Skip to main content

Covid-19 Health Alerts: Updates can be found here: racc.edu/health-alerts

Top menu

  • myRACC
  • ONLINE LEARNING
  • SCHMIDT TRAINING & TECHNOLOGY CENTER
  • .
Home
  • APPLY/REGISTER
    • APPLY
    • Register
    • Request Information
  • ABOUT
    • President
    • Board Of Trustees
    • Leadership Team
    • Mission/Core Values
    • Strategic Goals
    • Campus Master Plan
    • Accreditations
    • Memberships
    • Campus Map and Directions
    • Safety and Security
    • Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
    • Faculty and Staff Directory
    • Foundation for RACC
    • Human Resources
    • Purchasing
    • Media
  • ACADEMICS
    • Programs and Pathways
    • Online Learning
    • Health Professions
    • Honors Program
    • Calendar of Events
    • Computer Labs
    • Career Training
    • Early College Programs
    • Community Education
    • EAP Program
    • Academic Advising
    • Academic Enrichment
    • Academic Support
    • Yocum Library
    • Schmidt Training & Technology Center
  • ADMISSIONS/AID
    • How to Get Started
    • Virtual Open House
    • Virtual Campus Tour
    • Admissions Events
    • Admissions FAQs
    • K-12 Career Days
    • School Counselors
    • Placement Assessment
    • Tuition and Fees
    • Financial Aid / Scholarships
    • Orientation
  • STUDENT LIFE
    • Bookstore
    • Clubs and Organizations
    • Student Life Events
    • Graduation
    • Fitness Center
    • Leadership Program
    • RACCy Olympics
    • Raven Ambassadors
    • Student Conduct and Expectations
    • Student Handbook and Catalogs
  • SERVICES
    • Academic Support
    • Advantage Program
    • Assessment Services
    • Accessibility Services
    • CareerLink
    • Career Services Center
    • Information Services
    • KEYS Program
    • Nursing Mother's Room
    • Perkins
    • PSECU Banking
    • Student Success Center
    • Student Records
    • Transfer Services
    • Upward Bound
    • Veterans Services
  • MORE
    • myRacc
    • Online Learning
    • Schmidt Training & Technology Center
Not results
News
Admissions
Announcements
General
In the News
STTC News
Student Spotlight

News

Chris Celmer: From RACC Graduate to Assistant Superintendent at Reading School District

Chris Celmer: From RACC Graduate to Assistant Superintendent at Reading School District
Chris Celmer: From RACC Graduate to Assistant Superintendent at Reading School District

August 2018 | berkscountyliving.com

Chris Celmer started his Reading Area Community College (RACC) journey as a student, but RACC provided him with much more than an associate's degree. "Going to RACC was the best decision I ever made," explains Celmer. "It was a turning point in my life and put me on track for long term success," says Chris.

Chris was drawn to RACC for the economic perspective and the ease of being able to juggle his full-time job and course load. He enrolled in RACC as a Business Management major. He continued his education at Alvernia University, where he obtained his bachelor's degree in Business Administration and later got his master's degree at Wilkes University. Chris credits RACC for laying the groundwork for his success. He says, "The foundation that I was given at RACC in the business division allowed me to have a successful journey in school and in the working world."

While working in a prospering manufacturing position, Chris was given the opportunity to teach an adult education course at RACC. Teaching the program helped him to transition his career to work full-time in education. "I realized that education was going to be my gateway to attaining my career goals, and RACC is where I found my passion for leadership and for education," he says. Chris segued to a position at the Berks County Intermediate Unit, which ultimately led him to where he is today, Assistant Superintendent at Reading School District.

Chris attributes his success to the guidance he received from professors Dr. Sandy Kern and Mary Lou Kline. At RACC, both Sandy and Mary Lou were his go-to professors not only for guidance in his studies, but also for counsel with his career.

"I wouldn't be where I am today without the two of them," he asserts. "They both had a phenomenal impact on my life." Chris stayed in contact with Dr. Kern while on a Programming Advisory Board in the Business Division at RACC. And recently, Dr. Kern asked Chris to teach an Operation Management course. "To keep in contact with Sandy over the years has been a real blessing, and now being able to come back to RACC to teach under her is very exciting," he says.

As an administrator in the public school system, Chris feels that RACC is a phenomenal option for students. He believes the bigger universities lack the personal interaction that RACC offers. "The faculty and staff want to do what's right by their students, especially those coming out of high school that need more guidance and support," he says. Chris's recommendation to attend RACC comes both professionally and personally, since his daughter Rayanna is starting classes in the Early Childhood program next year. "I would absolutely recommend RACC to anyone if they are looking at furthering their education."

Download PDF

Features & News

RACC Receives $40,000 in Hunger-Free Campus Grant Funding
Jan 17, 2023

January 17, 2023 — Earlier this year, PA Governor Tom Wolf announced that $1 million in PA

Reading Area Community College and Villanova University sign transfer agreement
Jan 10, 2023

January 9.

RACC/Albright address employer talent shortages with new agreement
Dec 05, 2022

Addressing a 16-year-high in global talent shortages, a new seamless path from associate to master’s degree

  • APPLY
  • Request Info
  • Visit Racc
  • Donate

READING AREA

COMMUNITY COLLEGE

10 S 2nd St.

Reading PA 19602

610-372-4721


Copyright ©

RACC

  • F
  • T
  • Y
  • L
  • S
  • I
  • Popular Links
    • Human Resources
    • Purchasing Department
    • Campus Map and Directions
  • Popular Links (cont.)
    • myRACC
    • Health Alerts
    • Omnilert (Alerts)
    • Sustainability
  • Contact Information
    • Faculty/Staff Directory
    • Safety and Security
    • Incident Reporting
    • IT Support
    • Webmaster
  • Policies
    • Consumer Info (HEOA)
    • Disclaimer
    • Grievance Policies
    • Non-Discrimination/EOE
    • Privacy
    • Right to Know Act
    • Smoke/Tobacco-Free
    • Title V
    • Title IX
  • F
  • T
  • Y
  • L
  • S
  • I

Copyright © Reading Area Community College

10 South Second Street, Reading, PA 19602 610-372-4721

Accredited by the Middle States Commission
on Higher Education


3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 215-662-5606