On Sept. 23, The CCP Six jazz ensemble serenaded an appreciative crowd gathered to celebrate the countdown to the College’s 50th anniversary.

Faculty, staff and administrators in the band harmonized on jazz melodies and entertained the crowd, as many munched on donuts and pastries, ate anniversary cookies, wore anniversary buttons and sipped their morning coffee in the Bonnell Circle.

The band, which had only rehearsed once, included music instructor Mary Ellen Desmond on vocals; instructor Grander Smith on the keyboards; instructor Tim Schilling on guitar, student Kayla Brewer on the saxophone, and a guest Shane Aaserud on bass. Dr. Donald “Guy” Generals, wearing dark shades, kept the beat on the drums. (He formerly served as a back-up drummer for Cissy Houston, mother of Whitney Houston.)

On September 23, 1965, the College first opened its doors for classes. To mark its upcoming 50th anniversary, it is hosting a year-long celebration to commemorate the past, with events both solemn and festive, and to reimagine the future.

Alfred Nicholson drove to campus that morning as he has done on many occasions over the past decades. The College not only provided him with a strong educational foundation, it served as a career springboard for his family. “I went here. My former wife (a nursing graduate) went here –my grandson, and my two daughters,” said Nicholson.

A year after he received his associate’s degree, as a part of the College’s second graduating class, the institution he grew to love gave him a job in human resources, and that opportunity would transform his life.

“I loved it. Still love it. I enjoyed working at Community College and working with the College Family. It was like a family. It was a great place to work,” said Nicholson who retired as affirmative action officer.

And it was a great place to make lasting friends. Alfred’s grandson, Rodney Nicholson, an officer at PNC Wealth Management, met the woman he would later marry on campus. Rodney also found a professional mentor and friend in Richard S. Downs, an alumnus, philanthropist and retired executive who regularly invests in the College’s students.

Throughout the year, the College is encouraging students, faculty, alumni and staff to share stories on the microsite, www.ccp.edu/50. The 50th anniversary website features a detailed timeline of College history, video clips and photos, and interviews with standout alumni, along with a place to post congratulatory messages and share memories.

The 50th anniversary coincides with the Golden Anniversaries of legislation expanding access to opportunity, civil rights and voting rights in America. The Civil Rights Act was signed into law July 1964, and the Voting Rights Act was enacted in August 1965, just seven weeks before the College opened its doors to Philadelphians like Downs who had limited options for higher education.

Over the next year, the College, its faculty and its Student Government Association will be highlighting this era of expanding opportunity, and this institution’s integral connection to it, by hosting a series of events and voter registration drives. The first drive was held on Sept 23, when 82 new voters were registered.

Other events over the next 12 months will reflect upon rich moments in history, and celebrate America’s diverse voices. U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel Anthony Alito, Jr. will accept the Edward R. Becker Citizenship Award during an invitation-only event at the College on January 15.

 The Fox Rothschild Center for Law and Society will host a year-long retrospect on the city’s interaction with MOVE, a black liberation group, including the City’s decision to bomb a house on Osage Avenue. Lectures, panel discussions, films and other activities and exhibits are planned.
Philadelphia, you’re invited.

Check out the 50th Anniversary site and join us on Facebook and Twitter.

As colorful flags representing Spanish speaking countries fluttered from the ceiling of the Great Hall in the Winnet Student Life Building, more than 100 members of the College family and their guests enjoyed Latin music, fajitas and uplifting messages during the 5th Annual Hispanic Heritage Month Luncheon on October 1.

Students took the stage to discuss their paths at Community College of Philadelphia and shared career goals. Dr. Donald Generals, College president, opened the program and welcomed the audience in Spanish.

The luncheon was one of several events planned to mark Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15 to October 15. Upcoming events include a conversation on identity differences on October 14, a Muestra de Arte (Art Show) on October 16 featuring work by actor and artist Paolo Andino and a Latin Caribbean Concert on October 22.

Student speaker Juan Quintero, a Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management major, spoke briefly about his chance to work at Disney World. In 2011 and 2012, he applied to the Disney College Program, a competitive internship that immerses students in Disney’s world-famous hospitality culture. Only a fraction of program applicants are accepted into the program each year, according to news reports.

