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(Delaware and Chester Counties, PA)—Christa Heyward, Ph.D., a student at Delaware County Community College, has been selected to be one of just two college student representatives to serve on the Pennsylvania State Board of Higher Education (SBHE). Currently completing a Certificate in Residential Carpentry at DCCC, Dr. Heyward will represent publicly funded colleges and universities in the state.
After a successful career in the field of biomedical research—in which she applied her expertise in immunology and cell and molecular biology to investigating the role of the immune system in disease pathology—she felt a desire to pursue a personal interest in carpentry and home renovation and decided to take advantage of DCCC as a resource for training and mid-career transition.
“My experience at DCCC has been tremendous,” said Dr. Heyward, who holds a B.S. in Biology from Villanova University, an M.S. in Biology from Duquesne University and a Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of Pennsylvania. “It has led to new and interesting opportunities.”
Dr. Heyward is currently using the experience she has gained in DCCC’s Residential Carpentry program to complete a two-year fellowship in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Building Technologies Office. After spending years mentoring and guiding students in STEM and higher education career paths, she feels a natural affinity for her role on SBHE.
Created last year under Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, the SBHE has been tasked with shaping a higher education system that fully meets the state’s workforce and economic needs while offering greater access to affordable, world-class post-secondary education for all citizens of the Commonwealth.
“This is an outstanding opportunity for our student, Dr. Christa Heyward, to represent community college students statewide and to help influence policy about higher education in the state,” said DCCC President Dr. Marta Yera Cronin. “We know she will make significant and meaningful contributions to the Board.”
Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges President Dr. Tuesday Stanley said, “Having a Delaware County Community College student on the SBHE is not only a great opportunity for the student to learn about Pennsylvania and higher education but also provides another voice to speak about community colleges from someone who experiences it every day. This unique perspective allows the work of the SBHE to benefit students even more.”