This fall, Community College of Philadelphia will introduce two new certificate programs, one new degree program and three updates to current certificate and degree paths. In doing so, the College hopes to help students stay on the forefront of today’s job markets and to give professionals new opportunities to supplement their skillsets. 

New and improved two-year degree programs include Public Health, Biomedical Equipment Technology and Education, while new certificate programs have been created for Project Management, Personal Training and Religious Studies. 

For students who want to study the broader effect of disparities within health care systems and look to create change in the communities they serve, a Public Health degree will be added to our renowned Department of Allied Health. Students looking to transfer to four-year institutions will have the opportunity to participate in dual admission at a number of institutions within Philadelphia, such as Temple, Drexel and Arcadia universities. 

For students who wish to study the maintenance and repair of technologies used within the medical field, our Biomedical Equipment Technology degree provides a direct line of entry into the workforce. By combining what was previously two certificate programs, this degree program offers complete working knowledge of relevant technologies as well as the opportunity to continue into a four-year program with junior standing at partnering colleges and universities, or directly enter the workforce. 

By consolidating our Middle Level, Secondary Humanities/Social Studies, and Secondary Math/Science education degree paths into one program, our new Education – Middle and Secondary level degree will provide a well-rounded set of course offerings that gives students the flexibility to enter a variety of education programs at the four-year college of their choosing. With nearly two dozen colleges participating in our dual admissions program, students can transfer to the Pennsylvania state college of their choosing with junior standing and become board certified Pennsylvania state educators. 

The Department of Business and Technology’s most recent certificate program, Project Management, will prepare students to excel past entry-level employment and step into higher-level roles with an understanding of how organizations can function at their best. Gain real-world experience through hand-on courses and transfer these new skills into fields like health care, information technology, construction, finance and advertising.  

The Religious Studies program has been adapted into a proficiency certificate program, giving the opportunity for students to understand and compare the nature of human spirituality and faith as a supplement to their majors and professions in health and human services. Those who work in or plan to enter fields like social work, medicine and education can gain the knowledge they need to build trust and create bonds with people of all different cultural and religious backgrounds. In an ever-changing and globally interconnected world, cultural understanding and the ability to empathize are some of the most valuable soft skills that can be exercised by those who serve the public.  

For fitness enthusiasts who want to gain knowledge of human biology, help others succeed and quickly acquire new professional qualifications, the College is introducing a Personal Training Proficiency Certificate. Upon completion of this program, students will be prepared to sit for a Personal Trainer Certification exam offered by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), or comparable certifying organizations.  
 
 

Connecting people to resources is not only a passion for Tia Watson; it’s what she does for a living. Tia serves as the Southeastern Pennsylvania Regional Director for United States Sen. Bob Casey and has been assisting the community to find and utilize helpful resources through strategic planning and advocacy efforts.

“I love my job, and I love what I do,” Tia said. “It brings me so much joy knowing I’m in a position to help people who look like me and live in the neighborhoods like where I grew up.”

But to get where she is now, the connection was Community College of Philadelphia.

Tia was born and raised in Philadelphia, and grew up in Frankford, a low-income section of the city. Between her neighborhood and family, Tia didn’t have many people around her that she could seek out advice from about college because none of her immediate family members attended college. But Tia’s mother always encouraged her to go to school and “get a good job.” With limited resources and direction, it made it harder, and Tia had to figure it out on her own.

So, after graduating from Frankford High School, Tia went on to attend Penn State Schuylkill, but admits she did not take it as seriously as her mother had hoped. Tia attended the school for one year before ending the semester on academic probation. She then returned home and enrolled at Community College of Philadelphia with the intention of taking a few classes to get her GPA up.

“It was a big adjustment, and I just wasn’t focused,” Tia said of her first years in college. “I wasn’t serious about being there, and I didn’t take advantage of the experience, especially the opportunity to learn from and engage with the professors. I was just there, almost as if it was just something to do.”

Tia never returned to Penn State, and instead took some time off. She took an opportunity to move to California, where she lived for a few years but later returned home as a soon-to-be mom. Upon returning, Tia continued working in former U.S. Congressman Chaka Fattah’s office to support herself, and, with his strong advisement and encouragement, Tia enrolled at the College again. But this time it was different.

