The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI) is pleased to name the third annual class of WPSI Scholars. These ten Skills Initiative alumni will each receive financial assistance to help with continuing their professional education. Through generous funding from the Chappell- Culpeper Foundation, Scholars each receive a $2,000 scholarship toward tuition to cover degree, certification, or credentialing programs.
Our nationally-recognized program provides best-in-class workforce development programs for Philadelphia’s residents to connect with the area’s top employers. Recent employer partners have included Iovance Biotherapeutics, Philly Shipyard, Inc., the University of Pennsylvania, and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Since July 1st of 2022, 96% of Skills Initiative graduates have been successfully connected to employment at an average starting wage of $19.80.
“When participants join our programs, we are not only thinking about how we can serve them now, but also how we can continue to serve them as they grow both personally and professionally,” says Skills Initiative Director of Programs Romaine Thrower, Ed.D. “It is exciting to watch our participants pursue new opportunities and we want them to know that we will continue to support them along the way.” Since the inception of the scholarship, $64,000 has been awarded to a total of 40 alumni.
The Chappell-Culpeper Foundation has been instrumental to the continued growth of the Skills Initiative’s alumni support programming. In 2022, they awarded $100,000 per year for two years. “Chappell-Culpeper Family Foundation is thrilled to support the upskilling and continuing education of talented Philadelphians through the WPSI Scholars program. Congratulations to all the graduates!” says Rebecca Tone, Managing Director, Chappell Culpeper Family Foundation.
Below, meet the 2023 WPSI Scholars. Our thanks to the Chappell-Culpeper Foundation for supporting this endeavor, and we wish the recipients the best of luck as they continue their educations
The WPSI alumni selected as WPSI Scholars include:
Kishon Chambers
University of Pennsylvania
Masters of Public Health
Shaneen Cheatham
Health & Technology Training Institute
Licensed Practical Nurse
Ciera Gordon
Pennsylvania Institute of Technology
Physical Therapy Assistant
Shannon McKinney
Lasalle University
Nursing
Akhirah Miller
Temple University
Accounting
Jasmine Ruffin
Community College of Philadelphia
Health Care Studies
Felicia Tucker
Community College of Philadelphia
Health Care Studies
Shakeith Washington-Carr
Strayer University
Masters in Business Administration