“Disney came to the College and spoke about the program and gave a presentation. If they hadn’t come, I wouldn’t have known about it,” said Quintero, whose goal is to become a renowned chef. “As an intern, I learned how to interact with guests. I was used as a translator since I’m bilingual. I was a good team leader and I assisted the managers and filled in as a cook when needed.”

Cynthia Huertas, a Business Administration major and treasurer for the Student Government Association, added that her creativity has blossomed here. “I write poetry. I write songs for R&B and Rock,” she said. “There’s a lot of talent here, which is why I’ve been networking and meeting people.”

Ms. Joann Gonzalez-Generals, the former executive director of student success at Caldwell University in New Jersey delivered the keynote speech. Gonzalez-Generals, who is married to Dr. Generals, shared her life story and stressed the importance of completing an academic credential.

“I am the proud daughter of immigrants,” Ms. Gonzalez-Generals said. “My mother was born in Colombia and my father and stepfather were Dominican. I am a first-generation college student.” She said her parents taught her that education was the key to financial independence. “My mother would say, ‘Stay in school so that you’ll never have to rely on anyone’,” she said.

As the nation’s largest racial minority, the progress made by Hispanics today affects the well-being of society, Gonzalez-Generals said. “If Hispanics are not educated, that would be devastating to all of us in the country,” she said.

In closing, she encouraged students to reach for their dreams. “Sometimes, you have to take the leap and build your wings on the way down,” she said. “Don’t be afraid to take risks. Take your chances, or someone else will.”

Lynette Brown-Sow, vice president of Marketing and Government Relations, described Philadelphia as a city built on diversity where many different views come together to create a shared vision of hope. She was among business and community leaders who were invited to use art to express what makes and keeps a city hopeful. Her artwork is among the pieces displayed in Defining a Hopeful City Through Art, an exhibition that runs June 26 through August 29 on the 4th floor, northwest corner of City Hall. Brown-Sow, a lifelong Philadelphian not formally trained as an artist, created a piece titled, City of Hope. “I built my City of Hope out of different colors, materials, symbols and textures and brought them together to mirror the diversity of Philadelphia and illustrate that with a shared history and a shared vision of the future, our differences can bring us together rather than set us apart,” she says in her artists’ statement. “Like the infinite circle of a rounded stool, knowledge and wisdom come from all around us, and we become our wisest selves when we open our eyes, minds and souls to the wisdom of others…. Together, and with the roots planted by generations before us, we have reason to be hopeful…”

The business and community leaders were originally asked to create the artwork for the annual Hopeful City gala held November 2013, which supported BuildaBridge International, a nonprofit organization that uses art to bring hope and healing to children and families in crisis. The City’s Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, and BuildaBridge International are exhibit sponsors.

The College honored employees for outstanding service during the April 30 Honors Tea in the Mint Building Rotunda.

The League for Innovation in the Community College gave Tara J. Timberman, assistant professor of English, and Kathleen M. Smith, J.D., professor of Paralegal Studies and director of the Fox Rothschild Center for Law and Society, the Innovation of the Year Award for Community College of Philadelphia for their Reentry Through Higher Education Achievement program. Dr. Judith Gay presented the award.

Jenavia Weaver, coordinator for Student Life and Leadership, received the Presidential Award for Distinguished Service for an Administrator.

Gilberto Gonzalez, graphic designer in the Division of Marketing and Government Relations and host of Entre Nosotros on CCPTV, received the Presidential Award for Distinguished Service for Diversity.

Lisa Burns, of the Northeast Regional Center, received the Presidential Award for Distinguished Service for a Classified/Confidential Employee.

Deborah D. Rossi, professor of Medical Assisting and Head Department of Allied Health, received the faculty Presidential Award for Distinguished Service.

Environmental services employees Paula Perry-Gable, Felipe Cruz; and assistant professor of Nursing, Petrina McFarlane, received certificates of appreciation and honorary nursing pins for their efforts this past fall to help a faculty member who collapsed and needed medical attention.

Fourteen employees who trained in the Leadership Institute developed projects intended to enhance the student experience and strengthen the institution. The Leadership Institute nurtures leadership among employees while also fostering collaboration and a deeper understanding of the College mission. Working in teams, the employees developed four different projects intended to address an institutional challenge or improve the student experience. Those who are interested in contributing ideas to their projects are encouraged to contact the project members.