“I was pregnant and was more focused on finding direction for my life because I now needed to provide for my son,” she said. “It was clearer to me how important education and obtaining a degree was, especially knowing that I’ll be providing for my child. Graduating from college was the first step for me.”

Because she was pregnant, Tia took full advantage of the counseling opportunities the College offered. She connected with her counselor regularly to discuss her possible careers with a Communications degree.

“She gave me so many options that I had no idea existed, and she explained how my skills were transferable,” Tia said. She recalled the dedication her counselor showed, taking into account Tia’s existing government work and course roster to help her determine the various ways she could stay involved.

“My favorite classes at [the College] were Public Speaking and Interpersonal Communications,” Tia said. “What I learned in those classes was extremely impactful and have stayed with me until today, and that’s why I value my CCP experience.”

Tia graduated from the College in 2008 with an associate degree in Communications and then went on to Temple University to complete her studies, graduating with a degree in Strategic Leadership in 2010. She sustained her position in Congressman Fattah’s office handling constituent services. Although she had been doing that for some time, it didn’t fulfill her desire to help residents locally. Upon her return to Philadelphia, her excitement to help the City and the community was what she knew she wanted to do with her career.

“I was home again,” she said excitedly. “I knew Philly, the issues, the people. I had a good understanding of what people needed. So, I needed to be closer to the community.”

An opportunity soon arose for Tia to work on Councilwoman Cindy Bass’ campaign as she ran for re-election, and she then joined the team as chief of staff. This gave her the chance to be on the ground listening to the residents and working with them to determine ways to improve the quality of life for all Philadelphians. Ultimately, Tia moved on from her position, taking on new opportunities within city government and nonprofits as her career progressed. Working with an array of organizations, she began to notice a pattern. Tia was becoming a “connector” as many of her roles connected people to resources—government or otherwise—that could help them. She takes great pride in being able to elevate messages and concerns that otherwise would not have been heard.

In an attempt to assist a friend looking for a new position, she stumbled upon a posting for Philadelphia Regional Representative in Sen. Casey’s office, which she secured, and started on a new journey for her career. Tia was recently promoted in May to her current position as director, where she is a liaison for Sen. Casey and the southeastern PA region, and spends much of her time strategically building relationships and identifying meaningful ways for Sen. Casey to engage with constituents, especially regarding issues related to Black and brown youth and grassroots organizations.

“That’s what I enjoy most about my job,” Tia said. “Being a Philly native and seeing so much of what I’ve seen growing up, it’s amazing being able to go back into the communities, some of which are intrinsically a part of my story, and now being able to expose and connect them to resources and opportunities they didn’t think they could experience.”

As she reflects on the impact of her time at the College, Tia has this to say:

“Community College of Philadelphia was the foundation for my journey. It was there that I was exposed to the vast array of possibilities; it was the amazing leadership at the College that forced me to tap into my potential. It was CCP that further opened my eyes to the world of public service and the many ways in which I could make a difference.”

Earning an Automotive Service I proficiency certificate in 2019 was the culmination of Jovie Last’s lifelong interest in mechanics, tools and working with her hands. Later in life, she realized that automotive service represents an industry where all three components, plus problem solving, are used all day, every day, and would be an enormously satisfying career choice.

“Toys had a great effect on me growing up, especially Erector and Tinkertoy sets,” said Jovie.

She is now taking the PennDOT Emissions Inspector Certification course and is already certified to perform all other functions for PennDOT annual safety inspections of automobiles and light trucks. With previous positions at a dealership and as a technician at Girls Auto Clinic in Upper Darby, Jovie focused on teaching women about automobiles while providing excellent service to customers, and expanding her experience and expertise.

“Girls Auto Clinic has an environment that tailors the repair experience to women by being very conscientious about explaining why a part fails and what a certain system does. I was a customer before I became a mechanic myself,” she said.

