Alumni Profile - Ryan Bowers '03
March 2016
This month’s profile is an example of the College’s mantra of “Find yourself here.” Ryan Bowers ’03 had initially started at another local school before enrolling at the College. Ryan’s story is a great example of a student taking advantage of the College’s transfer agreements with four-year schools. The College currently has more than 40 agreements in place that enable students to transfer to a bachelor degree program.
What year did you graduate from Delaware County Community College and with what degree?
"I graduated from Delaware County Community College in 2003 with my Associate in Arts in Education after moving to the area from New Jersey. I started my college experience at West Chester University, but was unable to sustain a positive academic path. I was able to transfer some of the credits to the College where I was able to complete my education at the time."
Did you pursue further academic goals?
"Years after graduating from the College, I stumbled upon an alumni newsletter at home and read a small article about some of my fellow graduates transferring to regional colleges and universities with full degree-credit transfer and scholarships. I read that Albright College had reciprocity with the College and contacted them about enrolling as a student to complete my bachelor’s degree. I eventually graduated from Albright College with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Psychology in 2011 and then completed a graduate program in Counseling Psychology at Immaculata University in 2014."
Where are you now?
"I bounced around the Delaware Valley for a few years, but now I live in Reading with my wife and two cats. I am a Pennsylvania State Licensed Professional Counselor and teach at Immaculata University in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate program. I am also in the final year of completing my Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. I have to credit to the College for helping me to learn more about my academic potential and to helping me become a more disciplined student. This has caused me to have academic success from college to college and from degree to degree.”
What is next for you professionally?
"Once I complete my Ph.D., I would like to find a full-time faculty position in a graduate counseling program in the Philadelphia area. I would also like to open a private practice close to the Marple Campus to work with people who have mental health concerns and those who are working towards personal goal attainment. When this is established, I might try to come back to the College and teach a few classes as well."
What is your favorite memory of your time on campus, outside of the classroom?
"I enjoyed meeting many people from all walks of life. I was able to meet and make new friends who helped me both in and outside of class. It was interesting to hear the personal stories of the students and how they started taking classes at the College. I remember there was always a good sense of camaraderie on campus which was also reinforced by the outstanding faculty members and administrative professionals."
Did you have a favorite professor or class during your studies?
"I can’t say that I had a favorite professor, but I can say I liked all of my professors. I had a good mixture of professors who were very supportive of my academic goals and professors who understood student potential and pushed me to perform at a high academic level. I can say that all of the professors at the College had positive impacts on my professional, academic and personal life.”
What advice would you give to current students and Alumni to capitalize on the education they received from the College?
"To current students: Finish your degrees! Once you finish your degree, you will experience a sense of accomplishment that you may have not experienced before and you will enter into a select group consisting of people who have already graduated from Delaware County Community College. The College prepares you to start working professionally and/or for future academic studies, so take advantage of these opportunities. While you are on campus, make connections with professors and other professionals as they will help guide and mentor you. Keep working hard and smart, you can and will reach your academic goals. Make your degree work for you by working hard for your degree. I look forward to seeing you at future alumni functions.”
“To Alumni: Follow your dreams, the College has prepared us all for future success. If you want to go back to school and get your bachelor’s degree, do it. If you want a master’s degree, you can get it. A doctoral degree? Yes, you can! Open a business or look for a promotion at your current job. Work in the community or give back with non-profit organizations. Use your alumni brothers and sisters for help, for guidance, for mentorship. Use the faculty and professional contacts from your time on campus for support. Use anyone who is willing to listen and to help. The sky is the limit for our alumni!”
