READING, PA — Reading Area Community College (RACC) student Valerie Mackey has been selected as a 2019 GEICO Pathway to Completion Bachelor’s Degree Scholar and will receive a $1,500 scholarship.

Only two students received this scholarship, which is designed to provide Phi Theta Kappa members with financial resources to help defray educational expenses while pursuing a bachelor’s degree at a four-year college.

Originally from Dublin, Ireland, Valerie has been living in Wyomissing for twelve years. In three years, she has earned an AAS in web development, and an AA in computer information systems, both summa cum laude, and both with honors. She will be completing an additional associate’s degree in business administration before transferring to Bloomsburg University to complete a bachelor's degree in technical leadership.

“We are very proud of Valerie’s outstanding academic achievements and leadership potential which has earned her this prestigious award. She is an extremely hard worker, and her determination is an inspiration to everyone in PTK and at Reading Area Community College," says RACC PTK advisor, and RACC faculty member Dr. Danelle Bower.

The Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society recognizes academic achievement of community college students and provides opportunities for them to grow as scholars and leaders. For more information about Phi Theta Kappa at Reading Area Community College, please call 610.372.4721.

Reading, PA - RACC President, Dr. Susan Looney accompanied RACC Health Professions Program Directors, Alayne Fessler and Mandy Harshberger; and faculty members, Wendy Dunlop, Kim Colvell and Joan Zupicick on a tour of Penn State Health St. Joseph. The tour was hosted by Penn State Health St. Joseph staff members; Senior Physician Liaison, Patty Duncan, Vice President of Clinical Services, Chief Nursing Officer, Sharon Strohecker, Laboratory Director of Operations, Linda Gallagher, and Director of Cardiovascular, EEG, and Respiratory Services Steven Hockman.

Students from the Medical Laboratory Technician, Respiratory Care, and Associates Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs provided tours of their clinical areas at Penn State Health St. Joseph’s state-of-the-art medical laboratories and patient care areas.

“Our Health Professions classes feature an academically challenging curriculum combined with hands-on medical experiences specifically designed for aspiring allied health care professionals seeking practical experiences in the medical field. We are very proud of our success in preparing students to enter a medical or allied health care profession,” says RACC President Dr. Susan Looney.

RACC’s Division of Health Professions offers students career preparation in a variety of programs including the Associate Degree in Nursing, the Respiratory Care, and the Medical Laboratory Technician programs. All of the health profession programs have a strong science base and clinical component in addition to theory to prepare students for certification or licensing examinations in their field.

“Our clinical partnerships provide us with the opportunity for our students to apply their knowledge and gain practical clinical experience. We deeply value the relationships we have with our clinical affiliates. Today was an exciting opportunity for our students to share their expertise with Dr. Looney,” says Alayne Fessler, M.Ed., RACC Medical Laboratory Technician Program Director.

Michael Jupina, Penn State Health St. Joseph Vice President, Marketing and Communications adds, “Reading Area Community College’s educational and training programs have a well-earned reputation for producing quality students, many of whom become valuable employees at St. Joseph. Our partnership is a win-win for both of our organizations. We are appreciative that Dr. Looney took the time to visit so she could see the students in real-life clinical action.”

Learn more about the Health Professions program at RACC

Reading, PA-Judith Croteau a student at Reading Area Community College (RACC) has been named a 2019 Coca-Cola Academic Team Silver Scholar and will receive a $1,250 scholarship.

After relocating to Reading from Las Vegas Nevada, Croteau has received her Associate of Science in business management, Associate of Arts transfer in business administration, and plans to graduate with an Associate of Science in accounting from RACC in May, 2019.

"My goal is to return to RACC and teach. A very special thank you to my RACC Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Advisors Dr. Danelle Bower, and Dr. Donna Singleton; and Coca Cola. This scholarship is one more step on my path to a bachelor's degree and then a master's degree. My next stop is Kutztown University. I am incredibly blessed and excited," says Judith.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation sponsors the Coca-Cola Academic Team program by recognizing 50 Gold, 50 Silver, and 50 Bronze Scholars with nearly $200,000 in scholarships annually. Each scholar also receives a commemorative medallion.