Jovie has led two virtual Lunchtime Lessons through The Science Center where she talked about automotive basics and finding her passion for her current career path. In order to demystify the maintenance process and create a better experience for both owners and technicians, she is now hosting hands-on basic car care workshops for women at clients’ own homes. Jovie teaches attendees where in their automobile and online they can find their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), tire size and tire pressure specification, and what type and how much oil their vehicle requires. She helps participants take these details and develop a vehicle information sheet that can be kept in the glovebox for easy reference. Participants also learn how to check fluid levels and air filters, change wiper blades and tires, and search Google for advice and information regarding issues with their vehicles. The women can ask general questions, and they also leave the session with a tire pressure gauge and tire tread depth gauge.

Jovie credits the College for getting her started on this career path.

“I have a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts, and I worked in the financial, construction and music industries in administrative and public relations roles. But I wanted more active, hands-on work.  At Community College of Philadelphia, I learned what I can expect going into the field. I received all the practical training I needed to enter the auto service industry,” she said.

While pursuing her proficiency certificate, she landed a part-time position at Center City Toyota as a basic service technician—the result of a Career Meet-and-Greet hosted by the Automotive Technology program at the College. She then moved on to Enterprise Rent-A-Car full time. 

Just as automobiles continue to change and move forward, Jovie is intent on acquiring additional skills to keep pace with the industry. She is enthusiastically waiting for the completion of the College’s new Career and Advanced Technology Center in West Philadelphia, which will allow the Automotive Technology programs to expand and incorporate diesel and heavy equipment technology, more alternative fuel programs, and more manufacturer certifications.

“I want to continue to learn and grow, and see where cars are going in the future. It’s never too late. I’m just getting started,” she said.

Anyone interested in a car care session can contact Jovie at jlast215 [at] yahoo.com (jlast215[at]yahoo[dot]com).

George Washington Carver High School of Engineering and Science graduate Essence Gaines had no doubt that she would go to college. It was which university she would attend that was up for debate because there were many factors to consider -- costs, distance, and personal financial ability and freedom.

As part of a college tour hosted by Mighty Writers, a non-profit program that teaches kids to write, Essence visited Community College of Philadelphia, less than 2 miles away from her high school. During the visit, the tour guide showed the group around the College and provided great insights to success, including how to apply to scholarships when applying. Essence, not thinking much of it at the time, applied.

“I was surprised when someone from the College reached out to let me know that, not only had I been accepted into the school, but that I would be offered the 50th Anniversary PROMISE Scholarship, too,” Essence said, as she recounted her initial shock.

The College’s intuitive scholarship application process allows for students to complete a single application which then sorts and filters students’ qualifications and eligibility to match them with over 100 available scholarships. The 50th Anniversary PROMISE Scholarship offers eligible Philadelphia high school graduates a no-cost college tuition as they pursue an associate degree. Continuation of the award is reliant upon scholars maintaining specific academic requirements.

Essence then began to rethink what her college experience would look like. Compared to other options, the College was significantly more cost-efficient and closer to her North Philadelphia home, also making Essence rethink being far away from her parents. She decided to attend a 50th Anniversary PROMISE Scholarship informational meeting, and it was from that point on that she knew she was making the right decision to attend Community College of Philadelphia.

Essence was excited for what she’d learned about the scholarship and what it would offer her during her time at the College. She soon discovered the true benefits and advantages of attending college without the hefty price tag.

“Without stressing about how I’m going to pay for school,” Essence said, “I can focus on other important things like attending helpful workshops. The best part is, I’ve have been able to connect with other people and I can concentrate on school and just life in general.”

The scholarship has provided Essence a “burden-free” mentality and the opportunity to take full advantage of all that the College has to offer toward students’ academic success.

“Worrying about paying for college is stressful,” Essence said. “The added pressure of affording tuition is gone and that helps tremendously when you don’t have a source of income, like me when I started school.”

Essence believes the scholarship program, which requires participation in success support programs, has allowed her to do so much more in terms of furthering her professional experiences. She regularly attends events and workshops which she says have encouraged her to embrace the intergenerational relationships she’s fostered since joining the program. She’s interacted with professors at networking events and increasingly those encounters have influenced her and helped her feel empowered to do more.

“The more I interact, the more I feel a part of the [College] family,” she said. “The staff really care for the students and programs. They check in to make sure we are able to function as students and humans. They have made this scholarship and experience great!”

