The Power of Accessible Education: A look

at Inter American’s new Philadelphia campus

By Ramses Montes

Are you interested in an accessible, affordable, culturally sensitive college experience? In today’s rapidly changing world, a bilingual, multinational college education can help propel your career more than ever while transforming people and communities. This deep knowledge of the inherent value of higher education led to the 1912 founding of the original Inter American Campus in San Germán, Puerto Rico, and the subsequent inauguration of their latest campus in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Adjacent to Taller Puertorriqueño, Inter American’s new campus sits in the heart of Philadelphia’s Fairhill neighborhood, accessible to Philadelphia’s epicenter for Latine—specifically Puerto Rican—culture. With a per capita income that’s half the city’s average and double the violent crime rate, this neighborhood has been gripped by poverty and urban decay. Still, it is replete with talented, driven people. According to Dr. Rafael Ramírez Rivera, Acting President of Inter American University, “Now to come to Taller, in the north of Philly, it’s like giving back to a community that has similar characteristics to where I lived. And to contribute to the education for this population, it’s very exciting; it’s very powerful.”

This inauguration and the first classes, which began in January 2023, are the result of years of perseverance and dedication from all parties. Dr. Carmen Febo, who was Taller’s executive director for twenty-two years up until the fall of 2021, offers stunning insight, stating, “I think when the president saw it, it clicked, the space clicked; the fact that Taller Puertorriqueño is smack in the middle of a Puerto Rican community, the kind of community they’re trying to support.” Over six years, Taller and Inter American worked hand in hand to bring their vision to fruition. Dr. Febo states, “The idea to reach out to Inter American, that credit has to be given to Edgardo González; he’s a board member at Taller.”

“The thing is, the big problem is that our students, the neighborhood kids, start studying in a university far from here. That comes out being very expensive, they have to travel to who-knows-where, and they start and don’t finish because they can’t,” González explained. “So I said, then why don’t we give them an education in their own neighborhood, a place where they can walk out the doors and see their community?” This idea led to the partnership with Inter American after a chance meeting at a gathering hosted by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education at Taller Puertorriqueño. “So it happened by complete coincidence that the Middle States Commission was hosting a meeting at Taller on the week of our new building’s inauguration in 2016, and all the Inter American staff was there.” The partnership persisted through logistical obstacles, hurricanes on the island, and the COVID-19 pandemic. At last, Inter American Philadelphia Education Center [IPEC] opened to the public on October 11, 2022.

Currently, the campus offers a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education: Preschool Level. At only $300 per credit, the campus provides bilingual delivery and comprehensive staff.

Katiann Figueroa, a local Kensington resident who plans to attain a degree in childhood education, said, “I’m excited to study in my community. It gives me a lot of hope, and I’m very enthused to start learning.” Indeed, Inter American is opening many doors for people who might not have previously considered pursuing this degree. Another prospective student, Belisa Robles de Jesus, said, “I feel like I’m back in Puerto Rico. I’m forty-seven years old, but it’s never too late.”

~ Edgardo Gonzalez

The campus aims to be a culturally comprehensive environment where students feel welcome to learn. “I hope that my students can be here and can be loud…and they can speak their language without it being judged or their intentions misinterpreted, and not always doubting themselves or proving themselves, giving them space to shine in other aspects,” adds Nasheli Ortiz, Executive Director of Taller Puertorriqueño, describing the atmosphere she hopes to create with Inter American at Taller.

About the Author

Ramses Montes is a Philadelphiabased writer, musician and filmmaker. Their work centers around food security and community involvement. In their free time they like to read, stretch and play video games.