DELAWARE and CHESTER COUNTIES, PA — Chloe Johnson of Paoli is making an impressive leap from community college to the Ivy League. She has been awarded a full-tuition scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania, where she will complete her bachelor’s degree.
Johnson graduated with an associate degree in Business Administration from Delaware County Community College (DCCC) in May 2024. She managed this while working full-time. About eighteen months ago, after dedicating a decade to a culinary career, she faced a significant decision point. “I decided to take the chance to pursue new goals and revisit shelved dreams,” Johnson said.
Initially, her goal was just to earn an associate degree. But soon, she realized she wanted more. “I told myself that if I could get a full-ride scholarship, I could continue.” Her academic excellence earned her an invitation to join DCCC’s Beta Psi Pi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the honor society for two-year colleges. Earlier this year, she was named to the 2024 All-Pennsylvania Academic Team, which included an offer to attend any Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education university tuition-free for two years.
Encouraged by DCCC faculty, Johnson explored all transfer scholarship opportunities. She applied to and was accepted by both the University of Pennsylvania and Columbia University. This month, she learned she had received the University of Pennsylvania’s Bread Upon the Waters Scholarship. This scholarship is for women at least 25 years old who plan to pursue a part-time undergraduate degree in the liberal arts. “I was able to transfer the maximum amount of credits, which is 50% of the degree requirements,” she said.
At Penn, Johnson aims to delve into leadership, communication, and nonprofit management. She draws inspiration from her volunteer work in Thailand, Cambodia, Haiti, and the U.S. “I envision someday creating a nonprofit center that can be a refuge for at-risk youth, integrating traditional therapy, arts, and trades to nurture holistic healing, creativity, and empowerment.”
As a non-traditional student balancing full-time work and studies, Johnson found strong support at DCCC. “I found comfort and support within the DCCC community,” she shared. “DCCC gave me confidence. It was one of the first places I felt really seen, where my hard work was being recognized.”
Chloe Johnson’s story is a testament to perseverance and the pursuit of dreams, proving that it’s never too late to redefine one’s path and achieve greatness.
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