inspire

Davon graduated from Montco’s Theatre Arts program and received a full scholarship to attend graduate school at Ohio University. He plans to start a production company to enable more films to be shot in Philadelphia. Davon credits Montco for where he is today.

Just because of how different the process is compared to other schools and the family element that Montco has that everyone really cares for each other - that really impacted me, and I think that’s a big part of who I am today and the artist I am today.

English Senior Lecturer Donald Yost, who has taught at Montco for 12 years, published a novel, “Henry: A Sequel to Stephen Crane’s ‘The Red Badge of Courage,’” which chronicles the life of the title character following the events of the 1894 classic war novel. Donald was compelled to draw upon his own experience as a soldier to answer many of the questions that remained at the end of Crane’s novel.

[The book’s] protagonist is approximately the same age as my students. I would certainly like my students to read the book, because I think it offers lessons for their generation.

When Chair of the MCCC Foundation Board Joseph Gallagher graduated from high school, he went to college but did not complete his degree. He then worked for his family’s business for 40 years, leading it for 30 of those years. Following his retirement, he decided to enroll at Montco and finally complete his associate’s degree.

It was a great feeling of accomplishment as I crossed that stage and got my degree.

Dr. Karen Stout, the current President and CEO of Achieving the Dream, Inc., and President Emerita of Montco was appointed by President Joseph R. Biden Jr. to serve on the National Council on the Humanities, the advisory board for the National Endowment for the Humanities. Her appointment was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in May 2022, and she was sworn in on June 15.

As a leader, I have always been a learner first. That orientation is anchored and fueled by my love of art, literature, culture — the humanities — which drive my curiosity. This curiosity has been important for supporting our colleges in asking the questions that help them strengthen their student success efforts and connect in deeper ways with their communities. I’m honored to serve on this commission.

Kendall Martin, Ph.D., Computer Science professor was awarded the 2022 Gladys and Raymond Pearlstine Award for Teaching Excellence. For over two decades, Kendall has helped students discover the full potential of technology that surrounds them and learn to use it ways they never dreamed possible, changing their lives forever.

A lot of our students come in under resourced in exposure to technology, in experience and confidence in mathematics, and so they shy away from Computer Science. So, I’ve really worked hard to try and draft people and get them into the pipeline. If they get a supported experience, a lot of them find it’s a great match for their interests.

Leo was senior class president of Phoenixville Area High School and had been taking courses at Montco in the dual enrollment program since the summer before his freshman year. When he walked across the stage at Commencement, Leo joined a select group of students who received an associate degree before finishing high school.

In community college, you’re seeing people who are not just 18-22 years old. There are veterans, moms, older people, younger people and that continued over my four years here. There were business owners looking for help with their work and immigrants. It’s a huge variety of people that you meet and learn from. I think it’s a huge asset.

Montco alumna Lynne LaBate wanted to change her career path, so she returned to Montco and enrolled in the Medical Billing Specialist Program. Four months later, she has a new credential and a new job.

I can’t say enough about the Medical Billing Specialist Program and how it helped me to switch my career path in a short amount of time. It is very affordable and going anywhere else would be much more expensive. I had my reservations at first about changing careers, but I’m so glad I did.

Montco graduate, Minsoo, is a sous chef at the fine dining restaurant, Jansen. He credits Montco, and particularly Chef Stephen Latona, Montco Culinary Arts Instructor, for giving him the tools to be successful and preparing him for the real-world experiences he would face.

For an overarching view on how to run a successful restaurant, I got that from Montco. A lot of the chefs and instructors bring in real examples.

Mustangs eSports student-athlete Paul Dovidio was crowned the 2021 Fall National Junior College Athletic Association esports “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate” champion. He is the first national champion in the program’s history. Currently undecided, he plans to major in Computer Science before transferring to a four-year institution.

Being a student-athlete is tough to begin with, and to play at that caliber by putting in extra work outside the classroom is really a testament to him. Balancing full-time classes, along with demands of being an athlete shows how much he put into and got out of the program.

-Kelly Dunbar, Director of Athletics and Campus Recreation

Montco graduate, Thair, is a producer at Sports Radio 94WIP, where he gets to talk Philly sports all day long. After touring the studio during a prospective student campus visit, he immediately knew Montco was the place for him and enrolled. He believes that the education and hands-on learning experiences he had at Montco set the foundation for him finding his voice and landing his dream job.

My first experience on a college campus was too overwhelming. I felt like a small fish in a big pond and didn’t have the support I needed to swim. So, I dropped out, and focused on helping run my family’s business. Yet, I knew I couldn’t stay there forever if I wanted to follow my dreams of working in sports radio. So, I transferred to Montco.

Dr. Timothy Brown, Montco’s Dean of Liberal Studies, rose as a struggling, first-generation college student to a tenured professor and eventually landed his position here at the College.

When I think about my journey, especially as a teacher, it’s not about where you start, it’s about where you want to finish. If people have opportunities and support, they can be successful.

Victoria always knew she wanted to be a chef, so she started taking culinary classes while still in high school. When it came time for college, she only applied to Montco, as it had everything she needed to build her future – the Culinary Arts Institute, a four-season athletics program, and the pathway to gain an associate degree in business, so she could eventually open her own food truck.

As a culinary student and four-season athlete, I understand the importance of looking good, feeling good and giving your body the fuel it needs to perform. As a Montco alum, I feel totally ready for whatever comes next. For me, Montco wasn’t just a pass through. It was the real deal.