“Nothing is more important than empathy for another human being’s suffering. Nothing—not career, not wealth, not intelligence, certainly not status. We have to feel for one another if we’re going to survive with dignity” - Audrey Hepburn
 
I have long believed in the power of empathy and the need for more of it in our classrooms and our boardrooms. 

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: 

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. 

Elena Dupaly is working on her Associate Degree in Business at the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC), Boyce Campus. Currently, she is working on getting her online business, Mad About Jewelry, off the ground. 

Ashika Henry Richardson earned an Associate degree in Social Work Foundation from the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) in 2022. She is currently working as a Nursing Assistant and Leadership Assistant work study for the honors program. She’s expecting to do an internship this summer to complete her degree at CCAC. While she’s been accepted at multiple Universities in Pennsylvania, she chose California University because she felt it was a better fit for her.