Chester County Residents Can Now Complete Associate Degrees at Downingtown Center

MICHELLE TOOKER

Earning an associate degree just got a little easier and closer to home for Chester County residents. Thanks to the new Pathway Program, students pursuing an associate degree in Business Administration or Psychology can complete their studies without leaving Delaware County Community College’s (DCCC) Downingtown Center.

A game-changer for Chester County

Launched in fall 2023, the Pathway Program offers numerous benefits, including convenience. 

Traditionally, Downingtown Center students had to journey to the College’s Marple Campus or transition to online courses to finish their associate degree. This extra travel posed a challenge, especially for those already balancing work, family, social and financial responsibilities alongside their academic pursuits. The program eliminates the commute, saving students time and money while allowing them to study in their own backyard.

“I completed nearly all my in-person classes at the Downingtown Center,” says Yegna Rangavajhala ’24, the program’s first graduate. “It was the perfect option for me—I could stay close to home, have my own space to study and avoid long commutes.” 

An Exton resident, Rangavajhala graduated from Downingtown East High School and chose DCCC to remain close to home while deciding her next steps. “I was overwhelmed by the whole college admissions process and needed time to adjust,” she says. “DCCC provided a softer landing, allowing me to complete my general education courses while considering my options. Looking back, it was one of my best decisions.”

Downingtown Center: Long history, extensive amenities

Another strength of the program is DCCC’s 30-year legacy of serving Chester County paired with the Downingtown Center’s ample amenities. 

Built on the site of the former Downingtown Industrial and Agricultural School, the Center features bucolic grounds, a Learning Commons, cafeteria, student services, updated labs and generous space for studying and gathering. It also boasts a 16,000-square-foot Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Wing, which makes it easier for Chester County students to pursue programs in Science for Health Professions and Mathematics/Natural Sciences or courses in health studies, pre-engineering and pre-nursing.  

The full college experience

The Pathway Program also offers an enriched learning environment. While optional, students are encouraged to complete their coursework within a cohort model. This fosters a strong sense of community, allowing students to form connections and support one another, much like the experience found at four-year institutions.

Plus, through a wealth of extracurricular activities, students can pursue different interests, make new friends and develop real-world skills. Rangavajhala took full advantage of this, serving as an active member and co-executive producer for the New Media Lab and Vice President of the Beta Psi Pi Chapter of DCCC’s Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. 

“I saved so much time by not having to commute, which allowed me to be involved in extracurriculars,” she says. Extra free time also afforded her the opportunity to collaborate with other students to produce a documentary. 

“Unspoken Journeys” highlights faculty, students and residents of a local senior living facility and their experiences with resilience, perseverance, healing, and sorrow and was produced as part of the PTK Beta Psi Pi Chapter’s Honors in Action Project. “Working on the documentary helped me build my organizational, teamwork and communication skills,” adds Rangavajhala.

Personalized support and opportunities to uncover passions

Beyond the extracurricular opportunities, the Pathway Program also offers students personalized support and the chance to discover their passions. This is especially true for Rangavajhala, who completed her associate degree in Business Administration in December 2024 and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree at Temple University.

“At Downingtown, I had one-on-one time with my professors. My math class had only eight students, so I got the individualized attention I needed,” she says. “At Temple, one of my classes has up to 200 students—it’s a completely different experience.”

She also found that beginning at DCCC helped her uncover her goals. While taking Legal Environment of Business, a required course for her major, she fell in love with law. The course “pushed me to pursue law as my future career…a big credit goes to professor Keeley Mitchell for igniting this passion,” says Rangavajhala, who plans to enter law school after finishing at Temple.

Charting an individualized path

The Pathway Program follows a typical college schedule, and students take between six and 13 credits per semester. While structured to take three years, the program can be adapted to two. Participants have flexibility in meeting their general education requirements and may also complete courses during summer or winter terms.

So far, there’s been a strong response to the program. Currently, 49 students are enrolled in the Business Administration pathway and 29 in the Psychology pathway. 

As the program grows, the Downingtown Center will continue its decades-long commitment to serving as a hub for educational opportunity and academic achievement in Chester County.
To learn more about the Downingtown Center Pathway Program, contact Admissions at 610-359-5050.