Allan Kobernick, Yvonne Ellis, Monique Black and Osvil Acosta-Morales developed a project called Sound Off. The project offers a sound-off booth for students to express their opinions about their experience at the College. Feedback will be directed to the appropriate departments and will be used to raise awareness of student issues.

Anela Gjika, Angela Miles and Carlos Diaz developed a project called Culture of Advocacy. The project aims to determine why certain students are not using the services in place to help them succeed. The project seeks to identify areas for improvement across the College to help foster a culture of student advocacy.

Lynsey Grace, Jeffrey Haines and Desiree Rivers developed a project called CCP 101 designed to provide information, resources, support and continuous training to Student Affairs staff. CCP 101 will demonstrate how various departments are interdependent.

Rainah Chambliss, Wanda Gibson, Maria Littles, and Billy Love developed a project called Steps on the Path, which seeks to provide resources for students on emotional well-being.

The employees were acknowledged with completion certificates during the April 30 College Honors Tea.

Anyone who spent time on Main Campus this past year likely crossed paths with Jason Mays, president of the Student Government Association (SGA).

Mays seemed to be everywhere. He supported the first free book exchange hosted by students. He represented students by contributing insights to the Presidential Search Committee, the Institution-Wide Committee and the Middle States Reaccreditation Committee. He worked alongside fellow veterans, helping them transition to college. He was spotted in the corridors of the Mint Building, directing students who had lost their way.

These are just a few of the reasons Mays, 30, was named Student Leader of the Year during an April 10 Student Leadership Awards ceremony. Others honored that evening included students Jamere Lawrence, (Outstanding Leadership); Felici Wilcox (Outstanding Service); Stephen Fortt (College Mission Award); Juan Quintero (Outstanding Innovation); and Aaron Hill who received the Rising Star Award.

Mays blossomed into a leader over time, Steve Bachovin, coordinator of the Veterans Resource Center recently told a reporter for the Philadelphia Daily News. “Jason was very shy, very introverted when he came here,” Bachovin said. Mays said he took small steps at first, joining the Veterans Club, and later the dance club Ritmo Latino. “I just kind of wanted to come here for classes, then leave,” he said. “It was at the direction of the social worker at the Veterans Administration that I joined the Latin dance club and started to open up.”

Military service helped him develop leadership capability as well.  “In the Army I learned that to be a team leader, you have to respect your team. When you’re actually in the field, you learn that respect goes both ways,” Mays said.

That perspective proved useful at a highly diverse College where he inspired students across generations to collaborate, solve problems and serve the community.

A member of the Class of 2014, Mays recently earned an Associate in Arts in Business Administration. He has been accepted at Drexel University, though he has not yet decided on a transfer institution.

Instead, he plans to take a few additional classes at the College this fall and spring, and complete a second term as SGA president. Students re-elected him in April.

While representing his peers, Mays believes he found his true calling — politics. “I’ve sort of become interested in continuing to serve the people around me,” he said.

The College's Regional Centers presented Distinguished Leadership Awards to high school, business and community leaders during a series of neighborhood breakfasts on April 29, 30 and May 1. This was the 15th year the Regional Centers presented the awards to honorees who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to their community.

The Northeast Regional Center held its award ceremony on April 29. The winners were:

Business – Kent C. Lufkin, President and CEO, 3rd Fed Bank
Education – Rob Caroselli, Principal, Fox Chase Academics Plus School
Public Official – The Honorable Bobby Henon, Councilman 6th District, City of Philadelphia
Faith-Based – Rev. Scott C. Dorsey, Pastor, Mount Zion Baptist Church of Holmesburg
Community Service – Seth Kaplan, Chief of Staff, Office of State Rep. Kevin Boyle
Youth – Laura Naylor, Senior, Archbishop Ryan High School

The Northwest Regional Center held its award ceremony on April 30. The winners were:

Business – Pamela Rich-Wheeler, Co-founder and Executive Director, The Business Center for Entrepreneurship & Social Enterprise
Education – Michael Cruz, Program Manager, Operations and Grant Development Office of Early Childhood Education, Head Start Program, School District of Philadelphia
Public Official – The Honorable Cindy Bass, Councilwoman, 8th District, City of Philadelphia
Faith-Based – Clement M. Lupton, III, Pastor Beloved, St. John Evangelistic Church
Community Service – Alex Peay, President and Founder, Rising Sons
Youth – Shemaiah Clarke, Senior, Mastery Charter School – Pickett Campus

The West Regional Center held its breakfast May 1. The winners were:

Business – Patricia Fennell-Peaks, Senior Analyst, PECO
Education – Ana E. Núñez, M.D., Associate Dean of Urban Health Equity, Education and Research, Director of the Center of Excellence and Women’s Health Education Program, and professor of Medicine at Drexel University
Public Official – The Honorable Robert A. Brady, U.S. Representative, 1st Congressional District
Faith-Based – W. Lonni Herndon, Senior Pastor, The Church of Christian Compassion
Community Service – George Stevens, President, Lancaster Avenue 21st Century Business Association
Youth – Isaiah Gordon Senior, Mastery Charter School – Thomas Campus

Associate professor of English Ann Silverman is saying goodbye to the College this year, but not before leaving it with a remarkable legacy.

This past fall, she instructed and led 17 advanced English as a Second Language students in a multimedia project designed to engage the students, as well as the broader community, in learning activities. Each of her students received a camera to take photos of his or her neighborhood, and then narrated brief videos that provide a glimpse of the life and culture in these neighborhoods.

“They had to write about these photographs, and then practice narrating them. They learned about the city,” Silverman said.

On the video the students described neighborhood locations, the architecture of buildings and offered historical facts about sites shown in the photos. Arnold DiBlasi, associate professor and head of academic computing, assisted by turning the video snippets into a 33-minute documentary called “Settling In.”

Silverman’s students had immigrated from Armenia, China, Columbia, Sri Lanka, Qatar, Pakistan, Vietnam, Venezuela, India, Ivory Coast and Morocco. They, and their families, settled in various sections of the city, including Holmesburg, North Philadelphia, and South Philadelphia.

Aurora Deshauteurs, curator of the Print and Picture Collection of the Free Library of Philadelphia, collaborated with Silverman on the initiative and visited the class during the year to offer pointers on using photos to document history. The class also visited her department at the Central Library to look at archival photos of city neighborhoods.

Silverman was among 27 retiring faculty and staff members who were honored during the annual retirement celebration on April 17 in the Sandra E. Klein Cube. A celebratory dinner was held later that evening at R2L, a restaurant on the 37^th floor of Two Liberty Place. The retirees’ years of service ranged from 10 to 47. This year’s group included Thomas Hawk, Ph.D., former vice president for Finance and Planning, and treasurer; and Jane Grosset, director of Institutional Research.

Silverman said she plans to trade the lectern for a classroom desk during retirement. “I plan to finish learning Chinese,” she said.

She also plans to volunteer at the Free Library of Philadelphia.

U.S. Senator Robert P. Casey (D-PA) visited Community College of Philadelphia on April 25 to accept the Judge Edward R. Becker Citizenship Award, which is named for a respected jurist noted for his humanity, humility and powerful decisions.

Casey used the occasion to discuss food insecurity, an issue that often remains hidden from public view. Just last year, U.S. Sens. Casey, Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) introduced the Good Samaritan Hunger Relief Tax Incentive Act, which would expand and create permanent tax incentives for businesses that donate to food banks.

At the award ceremony, Casey called food security, among children especially, an issue of justice. House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan's (R-WI) budget plan includes cuts in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program) of $137 billion — 18 percent — over the next ten years.

"If we make cuts like this, in my judgment, I hope I don't offend someone in either party, you do rob people. You rob children of basic food security. You will rob children of basic health care. You don't help the rest of us along the way. There is no fiscal justification for those kinds of cuts. They are damaging to all of us. They diminish all of us."

Seated in the audience was Quaris Carter, a student at Community College of Philadelphia who has been both homeless and hungry at times. Afterwards, Sen. Casey met and spoke with Carter, who told him that his efforts to promote food security make a difference to Philadelphians struggling to stay in school, pay for rent and food, and obtain a college degree.

