Colonial Quarterly - Spring 2017

Alumni Spotlight

By Alumna Aminata Sy

AndrewKrantz

Andrew Krantz

A West Philadelphia native, Andrew Krantz graduated from Community College of Philadelphia in 1975. Today, among other things, he is the owner and operator of the Krantz Chiropractic Clinic in Georgia.

As a young volunteer paramedic, Krantz got into a serious accident that ruptured a disc in his back and neck that required 13 hospitalizations. Finally, when his mother took him to a chiropractor, he received treatment that helped him almost fully recover. This experience sparked his desire to become a chiropractor, which led him to study at Community College of Philadelphia.

He credits the College for providing him with the necessary entrance requirements that allowed him to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in the State University of New York system and later a master’s degree in Sports Health Science at Life University in Georgia, the largest chiropractic school in the world.

Krantz believes that the College meets the needs of so many students who lack a path to four-year institutions. Years on, he still remembers his former physics professor at the College, Mr. Goldman, as a “wonderful and motivating professor.” He also recalls his English instructor, Don Angel, for his rigorous writing assignments. “All the math courses, science courses, English courses I had at Community College of Philadelphia prepared me to the highest degree,” Krantz said. While pursuing his bachelor’s degree, he taught emergency procedures, which paid for his tuition. Krantz made sure to follow the teaching style of one of his favorite instructors, Mr. Goldman.

Since 1978, Krantz has been an instructor at Life University, where he also completed his doctor of Chiropractic degree. He is currently a senior professor at the university and chairs its admission committee. Georgia’s governor, Nathan Deal, placed Krantz on the chiropractic board of examiners, charging them with protecting the health, wellness and safety of the public.

For 38 years, he has owned the Krantz Chiropractic Clinic, and in 2015, he opened a health and wellness spa. Without his associate’s degree at the College, Krantz believes he may not have become a chiropractor. “If it wasn’t for Community College of Philadelphia, I think my life would have been quite different,” Krantz said.

Krantz is proud of the fact that he has continued to teach and share all of his experiences with students. “My highest achievement is that I learned to serve and love,” he said. Over the years, Krantz has not missed an opportunity to mention his time at the College to his students. “My hallmark is my experience at Community College of Philadelphia. I am so appreciative.”

Krantz wants current students at the College to know that his high school counselor told his parents that he should learn to be a plumber or electrician because he wouldn’t succeed in college. “Community College of Philadelphia gave me that start and encouraged me to move on,” he said. “You have to learn your passion. Follow your passion, and you will have success.”

Isheen-Lites

Isheen Lites always wanted to impact the world through his art and he just took a big step to doing just that.

Lites was recently honored by being selected by Senator Bernie Sanders to work with the 2016 Democratic National Convention (DNC) as the Philadelphia DNC Campaign Artist. With Senator Sanders' approval, Lites designed several campaign posters which were sold at the convention. While the DNC convened in Philadelphia, Lites enjoyed the perks of the position with limousine service to campaign activities throughout the city and was given preferential seating with invited guests, delegates and campaign workers at the Convention Center. He enjoyed his high-profile experience and hopes that some of the connections he made will help him achieve his goal.

Lites graduated from Community College of Philadelphia in May 2016 earning an associate’s degree in Arts with honors. He has since transferred to Temple University to further his studies and anticipates earning a B.A. in Fine Arts.


Class Notes

Class Notes

Carlos Ignacio Rivera, ’13. graduated from Community College of Philadelphia with a degree in Computer Information Systems (CIS). Rivera credits the College with helping him find his path, both socially and professionally. While at the College, Rivera found a community among the Latin American Student Organization, which he eventually presided over. Rivera used the computer skills he developed at the College working in the computer labs and taking numerous CIS courses to obtain a job as an account administrator with Aramark. Rivera’s goal is to open a community computer lab in his neighborhood to combat homelessness through technological literacy

Class Notes

Thomas Duliban, ’16. Duliban’s experience as a Liberal Arts – Honors Option major at the College culminated in delivering the student address at the 2016 Commencement ceremony. While at the College, Duliban received the Charitas Foundation Scholarship and was a semifinalist for the Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. Duliban’s future plans include finishing his degree in Engineering Technology at Temple University and becoming a technology spokesperson, which would enable him to blend his vocal talents with his professional aspirations. Duliban also desires to be an advocate for mental illness, particularly bipolar disorder, an issue that is near to him.

Class Notes

Kevin Miguel Kelley, ’13, has leveraged his experience at Community College of Philadelphia in the interest of pursuing his creative passions and helping others. Kelley has recently returned to the College to enroll in the Creative Writing certificate program. He is also a program assistant with the College’s Center for Male Engagement and a special events coordinator with the Student Programming Board. Before returning to the College, Kelley graduated from Kutztown University, where he had the opportunity to study abroad in Valladolid, Spain for six weeks. This valuable experience has helped him in his role as group facilitator with Congreso de Latinos Unidos, where he works in the Éxito After School Program, assisting students by tutoring, mentoring and facilitating Escalera, the program’s College Readiness initiative. In the immediate future, Kelley plans to pursue a master’s degree in Creative Writing while continuing to figure out ways to give back to the institution that has given him so much.

