners, County of Philadelphia; Abu Edwards, director of the Mayor's Office of Black Male Engagement, City of Philadelphia; Keir Bradford-Grey, Esq., department lead of Civil Rights Litigation, Marrone Law Firm; and Nyia Moore, Philadelphia-based lifestyle entrepreneur, author and influencer. Malika Rahman, assistant professor and curriculum coordinator of Criminal Justice, served as the moderator.

Guest panelists at the Nov. 18 session, Resilience, Representation and the Road to Leadership, spoke about their personal and professional journeys, how they overcame obstacles, and the importance of diversity in leadership, especially for youth. Attendees had the opportunity to learn from the experiences and insights of Dr. Nina Ahmad, an At-Large member, Philadelphia City Council; Rickey Duncan, the CEO of New Options More Opportunities (NOMO) Foundation; Judge Timika Lane of the Pennsylvania Superior Court; and Rochelle Bilal, sheriff of Philadelphia County. The conversation was moderated by Billy Love, an associate professor of Criminal Justice.

The Chief Engagement office looks forward to continuing Power Hour events in the spring 2026 semester and offering students, faculty, and staff empowering and enlightening discussions with Philadelphia leaders.