"For me to actually meet a senator in person, it showed that he actually cared. I actually felt empowered, more than just reading a book or article about him," Carter explained after the event. "I was telling him that by him providing funds pertaining to food, it actually enabled me to have the basics that helped me concentrate more on the academics. Food. Shelter. Clothing — these are all essentials. “Once I had the food, the shelter, and the clothing, I was able to concentrate on my academics."

Carter shared some good news with Senator Casey: he would be among the 2,376 candidates for graduation at Community College of Philadelphia's Commencement on Saturday, May 3. Carter, who has a 3.2 grade point average, is planning to transfer to La Salle University, where he has received a scholarship.

The recent increases to the Pell Grant, which Sen. Casey also supported, offered support along his educational journey, as did the College's new Homeless Student Support Project, which helps those facing homelessness or unstable housing situations. Quaris currently survives on roughly $8,000 a year, money he receives from the federal Pell Grant and student Work Study programs.

Sen. Casey and Quaris discovered that they shared yet another important connection. When Sen. Casey taught fifth grade in North Philadelphia, he used to ride SEPTA'S Route 33 bus, which carries people in the neighborhood to work, shopping and places that prepare them to lead better lives.

Casey made note of that as he accepted the Becker Award and discussed a few of the insights gained while riding the bus. One night, he watched a woman lug five to six bags of groceries onto the bus, and began to understand that — in this neighborhood — public transportation serves as a lifeline.

"It was one of those moments when you have an insight you didn't have before. I thought to myself, that is how she can get the groceries. Without that bus, she can't provide for her family. Then you begin to think of the other implications. That is how people get to work. So I learned a lot about this city and its people by riding the 33 bus."

Turns out that is the same bus route that Quaris Carter now takes to get to his college classes.

"I especially was impressed when he talked about riding the 33 bus because that's what I ride to get to school," Quaris said later.

Sen. Casey, for his part, praised the work of America's community colleges, which offer students from all walks and stages of life opportunities to gain marketable skills and prepare for transfer to four-year institutions.

"Community College of Philadelphia is one of those institutions on a statewide basis that we take for granted. What happens here, the higher learning, the workforce development and skill development, that is such a substantial part of our economy. The American economy will only be as strong as our community colleges."

This year, hundreds of students found extra dollars to help pay for their education as the College launched its partnership with Single Stop USA, a nonprofit that enables us to connect students to state and federal financial resources and local community services.

The program, which began in October, has served more than 1,000 students including more than 750 students who received assistance preparing their tax returns, netting them more than $1 million in refunds to date.

In addition, Single Stop offered assistance for students who needed help navigating the Health Insurance Marketplace. On January 28, Single Stop staff launched the health care enrollment assistance sessions to familiarize students with health insurance options on Healthcare.gov and help them meet the federal deadline established for March 31, 2014.

“Working with our partners, we were able to help students enroll in health care plans that went from 12 cents per month to $120 per month, depending on their household income level,” said Paula Umaña, Single Stop project director.

The College partnered with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Health Federation of Philadelphia, a grant-funded organization working to enroll people through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Health care navigators provided by those two organizations came to the College and worked with students in a computer lab in the Bonnell Building.

“It helped them translate all of the information that’s on the plan. Most people have about 24 plans to scroll through when they are shopping for health insurance on Healthcare.gov,” said Daniel Flynn, a health insurance counselor with Health Federation of Philadelphia.

More than 350 students attended the sessions and approximately 30 percent eventually enrolled in health care plans with monthly premiums.

Many Happy Returns

In addition to affordable health care enrollment, Single Stop’s free tax preparation services helped to provide students with a boost as well. Volunteer tax professionals from the Campaign for Working Families prepared student tax returns in Single Stop’s tax sites in the Mint Building.

Chantal Warfield, 43, a student studying to become a nurse, said normally she uses a tax preparation store, but decided to give the Single Stop tax preparers a try since it’s a free service. She’s glad she did. “It was good news,” Warfield said referring to her tax return. “They were very polite and they took their time.”

As Single Stop wrapped tax season, staff began to offer free financial empowerment workshops ranging from understanding credit reports to managing debt. Learn more about Single Stop.