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.

Ellie Calvert is working towards her Associate of Science at the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) in the hopes to become a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA). She notes, “I have been doing ballet my whole life, and I am a retired professional ballet dancer! I am currently a Pilates and Ballet Instructor at various ballet schools around the city.” 

The following is an excerpt from 10 Steps to Develop Great Learners by Professor John Hattie and Educator Kyle Hattie.

Many people didn't need work-from-home advice during the pandemic since they've already been doing it way before the start of the global health crisis. While stay at home directives consumed much of 2020 and beyond, the exponential rise of digital nomads, embracing the ethos that location is everything, continued its surge. In the US alone, there was a 112% increase in the number of digital nomads, which include online educators, from 2019 to 2021. Of course, these workers may not always be in the US; such is the prerogative of the digital nomad.

Katharine Ross is working towards her Associate degree in Business and plans to transfer to a four-year university to complete her Bachelor's degree. Katharine is currently working for her parents’ candy company. She is also participating in NASA's Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS). Katharine is the first CCAC student to be a part of this NASA program—and it has been one of the most rewarding things she’s ever done.

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.