Class Notes

Early Weeks, ’14, was a fixture of the College’s community. Holding positions in numerous student organizations—president of the Student Government Association and president of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), Rho Upsilon chapter for three years—Weeks was able to hone the leadership skills that he would exhibit in his endeavors after graduating. Currently, Weeks travels up and down the east coast as a Civil and Revolutionary War re-enactor, teaching people the important role African-Americans played in both wars. This activity developed from Weeks’ foray into various subjects such as history, film, anthropology and photography while at the College.

In the near future, Weeks hopes to return to the place that he made a home by becoming a member of the College’s Alumni Association and working with the Middle States Region PTK Alumni Association.


Faculty Spotlight

Victoria “Vicky” Schwartz has been working as an English tutor at Community College of Philadelphia for more than 15 years. She first started tutoring at the Main Campus and eventually transferred to the College’s West Regional Center, where she currently tutors for all English courses with reading and writing dimensions. Schwartz earned both her Ph.D. in English and M.A. in Religious Studies from Temple University. After completing her academic journey, Schwartz worked as an adjunct for La Salle University, Temple University and Rowan University, in addition to copyediting. Though having taught English courses, she found one-on-one tutoring more rewarding. A friend who worked at Community College of Philadelphia for 30 years suggested Schwartz try to find a position at the College. “When I first started working here, I knew I was walking into a wonderful place,” Schwartz said. “The College has a lot of diverse people and a warm atmosphere.”

Faculty Spotlight

Student Ernestina Owusu-Mensah and Dr. Victoria Schwartz at the West Regional Center


College News

College Kicks Smoking on Campus to the Curb

The College went smoke-free on Jan. 1. “Previously you had to move 25 feet away from any entrance, exit or ramp. But now we decided to make the whole campus smoke-free." Dr. Kristy Shuda McGuire, associate professor of Biology, says not only will this move help improve the health of smokers and nonsmokers, but it may help some of the students kick the habit as they enter the working world. Read more.

Black History Month Celebration at Community College of Philadelphia

Community College of Philadelphia kicked off its African-American History Month celebration on Wednesday, Feb. 1, with a breakfast at the Great Hall. President Donald Guy Generals and Sulaiman Rahman, founder and CEO of Urban Philly Professional Network and Community College of Philadelphia Foundation board member, related storied achievements of the past to emerging issues of today, like immigration. Read more.

Law and Society Week: “We’re the Same, We Just Live Different Experiences”

On the first full day of Law and Society Week on Feb. 27, students, faculty and staff gathered for a session called “Savage Inequities: A Tale of Two Schools.” The panel explored how school inequity impacts youth, and their education in rich and poor communities alike. The discussion centered around bus trips that students from Philadelphia’s Kensington Health Science High School and Montgomery County’s Methacton High School, took to explore each other’s schools. Read more.

City Partners with the College to Provide Small Business Training

Community College of Philadelphia will offer free workshops to small local businesses next year in the hope of strengthening the city's commercial corridors. The city is providing $800,000 for a year's worth of Power Up Your Business workshops and classes, with a three-year renewal option. "One of our major goals is to ensure that our city is a growing business center, and that is dependent on the success of businesses of all sizes in all neighborhoods," Mayor Kenney said. "We have seen great growth in Center City and the surrounding areas, and we want all of our neighborhoods to experience that opportunity." Read more.


Upcoming Event

2017 Black and Gold Awards
Wednesday, June 7, 2017
6 – 8:30 p.m.


Community College of Philadelphia
Pavilion Building
17th and Spring Garden streets
Philadelphia, PA 19130

Purchase Tickets Online

For more information, please visit the Black and Gold Awards section on our website at www.ccp.edu/alumni or contact our alumni office at 215-751-8015.

Update

Annual Giving Has Surpassed the $100,000 Goal

The College’s Annual Giving campaign has surpassed the $100,000 mark by raising $121,000 for scholarships and other College needs throughout the year, including tuition assistance and the 50th Anniversary Scholars Program. This special campaign allows the College staff, faculty, employees and alumni the opportunity to give back financially to the College. Learn more about the Annual Giving initiative and scholarships like the 50th Anniversary Scholars program.

Update Your Information

Did you move? Are you married or recently engaged? Have you changed jobs? Update your information now so we can continue to stay connected with you and keep you informed about all of the exciting things happening at Community College of Philadelphia. Visit www.ccp.edu/alumni or email alumni@ccp.edu.

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