Essence has been an active member of her community as she consciously looks to give back and find ways to educate others and herself in the process. She devotes time to community service  at Olney Elementary, will serve as a host on an upcoming, live-streamed program that promotes youth-based wellness and resiliency organizations, and has volunteered at the Dover Street Library and the 28th annual African American Children’s Book Fair, at its last in-person event, hosted at the College, before the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Using her experiences and education as a Black Studies major, Essence plans to follow the career path to become an educator to Black children. Essence said she’s doing it all for her goal of becoming a teacher and she manifests the idea of building a school or space for youth in her future. Ultimately, she said, “I want to expand my family’s knowledge of the world and Black people’s dominant role in it.”

Andreas Copes is a Community College of Philadelphia Mass Media alumni who was named one of 24 Point Foundation Community College Scholars in spring 2020. Now he/they is being recognized once again for contributions made to local media discourse, as well as for volunteer work in his community. In the spring of 2021, Andreas was selected once again for a prestigious Point Flagship Scholarship out of more than 2,000 applicants.  

When Andreas graduated from Community College of Philadelphia in 2020, he moved on to Temple University with a plan to not only succeed academically, but to make positive changes in Philadelphia as well.  

Having been awarded the 2020 Point Scholarship for Community College Students, Andreas was first recognized for his passion for journalism and advocacy. Working through projects like Phi Theta Kappa’s Honors in Action, Copes established a relationship with a local Planned Parenthood chapter and hosted advocacy events to raise awareness on the barriers that prevent people from accessing sexual health care in the U.S. He also hosted CCPTV’s Focal Point, a magazine show that covers timely topics and campus happenings.  

Now in 2021, Andreas is being recognized by Point Foundation once again for his devotion to creating media content that informs its audience on issues that affect marginalized communities. Identifying as an intersectional feminist, Copes’ work at Community College of Philadelphia provided a launching point for his academic career at Temple when he pitched a queer magazine show at Temple’s TV station. Now a host and co-producer of QT – Queer Temple, Andreas’ work is being recognized and used as educational material for media students. Copes also continues to volunteer with local a Planned Parenthood office. 

In the future, Andreas aspires to one day be a part of an independent queer, intersectional feminist media outlet. “We need to own our narrative and create empowering stories so we can empower generations to come,” he says. 

Point Foundation is the nation’s largest higher education scholarship-granting organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) students. Scholarships include both financial support, and mentorship and leadership development. Read more about the Point Foundation Scholarship and 2021 scholars on Advocate. 

A second chance.

That’s what Leroy Brown, a Black Studies major, found in one Community College of Philadelphia program as a young Black male.

Leroy is expected to complete his degree program in fall 2021 and largely credits this accomplishment to the Center for Male Engagement (CME), a program that he calls “a mecca for young Black men, navigating life and higher education.”

Leroy started at the College in fall 2019 as a transfer from a 4-year college. He was certain that attending a community college would be a walk in the park.

“I came in with an ‘I can do it myself’ mentality,” Leroy said as he talked about his choice to transfer. “But it hit me like a ton of bricks when I failed my first semester.”

Leroy completed his first semester with a 1.8 GPA, which landed him on academic probation. Feeling defeated and hopeless, support coach Patrick Robinson introduced Leroy to CME, which he decided to join that summer. As the new semester approached, and an entire summer of building relationships with staff had passed, Leroy realized the CME support coaches never gave up on him. They were consistent in connecting with him, encouraging and reinforcing that he could do better and making sure he wouldn’t quit. The constant support throughout the next semester helped Leroy finish with a 3.8 GPA.

“I love everything about this program; they have done so much for me,” Leroy said. “CME kept me on a narrow path to getting my associate degree. It was the discipline factor to block the distractions.”

The CME program, geared towards African-American males, helps students adapt to the college environment by providing support to help lessen the barriers to academic success. Support coaches work to enhance students’ skill sets and encourage them to take advantage of the College's many academic and social opportunities, cultivating a sense of belonging at the College and beyond.  

