Reading PA, November 6, 2024 – Reading Area Community College (RACC) has been named a top ten finalist for the 2024 Bellwether Award in the category of Planning, Governance, and Finance.

The Bellwether Award is one of the most prestigious community college awards in the nation. The competition and selection process brings a level of excellence that demonstrates the innovate spirit and results-driven mindset that exists among the finest community colleges.

RACC’s submission, “Driving Enrollment: Bringing the College Registration Process into the High Schools” showcases RACC’s innovative initiatives of inserting the college admissions process into high schools; ensuring a smooth enrollment transition for the student by providing a seamless transfer from the high school guidance counselor to college admissions counselor, and then to a RACC academic advisor.

“Meeting students in their school environment rather than having them come to campus is a critical aspect of recruitment for the students in our community,” says RACC Director of Admissions and Enrollment Services, Kathy Cunningham, M.Ed. “It also strengthens RACC’s presence in the high school while ensuring the school guidance office is engaged with the college,” she adds.

The Bellwether College Consortium is comprised of award-winning colleges charged with addressing critical issues facing community colleges and recognizing best practices. RACC won the Bellwether Award in 2024 in the category of Instructional Programs and Services. 

“I am so proud of the incredible work done by our admissions and advising staff to continue improving processes to better serve our high school students,” says RACC President Dr. Susan Looney. “Being recognized as a Bellwether finalist for the third year in a row, further validates my belief that RACC’s faculty and staff are among the best in the country.”

Annually, the Bellwether Consortium nominates 30 community colleges finalists from a large group of applicants in the United States and its territories. The selected colleges compete for one of three Bellwether Awards. A rigorous selection process with two rounds of judging by peers and academicians in the field culminates with a daylong event of presentations by contenders for the Bellwether Award. 

Finalists will participate in the final round of the Bellwether Award competition at the 31th Annual Community College Futures Assembly to be held Sunday, February 23 through Tuesday, February 25, at the Menger Hotel in San Antonio, Texas.

David Hessen
Director of Marketing & Communications
Reading Area Community College
610.607.6212
dhessen@racc.edu