DCCC Student Success Stories
Joshua Contrucci '23
“My goal is to obtain a bachelor’s degree in Meteorology and/or Atmospheric Sciences,” says Joshua Contrucci '23. “I’d like to work for the National Weather Service or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association.” He is off to a great start. He earned an associate degree in Science, Mathematics/Natural Sciences and this past spring presented research at an academic conference, the 2023 Geological Society of America Section Meeting in Reston, Va. He shared research conducted under the guidance of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics professors Daniel Childers, Ph.D. and Christopher Etherington, Ed.D. “Dr. Childers was a great mentor! I learned about the research process and about what the soil and terrain on campus—specifically in and around the creek next to the STEM Center—is like. I really enjoyed the smaller class sizes in the Sciences. It made it easy to form relationships with my professors and get one-on-one assistance.”
Alana Robinson '23
“I'm proud to say the College has shaped who I am as a student,” says Alana Robinson ’23. A passionate believer in the power of community colleges, she assisted the College president in advocating for the Commonwealth’s 15 community colleges at the State Capitol in Harrisburg, Pa. and she delivered remarks at the May 6 Groundbreaking Ceremony for the College’s new Southeast Campus in Drexel Hill. “This new full-service campus will continue the legacy of serving students in the heart of Delaware County as well as bring new students to the table by providing access to those who need it.” Robinson will attend Drexel University this fall as a recipient of The Drexel Promise scholarship for community college students. Her goal is to become a lawyer and to advocate for criminal justice reform.
Tadiwanashe Tuwacha '23
“Being part of the College community broadened my intellectual capacity through its immense availability of growth opportunities,” says Tadiwanashe “Antony” Tuwacha ‘23. As a student ambassador and student mentor, “I had the chance to explore and share information about the many resources the College offers its students. I was selected along with one of my mentees to represent the College at the 2022 Presidents’ Round Table Men of Color Student Leadership Institute held in Pittsburgh. I also served as president of the Business Society—one of my best College experiences, as I was able to implement what I had learned in class by brainstorming and executing fundraising ideas for the club.”
He earned an associate degree in Business Administration and was awarded a Neumann University Full-Tuition Partnership Scholarship, available to community college students. “I am excited to begin my studies in Computer Information Systems at Neumann this coming fall. I will also be minoring in accounting and aspire to be a Certified Public Accountant.”
L. Patrick Weishew '23
“What I enjoyed the most about majoring in History at DCCC were the teachers,” says L. Patrick Weishew, who majored in History. “All of my professors were very well versed in their knowledge of their areas of specialty, and it made the classes very enjoyable. Most of my history classes had lively class discussions, an upbeat environment, and great narration from the teachers.” While at the College he was a member of the College’s Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Alpha Tau Epsilon Chapter. He graduated in May 2023 with an associate degree in History and was recognized with the Langford A. Wilson History Award for academic excellence. He was awarded the TAAC Hailey King Memorial Scholarship, a merit-based transfer scholarship, and is now attending West Chester University, where he plans to major in History with Social Studies Teacher Certification.
Ariel Whaley '23
“I would like to be able to connect communities with the land they live on to ensure its conservation for future generations,” says Ariel Whaley ’23. After earning an associate degree in Science for Health Professions, she is headed to West Chester University to enroll in its Biology with concentration in Ecology and Wildlife Conservation Program. She plans to pursue a career in environmental education and to help guarantee it will someday be a requirement in public school curriculums. She enjoys tutoring children for a nonprofit organization called Mighty Writers, a bilingual program specifically tailored for Spanish-speaking students. She was a member of the College’s Phi Theta Kappa honor society and was named to the 2022-2023 All-Pennsylvania (All-PA) Academic Team, which Phi Theta Kappa and the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges sponsor, earning two years of free tuition to West Chester.