The program, brothers and “Boss Man,” as Leroy affectionately called his respective peers and Derrick Perkins, project director, represented role models that helped Leroy ground himself and gave him a space to be an authentic Black man in the pursuit of higher education. CME offered a nurturing environment created by men who mirrored and reflected those they served. They offered mental health stability for Leroy when he felt overwhelmed and the proper guidance to find a positive outlet. 

“CME grounded me and supported me. I was on a downward spiral and the brothers from CME helped me through so many tough times,” Leroy said. “Boss Man, Derrick, put me in so many positions to lead, speak to others…even putting me on the spot at times, so that I could better myself. I am forever grateful for him.”

Leroy serves as a CME peer support coach, providing other males in the program the same self-assuring supports, assistance and valuable resources and knowledge that were passed onto him.

“I understand the phrase, ‘Iron sharpens iron,’ because in order for me to be better I had to surround myself with better people,” Leroy said. “They’ve always held me accountable, but also taught me patience, love and how to grow through the process.”

Leroy is forever grateful for the relationships, lessons taught and experiences he’s encountered through CME, even noting his desire to one day re-create that nurturing environment for other young Black men like himself.

In order to better meet the needs of his growing family, Chris Robin sought an educational path that would enable him to change careers.

“It was a perfect storm of events that brought me to CCP,” he said.

The owner of his own yoga studio in Northern Liberties, Chris was seeking more financial security after the birth of his second son. The College’s Nursing program provided a quick entrance to an in-demand profession.

“In three years, I’ll have received an associate degree and be eligible to take my exam to become a licensed Registered Nurse. It set me up for a good position in life,” he said.

During his time in the program, the clinical rotation in community health left a lasting impression. He spent time helping individuals in Kensington who were suffering from addiction, and assisted in vaccinating residents against COVID-19.

“It was amazing—we were helping people survive. It was an eye-opening experience, and it was an incredible feeling. Through Philadelphia FIGHT, I was at a site that vaccinated 180 people in a few hours. Some of them were crying with joy,” said Chris.

He is applying to bachelor’s degree programs in nursing and plans to start his studies again in the fall. Ultimately, because of his experiences at the College, he sees himself pursuing a master’s degree in Public Health.

He praised the Nursing faculty for all of the help and support they give students in the program, including with job preparation, letters of recommendation and ongoing assistance.

“The faculty are fabulous. They really care,” said Chris.

Nursing faculty have made sure that students will still have their traditional Nursing Pinning ceremony, via an online gathering on May 6. Faculty and students will have the opportunity to interact with each other virtually, recite the professional nursing oath and celebrate their accomplishments. The next day, students will have a scheduled time to drive up to a designated area at Main Campus and receive their nursing pin from faculty, with safety protocols in place.

“After being in quarantine for the last year and a half, it feels like this ceremony is not only a celebration of my first accomplishment in the health care industry, but a celebration of what the health care industry has done for our world. We are all moving forward,” said Chris.

He also offers advice for anyone thinking of enrolling at the College.

“Do it. It was an awesome experience. The school did a great job moving us forward and getting us prepared when we started,” said Chris.

Jaron McNeil, ’21, says attending Community College of Philadelphia was one of the best decisions he’s made.

“CCP was not only affordable, but it gave me a great start,” Jaron says. “I’ve gained some amazing mentors who have provided a lot of support since I arrived at the College.”

He says that in addition to the support from his academic advisors, career counselors and professors, much of his success comes from his mentors at the College’s Center for Male Enagement (CME). Geared towards African-American males, CME provides its members with targeted academic and non-academic supports designed to enhance their skill sets, cultivate a sense of belonging and build resolve as they pursue a degree at the College and beyond. 

“CME has always been there any time I’ve needed help,” Jaron says. “From applying for financial aid to workshops on time management, CME has provided much needed support along the way. Derrick Perkins, Patrick Robinson and the rest of the team are practically family.”

Jaron will be graduating this year with an associate degree in business. While he has always known that he one day wants to be an entrepreneur and give back to his community, he could have never imagined that he would become an author at the age of 20.

Titled Alex the Persevering Outcast to Alpha Male, Jaron says his book details his journey from depression and suicidal thoughts to manifesting his own happiness in life.

