#CommunityCollegeBecause

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Alexandria Kovack: #CommunityCollegeBecause ... it might just be the choice that changes your life

Alexandria Kovack is currently working on her Business Management degree from the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC), and has a goal to open a nonprofit organization that helps to rehabilitate Veterans in the future. 

Alexandria Kovack: #CommunityCollegeBecause ... it might just be the choice that changes your life

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Chantelle Bellavance: #CommunityCollegeBecause ... it’s inclusivity, education, and affordability

Chantelle Bellavance is an alumnus and 2017 graduate of the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) - South Campus. She studied Computer-Aided Drafting and Design, Engineering Science, and Math and Sciences. Chantelle is a children’s book author, project manager, engineer, philanthropist, mentor, speaker, and telecommunications professional. She is the founder of the Bellavance STEM Scholarship that provides non-healthcare STEM scholarships to CCAC students.

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Haley Vetere: #CommunityCollegeBecause ... you meet some of the best people that you will have for the rest of your life

Haley Vetere earned an Associate of Science Degree in Tourism Management (2021) from the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC). She is continuing her education at the University of South Carolina Beaufort. Haley’s outgoing personality, combined with her absolute love for travel, is the foundation on which she based her decision to pursue a career in the travel industry. She discovered an interest in event planning while serving an internship at Hotel Indigo (South Side).

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Lindsay Eisaman: #CommunityCollegeBecause ... being in a small sized classroom with professors makes a world of difference

Lindsay Eisaman is a December 2019 Nursing Program graduate from the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) Boyce Campus. She has landed her dream job as an Obstetric Nurse at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Magee-Womens Hospital on the High Risk Antepartum Unit, and is pursuing a BSN at Aspen University. Lindsay loves helping people and is following the example of her grandmother Estellebelle Eisaman, who was a NICU nurse. 

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Chantel Young: #CommunityCollegeBecause … it is a financially savvy investment for your future

Chantel Young earned an Associate’s Degree in Business Management (2020) from the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP). She was a member of the first cohort of students to serve an internship at Rivers Casino (2016). Chantel quickly emerged from Marketing Intern to Players Club Representative, Marketing Representative, and Guest Services Specialist.

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Theresa Jones: #CommunityCollegeBecause ... it cultivates confidence, growth, and success!

Theresa Jones graduated in 2011 from the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC)-Boyce Campus with an Associates Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences, and continued her education by earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Services from Geneva College and a Master of Arts Degree in Criminology from Indiana University of PA. Theresa began her career at CCAC in 2009 as a work-study in the Career Services Department.

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Mike Dudjak: #CommunityCollegeBecause ... it is a great, affordable way to continue your education

Mike Dudjak was a CCAC student from 1997-1999 (attended CCAC-Allegheny & CCAC-South) then transferred to West Liberty University and graduated with a Bachelor's of Science Degree. Currently he’s a Paraprofessional at Springdale Jr/Sr High School and Head Women's Basketball Coach at CCAC.

Mike Dudjak: #CommunityCollegeBecause ... it is a great, affordable way to continue your education

Justin Starr: #CommunityCollegeBecause ... it's the Smart Choice!

by Stasia Lopez /
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Oct 08, 2020 / 0 comments

Justin Starr started at the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) in 2002 as a high school dual enrollment student. He took the bus from his home in Sewickley to Allegheny Campus, and earned his Associate of Science in General Studies. Later, Justin went on to get his Bachelor of Science in Engineering Science from the University of Virginia, and his Master of Science and Ph.D. in Materials Science & Engineering from the University of Florida.

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Tartela Tabassum: #CommunityCollegeBecause ... I am a fearless learner

My name is Tartela Tabassum and I am an international student from Bangladesh. After high school, I had to sacrifice my education and get married so that I could remove some financial burden from my family. After marriage, I moved to the USA and started over. After a year, I was able to begin my college education, but I had to battle stereotypes, for many people thought that a community college is not a good school to get into and it is not possible to be a success by going to the community college.

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Sara Hnatiw: #CommunityCollegeBecause ... You get to discover who you are and find your passions

Sara Hnatiw majored in both Early Education Child Development and Children with Special Needs. She graduated from the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC)—South Campus with her Children with Special Needs certificate in Spring 2018 and Early Education Child Development Associate’s Degree in Spring 2020. She has intentions to transfer to Carlow University or LaRoche College in Fall 2021 to begin her Bachelor’s Degree. Once she earns her Bachelor’s Degree, she would like to become a disability services director or a student success coach.

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