"The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has a long history of providing financial assistance to outstanding students at community colleges," said Jane Hale Hopkins, president of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. "We are proud to partner with Phi Theta Kappa and make it possible for deserving students to achieve their educational goals."

"I am very proud of the hard work Judith applies toward achieving her goals," says Dr. Susan Looney, president of Reading Area Community College. "She is a shining example of the positive results enabled through RACC's ongoing commitment to access, opportunity, excellence, and hope."

Students are nominated for the academic team by their college administrators. Selection is based on academic achievement, leadership, and engagement in college and community service.

Coca-Cola Academic Team members will be recognized in both local and statewide ceremonies and will also be recognized internationally during Phi Theta Kappa's annual convention, PTK Catalyst, April 4-6 in Orlando, Florida.

To learn more about developing leadership potential through participation in Phi Theta Kappa programs at RACC, contact Danelle Bower at 610.372.4721.

Reading, PA – On Friday, November 9th, Phi Theta Kappa’s Reading Area Community College Chapter inducted fifty new members.

Family, friends, faculty, and staff all watched with pride as twenty-four young men and women inductees in attendance, who have fulfilled all requirements for membership, were selected because they have chosen scholarship, leadership, service, and fellowship as their hallmarks.

Phi Theta Kappa is the largest honor society in American higher education with more than 1.3 million members and 1,100 chapters located in fifty United States, U.S Territories, Canada, Germany, and Japan. In 1929, the American Association of Community Colleges recognized Phi Theta Kappa as the official honor society for two-year colleges.

The RACC chapter also provides members with many opportunities for scholarship, leadership, service and fellowship as an active club on campus. Membership can be beneficial in terms of a variety of scholarships, not only at RACC, but at future four-year colleges as well. Currently enrolled students are invited to join when they have completed at least twelve hours of associate degree coursework at RACC with a grade-point average of 3.6 or higher.

For more information about PTK at RACC, please contact Danelle Bower, 610.372.4721 ext. 5451.

The Career Services office at Reading Area Community College is hosting a Government and Non-profit Job Fair on November 13, 2018, from 12-3pm in the Student Union Building on the RACC campus. The event is open to all RACC students and graduates. Job seekers from the general public are also welcome to attend. “We are expecting more than 22 employers,” says Jen Gittings-Dalton, career development specialist at RACC. “We have employers hiring in multiple majors and career areas so we encourage all types of job-seekers to attend.”

Employers attending the fair include: Abraxas Academy, CareerLink Community Support Services, The US Census Bureau, Customs and Border Protection, Imperium Management Services, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Olivet Boys & Girls Club, PA National Guard, PA State Police, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, St. Luke’s University Health Network, Threshold, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, United States Air Force, US Navy, US Army, and the YMCA of Reading and Berks County.

Job seekers are encouraged to dress appropriately for interviewing and bring multiple resume copies. RACC students may create or improve their resumes by visiting the RACC Career Center, and also get help with interviewing and job search skills and any career-related questions. The Career Center is located in room B-220, Berks Hall; students may drop by during office hours or make an appointment by calling 610.607.6246.

This is the third year that the Government and Non-profit Job Fair has been held at RACC, with positive reviews from past attendees and employers. It is our hope that even more employers from the region will take advantage of this opportunity to connect with students and alumni of RACC’s many programs, and with many community job seekers as well.

“We are proud of our students and we are proud of our community. The people of Berks County are well-known for their hard work and loyalty, and RACC interns, students, and graduates add talent and skills to that foundation,” says Gittings-Dalton. 

For more information or to register as an employer please contact Pat Edgar, Career Center Specialist at 610.607.6246, careercenter@racc.edu or visit the Career Services webpage.