Community College of Philadelphia

Community College of Philadelphia (CCP) stands as a beacon of opportunity, dedicated to fulfilling its motto: "The Path to Possibilities." Founded in 1965, this public community college was established with a crucial mission: to provide vital access to higher education for African American and low-income residents across Philadelphia. It remains a cornerstone of the city's educational landscape, fostering growth and success for nearly 14,000 students.

The college's history is marked by rapid expansion and a commitment to its community. Under the visionary leadership of its first president, Dr. Allen T. Bonnell, enrollment skyrocketed from an initial 1,200 students in 1965 to an impressive 6,200 by 1969. CCP initially offered practical, in-demand courses across human services, business administration, health occupations, and paraprofessional engineering, preparing students both for direct entry into the workforce and for seamless transfers to four-year institutions.

The evolution of CCP's physical campus mirrors its academic growth. After starting classes in a former department store, the college strategically acquired the historic Third Philadelphia Mint building in 1971. This landmark became the centerpiece of the permanent $70 million Main Campus, constructed throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s. The consolidation of its scattered sites into this vibrant, central campus in 1983 solidified CCP's presence and its dedication to providing a state-of-the-art learning environment for its diverse student body, led today by President Dr. Alycia A. Marshall, Ph.D.