“Writing my first book was definitely a labor of love,” Jaron says. “In the book, I open up about overcoming bullying, depression and negative self-talk. This was an opportunity for me to be a mentor to the youth just as I was mentored.”

Jaron says that while it was at times a tedious process, he gained a lot of discipline. He says he started off by jotting down his ideas. He eventually was able to turn his notes into a manuscript. From there he saved up money by working two jobs to get his book published on Google and, later, Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

After graduation, Jaron plans to attend Neumann University in the fall to obtain a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a minor in finance. One day, he wants to launch his own accounting firm and later create his own library and recreation center.

“My ultimate goal in life is to be able to keep on giving,” Jaron says. “I want to be able to donate to causes that I care about and to mentor high school and college students to follow their dreams and to never give up. I want to specifically mentor CCP students because it’s where I got started.”

While at Neumann University, Jaron plans to not only stay connected to the mentors and friends he’s gained while at the College, but build upon those relationships.

When asked what advice he would give to anyone who’s thinking about giving up, he says, “If you believe it, you can achieve it and if you keep going you can get it done.”

With some trepidation, Jameelah Hairston enrolled at the College in 2017, unsure she would be successful in higher education. This week, she will graduate with her Nursing degree from Community College of Philadelphia.

“I stopped and started at the College after high school. For the past 20 years, I’ve worked in health care. I’ve been a psychiatric technician, EMT and Certified Nurse Assistant,” Jameelah said.

Jameelah’s knowledge impressed the nurses and doctors she worked with, and they recognized her potential.

“I had learned more than I realized, and they told me I needed to go back to school,” said Jameelah.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, she briefly relocated to Maryland, where she was working two jobs at times. She began taking classes there, but still the uncertainly lingered.

“I wasn’t sure I was going to go follow through with it,” she said.

While still in Maryland, she transferred to the College and began taking online classes, returning to Philadelphia in 2017 to care for her ill mother. Knowing entry into the Nursing program was difficult, she applied anyway.

“I didn’t think I was going to get in,” she said.

As part of their training, Nursing students take their skills to the community under faculty supervision. Jameelah and her classmates have assisted with COVID-19 screening, testing and education with the Hub of Hope, Broad Street Ministry and Philadelphia FIGHT, helping homeless and other vulnerable populations in the city. Jameelah was also one of 12 Dr. Andrea Mengel interns, an initiative funded by the Independence Foundation, that provided funding for 12 past and present CCP Nursing students to serve on the frontlines of the pandemic.

“People were so grateful to be treated well and heard—I learned the importance of community nursing and outreach,” she said.

After taking her RN exam, Jameelah plans to seek a position in a fast-paced environment, such as the emergency room or intensive care unit. She may also pursue a bachelor’s in Nursing.

“It’s hard to go to school. It’s even harder to go back to school after 10 or 15 years. Nursing makes you connect with people. I have friends my daughter’s age. One of my best friends is from Russia—we wouldn’t have met another way. The diversity at CCP is amazing,” she said.

Jameelah was joined on this endeavor by her daughter, Sumiaya Adbur-Rasheed, who is graduating with a Theater degree. She took advantage of the College’s Dual Admissions partnership with Temple and will be pursuing her bachelor’s degree this fall.

“Participating in Dual Admissions made the whole process a lot easier, and I received a scholarship,” Sumiaya said.

Like her mother, Sumiaya was working toward a Nursing degree at another school, taking what she thought would be a more practical approach to career possibilities. After arriving at the College, she decided to pursue her lifelong interest.

“Theater has always been something I’ve been involved in. I love the faculty and the friends I’ve made in the Theater department,” she said.

She took multiple classes with Kirsten Quinn, an associate professor of English and a theater instructor. Students saw plays as part of their courses and had the opportunity to see Professor Quinn onstage.

“It was so inspiring to see an instructor perform. This isn’t just a dream. I can do this,” she said.

Sumiaya is now looking to branch out and work behind the camera.

“I’m starting my own production company, and I want to produce short films and plays. I’ve started writing, and I’m shifting my thinking to behind the scenes,” she said.

Through her coursework and as a member of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, she was also impacted by the diversity found at the College.

