(Delaware and Chester Counties, PA)—When Skyler Bailey moved from Florida to Delaware County, Pennsylvania three years ago, the single mother of four boys ended up living right across the street from the place that would change her life.

Skyler had a birds-eye view of the transformation of the former Archbishop Prendergast High School in Drexel Hill into Delaware County Community College’s new Southeast Center. As she watched the construction progress, she was excited for what was coming. At first, she didn’t think it would be possible to go back to school, but after speaking with a faculty member, she felt supported and more confident in her abilities. Once she stepped into the new culinary spaces, she says, “It was like being on one of those shows, like MasterChef.”

Today Skyler is balancing parenting and working as a behavioral health therapist with classes in the Culinary Arts. She is pursuing a long-held dream of attending culinary school—her signature dish is gluten-free sweet potato pie—and eventually opening a gluten-free bakery. She attends classes in the Southeast Center’s Center for Culinary Arts and Hospitality Studies, which boasts state-of-the-art teaching kitchens and a theater-style demonstration classroom.

“It’s great working at the different food stations and using the restaurant kitchen,” she says. “I’m learning so much from Chef Fike and Chef Vincent, who are amazing and supportive, and I love the professional cooking tools—especially the chef’s kit that I received when I enrolled.”

All Culinary Arts students at the Southeast Center are given a name embroidered uniform and a comprehensive kit with a full set of chef’s knives, whisks, spatulas and other must-have tools—thanks to a gift from Visit Delco, the official tourism promotion agency for Delaware County.

Gifts like Visit Delco’s are important parts of the new DCCC Tools for Tomorrow, a campaign focused on outfitting DCCC’s Southeast Center for the future workforce by securing philanthropic support for training, equipment and technology, and investing in educational spaces. It is part of DCCC’s mission to prepare students for family-sustaining careers and ensure a robust pipeline of well-qualified workers for the region’s growing industries. Partnering with donors, foundations and businesses, the DCCC Educational Foundation creates a lasting impact, and ensures more students have access, opportunities and resources to thrive.

“DCCC has excellent labs and treatment spaces that replicate the equipment, supplies and technology that new nursing graduates will encounter in the hospital,” said Jennifer W., a DCCC supporter. “The graduates will enter the workforce well-prepared and self-confident. I enjoyed a long and rewarding career in hospital nursing and in hospice care. Now retired, I want to help students who feel called to a career in nursing or other health services.”

Mia Moss, another Culinary Arts student, decided to pursue her passion for the field after transferring to DCCC from a four-year university. “My life plan was, I’ll be a pharmacist, get really rich, and then start my dream of cooking and owning a [business].” Instead, she decided to forego an expensive education and kickstart cooking earlier. “The facilities are cool,” she says. “I love the industrial-grade equipment like the Cryovac machine for preserving food.” As a student worker, she also enjoys managing the program’s hydroponic plants, which provide fresh greens and herbs for the culinary classes.

“The spaces are a gamechanger for the College and our program,” says Sherri W., a 2026 Culinary Arts and Hospitality Studies graduate. “I was so excited to be able to cook, learn and train in brand new kitchens while finishing my associate degree.” 

DCCC’s Southeast Center expands DCCC’s programs that align with regional workforce needs in culinary arts and hospitality, healthcare, biotechnology, early childhood education and skilled trades. When the Center was being planned, the College was determined that its students there would have access to top-of-the-line facilities and tools.

Many Southeast Center students are first-generation college students or working adults also balancing family responsibilities. Access to modern equipment and well-designed labs help them complete credentials faster and with confidence in their trained professions.

Skilled trades are being offered at the Southeast Center at The Kelleher Annex for Workforce Development, which features specialized workforce training labs.

Russell McLarnonis a graduate of DCCC’s HVAC program. He credits DCCC and the coursework helped him build his foundation and discipline after four or five previous attempts at starting different careers, including a brief stint in construction plumbing. He says, “[DCCC has] shaped and changed the future of my life.”

As a DCCC student during a difficult period in his life, where he was also struggling financially, he took advantage of support services such the College’s laptop lending program and assistance with SEPTA passes. At graduation, he received a free pair of work boots and a full set of tools from the College’s Kelleher Connect Career Opportunity Fund. It’s an initiative designed to eliminate the initial out-of-pocket costs of starting a career. “It’s amazing—it’s not like you graduate from DCCC and you’re on your own. They literally give you the tools to succeed,” he says.

For more on Tools for Tomorrow and how individuals and organizations can partner with DCCC to equip tomorrow’s workforce, visit dccc.edu/campaign, email advance@dccc.edu or call 610-359-5131.

Photo caption: DCCC Culinary Arts student Mia Moss.