Forty-two students from Montgomery County Community College Outreach and Assistance Programs were honored with a special ceremony on May 14 at the William Penn Inn in Gywnedd. The College celebrated the achievements of the students in ACT 101, the Keystone Education Yields Success (KEYS) program and the Minority Student Mentoring Initiative.

Montco’s Outreach & Assistance Programs offer help to students facing difficult or special circumstances that would otherwise interfere with their education. KEYS, MSMI and ACT 101 are just some of the programs offered through the Student Success Center.

Dr. Craig Smith, Director of Student Support Programs, opened the ceremony with a reading of the poem “The Test of Man,” a traditional poem of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity that talks about the importance of grit and perseverance to overcome challenges. The ceremony also featured motivational performances including Israel Harding singing Faith, a traditional hymn about perseverance and Tommie Suggs read the poem “The Lion Tamer,” which encourages overcoming fear and being ambitious.

Before the students were recognized, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs Samuel Coleman offered continued support to the graduates as they pursue new opportunities beyond Montco’s campus.

“You may enter the workforce, transfer to a new school or join the military, but Montco will always be here to nurture and support you,” he said.

The graduating students from the KEYS program include Manal Abuali, Christina Boone, Erica Bush, Tiarah Cox-Fluellen, Maha Farag, Patricia Gee, Lisa Hamersky, Nadia Shaikh, Amber Carr and Ada M. Kaufman.

KEYS is designed to support students who receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits by removing potential roadblocks to their education, such as providing assistance with child care, transportation, peer support and more. KEYS is a collaborative program between the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges.

The graduating students from ACT 101 include Jocelyn Belisle, Angelique Carrion, Francine Collier, Terrae Fortune, Tianna Lawrence, Emily Mann, Denise Manswell, Maya Mays, Tinesha Moore, Loymi Peralta, Monique Sapp, Keevon Thomas, Batsyann Thornton, Theresa Ubong, Wuaner Ventura, Marina Wassef and Sharon Wilson

ACT 101 Scholars Program gives free, intensive case management, advising and outreach to students facing education, personal and financial challenges.

The graduating students from the Minority Student Mentoring Initiative include Darral I. Addison Jr., Adejoke O. Agboola, Mike K. Antoine, Luz A. Anzures, Felisha Ballard, Zoey N. Bethel, Ashley G. Boyd, Kayla Brown, C’enna Crosby, Noxolo Heleni, Mark Hudson, Madelin Lopez, Charlotte Madison, Quincey Simmons and Caitlin M. Wallace

The Minority Student Mentoring Initiative (MSMI) provides a sense of community among minority students at Montco by offering mentoring services from Montco faculty, staff and other students.

After the students of each program were acknowledged, Ingrid Fisher, KEYS Program Director, introduced the student speaker Ada M. Kaufman. Kaufman, a Medical Office Assisting major, shared her story with the group: Thirteen years after dropping out of high school, Kaufman decided to obtain her GED in 2017. She continued her education at Montco, while also caring for her three children as a single mother. After graduating with the class of 2019, Kaufman plans to work in Medical Office Assisting while pursuing further education in Nursing.

Kaufman was proud of the work that she had done, but also made a point to thank the staff in the Student Success Center that helped her through her studies.

“This staff helped shape and guide me through many hardships and breakdowns,” she said. “It is thanks to their support and love that I now have endless opportunities.”

Montco’s Outreach & Assistance Programs are offered through the Student Success Center. The center works to provide resources and programs to help students achieve their academic and career dreams at Central Campus in Blue Bell and West Campus in Pottstown.