“There are individuals of diverse ages, sexualities and backgrounds. I made so many different types of connections. It opened my eyes to the world I live in,” she said.

Jameelah and Sumiaya even started their own podcast while at the College.

“My Inner MOMologue is a conversation between a daughter and her mother about culture, art, the state of the world, relationships and how their experiences connect to it all,” said Jameelah.

“Our relationship is growing. I’m learning about the mother/daughter relationship now that I’m an adult. The journey through CCP has helped with that,” said Sumiaya.

A day in the life of a CCP dual enrollment student

Daisy McDonagh is not your typical 18-year-old. This month, she will be graduating with a 4.0 GPA  at the College and a 4.4 GPA at MaST Community Charter School in Northeast Philadelphia with both her high school and associate degrees. Daisy is one of ten students graduating this May from MaST’s dual enrollment program in partnership with Community College of Philadelphia.

Daisy says she learned about the opportunity to graduate high school with an associate degree while in middle school from a MaST student enrolled in the dual enrollment program at the time. Once she entered the ninth grade, she took the placement exam and tested into the college-level English 101 and Math 161 classes. The rest is history.

“I’ve always searched for new ways to challenge myself academically and the dual enrollment program at CCP helped me do just that,” Daisy said. “Throughout the program, we take up to four college classes per semester in addition to our high school classes. While at times challenging, it’s very fulfilling and a great accomplishment.”

She says the key to her success is working collaboratively with her peers in the program to foster a strong support system. They often review assignments together and hold each other accountable to do the assigned readings for each class.

“Some of our professors don’t know that we are high school students and we like to keep it that way,” said Daisy. “We want to be treated equally and as adults so that our accomplishments matter.”

While she already committed to pursuing her associate of arts in Health Care Studies, it was not until she took a college-level anatomy and physiology class that she fell in love with the field. In 2020, Daisy was also one of eight students out of 35 applicants at the College selected to travel to Cambodia for the study abroad program -- that is, until the pandemic forced the program to a halt.

“As a Health Care Studies major, I’m not able to take as many history classes as I would like,” said Daisy. “I was very interested in expanding my knowledge of the Cambodian genocide as well as the impact it had on family strucutres. The prison camps and medical experiments not only split up families, but destroyed them. With nearly half of the population at the time being under 15, this left many Cambodian children orphaned.”

Daisy plans to expand her knowledge of issues at the intersection of health care and human rights while pursuing her bachelor’s degree. She has received a full scholarship to attend Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska in the fall, where she will major in International Rescue and Relief with an emphasis on Pre-Physician Assistant Studies.

The program at Union College is not only an accelerated physician assistant program, but also the only known college-level program of its kind in the United States. The degree combines rescue and survival skills, humanitarian relief, emergency medical care, public health, disaster management and multicultural service training.

“The International Rescue and Relief program at Union College is a perfect fit because it will allow me to get hands-on experience in the field in addition to what I’ll be learning in the classroom,” said Daisy. “By this time next year I’ll be an EMT and have received training on wilderness survival and disaster preparation. I’ll even be able to work with FEMA and do clinicals overseas in countries like Malawi, Africa.”

Daisy’s dream is to become a physician assistant with a focus on reproductive health. She ultimately wants to travel the world and help people by bringing a more holistic understanding and compassionate approach to reproductive health.

“I would love to start my career as a physician assistant in South Africa,” Daisy said. “South Africa has some of the highest rates of sexual assaults, STDs and fetal alcohol poisoning syndrome. I want to be able to learn as much as I can and help as many people as possible.”

When she isn’t acing her classes, Daisy finds time to participate in clubs at her school. She is the vice president of her school’s National Honor Society, the student representative for MaST’s Board of Trustees where she speaks on behalf of the student body, a Gold Award Girl Scout, a member of the politics club and the gay straight alliance, co-president of the MaST Asian American Student Team, and a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at the College.

When asked if she would recommend the dual enrollment program to her peers, she says absolutely.

“You have to learn how to properly manage your time and make the necessary sacrifices to make it through the program,” Daisy said. “But if you enjoy learning and like being independent, then the program is for you.”