· Mr. Linder is currently Professor in Social Sciences at Delaware County Community College, Media, Pennsylvania
· He holds a B.A. degree in Behavioral Sciences for Widener University, a Certificate of Training in Family Therapy from Catholic University, Washington, D.C., and a Master’s degree in Higher Education and Counseling from Kutztown University.
· Mr. Linder was formerly Assistant Director of the Human Services Program at the Alexandria Campus of Northern Virginia Community College. He served in that position from 1980-1989, holding concurrently the rank of Assistant Professor in Human services.
· Prior to joining the faculty at NVCC, Mr. Linder was a counselor/instructor at Kutztown University from 1976-1980. He has been a Master Trainer and an Associate of the Robert R. Carkhuff Institute of Human Technology, specializing in Interpersonal Skills Training for teachers, counselors, and other human services personnel and clientele.
· His special skills in individual and group counseling, alcohol and drug education, and marketing and resource development, have led to extensive consulting initiatives in these areas. He has written and co-authored a number of publications relating to student development, the helping relationship and peer pressure.
· Mr. Linder has been Clinical Supervisor for the Alexandria Department of Mental Health and Retardation Division of Substance Abuse and has been the Associate Director of the Parent Focus Program; a program for teenage parents, in Washington, D.C. for five years.
· More recently, Mr. Linder was a co-founder and superintendent of a Charter School, and has received an honorary doctorate degree (D. Sci.) for his work/co-authorship on “The Freedom Doctrine: Architecture for Global Freedom, (2003) Possibilities Publishing, Inc., Amherst, MA,; Other co-authorships include: The Art of Helping in the Twenty First Century:Student Workbook. 2000). HRD Press, Amherst, MA: Getting Away Clean: SKills for Handling Negative Peer Pressure (1986). HRD Press, Amherst, MA
Portia was educated in the Chester-Upland School District and completed twelfth grade at Chester High School in 1967. After high school, she attended the Keystone School of Business in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, taking Stenography and other Business Related courses. Portia also attended Allegheny Community College and is currently enrolled in the Delaware County Community College's program for Business.
Portia is a long time member of the Calvary Baptist Church. She is a volunteer for the Xinos Hub Parents, DCCC Student Success Parent Group and the Negro Business & Professional Women's Youth Group.
Other affiliations are: President of the DCCC Student Success Parent Group, 3rd Vice-President of the Chester High School PTO, Executive Board Member for the Booker T. Washington Community Center, Former President of the Chatham Estates Residents Council, Member of the Resident Advisory Board for the Chester Housing Authority, Board of Directors for the Chatham Estates Community Development Corporation, Former Executive Board Member for Mothers In Charge (Chester Chapter), Former President of the Columbus-Edison PTO, Member of Chester-Upland Superintendent’s Community Advisory Board, Former Member of the Community Advisory Board for Edison Corporation in Chester-Upland, Parent Spokesperson for Education in the Community of Chester, PA, Former Member of the Board of Directors for the Chester YWCA, Former Member of the Negro Business and Professional Women’s Club, Inc., Past Contributing Editor to Perspective Magazine, and a volunteer for the Barack Obama Campaign 2008.
Portia West has been employed by QVC, Inc. since August 31, 1987, and is currently a Department Specialist III and supports two Directors and two Teams of Project Managers. She has been a loyal employee and dedicated to the QVC Difference of customer focus, teamwork, pioneering spirit, commitment to excellence, respect and concern for others. Ms. West is also experienced with handling Better Business Bureau and Attorney General Issues on behalf of QVC.
Portia was also a Volunteer Presenter/Educator for Breast Cancer Awareness in the Chester Community on behalf of Crozer-Chester Medical Center. This effort was under the direction of Susan Brown, Director of the Breast Cancer Center.
Portia West believes that it is time for a bipartisan change in local government where all people can come together without thought on party affiliations and make decisions that will enhance the well-being of the greater Chester Community. We can co-exist with Democrats, Republicans and Independents who share the common interest of economic revitalization, up-to-date technology, quality education for public & charter schools, creating jobs in our community and economic stability for all citizens. We need partnerships, volunteers and mentors who are willing to invest in Chester's infrastructure in a fair and equitable manner. Last, we cannot lose our community to the digital divide "the haves and the have nots".