Fatumata “Fatu” Kaba has always been ahead of the curve.
Valedictorian of her class at Academy Park High School in Sharon Hill, she planned to attend Delaware County Community College when she was in the ninth grade. Now, Kaba is going straight from community college to the Ivy League. She will shortly enroll at Yale University, where she will complete her bachelor’s degree.
“I want to eventually earn a doctorate, and spending my first two years of college at DCCC made that dream affordable,” she said.
But it is not just about the dollars.
“The DCCC professors are very accomplished people in their fields, yet easy to talk to,” said Kaba, a Psychology major. “They open doors for lab networking and share their dissertations and research — yet are teachers first.”
Kaba performed exceptionally well academically at DCCC, where she graduated with a 4.0 GPA. While she was accepted to Yale based solely on academics, she also happens to be the 2026 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Div. III national champion in the triple jump and earned numerous All-America accolades — including 2026 First Team All-America — during her DCCC track and field career.
Second in the national event in 2025, her goal was to stand atop the podium this year. From 6:00 AM practices with her teammates throughout the chilly winter and early spring, her determination paid off.
“It is a great finish to being a DCCC Phantom,” she stated.
While at DCCC, Kaba was also President of the Student Government Association, Vice President of the Psychology Club, and a member of the Phi Theta Kappa national honor society.
Kaba earned her associate degree from DCCC in May 2026 and will enter Yale in August. She will major in either Psychology with a concentration in Neuroscience or Cognitive Science. She hopes to get involved in undergraduate research. Her goal is a career in clinically-based research for Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s, and traumatic brain injuries.
Kaba is excited about Yale and exploring New England.
“DCCC prepared me well for encountering different experiences, thanks to the people I met and the opportunities I found there.”
Kaba’s story is proof that big dreams can start close to home. Whether you’re planning to transfer to a four-year university, pursue a competitive career path, or discover opportunities you never imagined, Delaware County Community College provides the foundation, support, and affordability to help you get there.
Learn more about academic programs, student leadership opportunities, transfer pathways, and athletics at Delaware County Community College and start building your own success story today.
