Get to know the new affinity group lead, Nabimie Ducas! Learn more about Nabimie (who goes by Nabie) and consider joining the SWE Community Colleges Affinity Group (AG) leadership team to help further the impact of SWE on community colleges.
What degrees do you have, and what colleges/universities did you attend?
I hold a Bachelor of Science in chemistry and a master’s degree in forensic chemistry, both from Temple University.
What is your profession?
I am currently a pre-clinical development scientist at Merck.
How did a community college education help you achieve your goals?
Attending the Community College of Philadelphia (CCP) allowed me to complete foundational coursework that later became the basis for more advanced and rigorous classes at Temple University. Beyond academics, the supportive community and access to teaching assistants, especially in my introductory chemistry courses, played a significant role in shaping my confidence and interest in chemistry. That experience ultimately influenced my decision to major in chemistry after transferring.
Are you still involved with the community college you attended?
At the time I attended CCP, I was not actively involved, largely because I was unaware of available resources and still navigating my path in higher education. However, as now a SWE Community College AG chair-elect, I hope to reconnect and serve community colleges through outreach and engagement, both at my former institution and beyond.
What do you want people to know about community colleges?
Community colleges offer incredible resources, but many students are unaware of them due to limited outreach. Students are often focused on identifying their major or next steps, which can make it difficult to seek out support systems. In my experience, community colleges provide accessible education, lower costs, and strong academic support, sometimes including free textbooks and closer guidance, which can be transformative for students.
What motivated you to pursue becoming the chair for the SWE Community Colleges AG?
My passion for serving community colleges is deeply personal. I began my academic journey at a community college, which laid the foundation for my career in chemistry. At one point, I even applied to be an adjunct professor because I wanted to give back in a meaningful way.
As a SWE member, I knew I wanted to volunteer where the help was most needed. When I learned about the SWE Community Colleges AG, it immediately resonated with me. During my time at a community college, I was not aware of SWE or whether it was even accessible, and I now recognize how powerful SWE can be in supporting students in STEM, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds.
Today, through my involvement in SWE and interactions with college students, I have seen firsthand how mentorship, representation, and community can influence success and confidence. I originally aspired to pursue chemical engineering, but felt discouraged at the time because I did not see women represented in that space. I do not want other students, women or men, who start at a community college to feel lost or limited in the same way. If given the opportunity and the right resources, I want to help ensure they feel supported, informed, and confident in pursuing their goals.
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