Christine O’Donnell recently obtained her Associate Degree in General Studies at the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC). She will graduate in August with her Associates in Accounting. Christine plans on transferring to a four-year university to obtain her Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. She got accepted to Penn State University and she’s waiting to hear back from the University of Pittsburgh. Christine currently works full time and she’s married with four children, eight years old and younger. 

Mike Kistler is working on an Associate’s Degree in Business Management at the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC), and is also currently a 10th Grade High School student at Pittsburgh Central Catholic. Mike volunteers with his Church, and with the local food bank during the past year. Read more about his experience below! 

Tiffany Schmitt earned a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from a different university in 2016, and decided to come back to school after a long hiatus. Up until just last year, she’s been farm-hopping across northern California and southern Oregon. Although she went to school for psychology, she found it difficult to break into the field at her degree level, and ultimately decided to do something totally different and adventurous!

Debra Overcashier is seeking a degree in Psychology from the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC). She also earned an Accounting degree back in 1994, worked in banking for over 26 years, and retired from PNC. At CCAC, she is a member and Vice President of Psi Beta Honor Society and a member of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK). She’s also the Judge of Elections for her local voting poll. Debra has been married to her husband for 16 years. Read more about her spotlight below: 

Celestial Bodies is one of the most important literary works you’ll ever read and the must-read book of the year. It is gorgeous, nuanced, and full of healing. 

It’s a story of courage, chosen family, and how love—in all aspects—can help us heal and grow. It is a testament to the humanity in our lives, the joys of love, friendship, and laughter, as well as the challenges of trauma and life-changing events. 

Leavy writes light in every corner.

If you've never learned how interesting Iowa is, now's your chance! We're so happy to share a new book by author Sara Broers, entitled 100 Things To Do In Iowa Before You Die. This fascinating book is chock full of cool things about a state you might not know much about (raises hand!). Once you dig in, you'll be amazed at how MUCH there is to do, explore, and see in this cool midwest state. 

Kaila Tench is a May 2022 graduate of the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) where she earned a degree in the Dietetic Technician program and also received her Certified Dietary Manager Certificate in December 2021. She is currently employed at Allegheny General Hospital. Kaila completed her first internship at Magee Women's Hospital during the Summer semester of 2021, and recently completed her last internship at the Jewish Community Squirrel Hill Food Pantry. 

One of the best things about reading memoir is the opportunity to discover and learn from life stories. How would we act in a similar situation? What can we take away when learning from these lives? 

Such is the case with an extraordinary new memoir by author Jill Kandel (whom our wandering educators will remember from our interview with her about her book So Many Africas: Six Years in a Zambian Village).