News

March 14, 2023 — Reading Area Community College’s Phi Theta Kappa Chapter, Alpha Sigma Rho, earned several awards at the Middle States Regional Convention, including the Tenth Most Distinguished Honors in Action Project in the Region. Chapters receive awards for their work on projects that support PTK’s Four Hallmarks (Service, Scholarship, Fellowship and Leadership).

One of these projects, Honors in Action, challenges members to develop a research question and plan an action based on the Honors Study Topic.  This year’s topic was The Art and Science of Play. The chapter officer team and active members investigated the mental health benefits of play for college students. As a result of their findings from this academic research, the students planned and implemented a set of actions, designed to maximize these benefits.

This project, along with other chapter activities demonstrated members’ research and leadership skills and commitment to seeing a project through from development to completion. “I am exceptionally proud of the hard work and dedication of the Alpha Sigma Rho Chapter,” says RACC Professor of Social Work/Sociology and Phi Theta Kappa Advisor, Danelle R. 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.

RACC Signs Guaranteed Transfer Admissions Agreement With Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania

READING, PA – On Tuesday, July 26, Reading Area Community College (RACC) signed a guaranteed transfer agreement with Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania in the Miller Center for the Arts on the RACC campus.

RACC and Commonwealth University (Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield universities) established this agreement to ensure qualifying students who graduate from RACC are guaranteed admission to Commonwealth University with at least full junior standing; with a guarantee for a renewable transfer scholarship based on the students' academic performance while enrolled at RACC and Commonwealth University.

"We are celebrating today a new agreement with Commonwealth University, which will open many new doors of opportunity for our graduates. This pathway is the result of great cooperation and collaboration between faculty and deans of our respective institutions and will serve well both the needs of our institutions and, more importantly, those of our students," says Reading Area Community College President, Dr. Susan Looney.

Commonwealth University will guarantee on-campus housing at the Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, or Mansfield campuses for the first year of full-time attendance for transferring students who wish to live on campus.

"Commonwealth University is committed to working with our community college partners to break down traditional barriers to education and ensure students have a clear path to success. This agreement is a shining example of partnership in action," said CU President Bashar Hanna. "I'm thrilled to witness the collaboration between our colleagues at Reading Area Community College and Commonwealth University—their vision and dedication is providing students a seamless transition, along with guaranteed, renewable transfer scholarships. Thank you to all who have made this possible in service to our region's students."

Student scholarships are also an exciting component of the agreement. Commonwealth University will award 4 tiers of transfer scholarships to RACC graduates – Tier 1 (3.50 GPA or above at RACC) will award $5,000 annually, Tier 2 (3.0 – 3.49 GPA at RACC) will award $4,000 annually, Tier 3 (2.50 – 2.99 GPA at RACC) will award $3,000 annually, and Tier 4 (2.0 – 2.49 GPA at RACC) will award $2,000 annually.

"The availability of student scholarships when transferring a RACC associate degree to Commonwealth University's bachelor's degree program makes access to a continuing education easier and will reduce the financial burden for our qualified transferring students," says RACC Director of Academic Partnerships, Kristen M. Marcinko.

To learn more about the Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania transfer agreement, or for more information about other transfer opportunities, contact Leora Chernesky at 610.372.4721 x5106, or visit https://www.racc.edu/services/transfer-services.

About Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania
With 500 combined years of serving the students of Pennsylvania and beyond, Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield universities have joined together under the banner of Commonwealth University. Our mission is to expand high-quality, affordable academic opportunities to support the needs of all learners. Together, we provide financially responsible degree options that maximize experiential learning, career preparation, and efficient time to degree completion.

About Reading Area Community College
Reading Area Community College is an accredited, comprehensive, open-enrollment education institution that provides associate degree, certificate, and diploma programs, career-focused training, transitional coursework, skills training for business and industry, personal enrichment programs, and public service activities. Sponsored by Berks County, the college provides affordable access to meet identified community educational needs.

RACC Legacy Publication Wins National Acclaim

Reading, PA, May 18, 2022 – The Columbia Scholastic Press Association has recognized Legacy 2021 as a Gold Medalist publication and awarded "All Colombian Honors" for all sections (Essentials, Verbal, and Visual). In addition, three Legacy contributors have won "Gold Circle Awards" from the association.

• Austin Graczyk, First Place in Experimental Fiction for "Cage Match."
• William Allen, First Place in Essays for "Jenever."
• Robert Bara-Popa, First Place in Photography, Single Artistic Photograph, for "Taken by the Wind."
• Robert Bara-Popa, Second Place in Photography, Portfolio of Work.

 Legacy 2021 has also won "First Place for Best Magazine" among small colleges from the Eastern Division of the Community College Humanities Association. On top of the first-place award, four students have been recognized for their exceptional work:

• Alex Lupold, First Place in Essay for "Looking Deeper: The Meaning of Godzilla."
• Nicholas Fulwood, Second Place in Poetry for "The Art of Gift Giving."
• Robert Bara-Popa, First Place in Photography for "Taken by the Wind."
• Allyson Finney, Third Place in Photography for "At the Gates."

Legacy is an award-winning journal produced by students of Reading Area Community College. Legacy's goal is to serve as our school's creative outlet and provide a showcase for the excellence achieved by our students. Through prose, poetry, artwork, and photography, Legacy reflects the diversity and richness within RACC's campus. As it is entirely student run, Legacy also provides an excellent opportunity for students who choose to serve on its team to gain hands-on publishing experience.

Reading, PA, May 9, 2022 – Mya Kochel is a senior at Daniel Boone High School, with her sights set on a career in law. At her current pace, she will be almost two years ahead of the rest of her class in her pursuit of completing college and graduating law school.

Beginning her freshman year, Mya began taking general studies courses through Reading Area Community College (RACC)'s dual enrollment program; and through RACC's online programs. At the high school, she took college-level biology, chemistry, US history, European history, literature, calculus, and statistics, among others. Included in her RACC online classes were computer, speech, and health sciences.

"While it seemed very intimidating at first, the professors and staff at RACC were very encouraging and supportive." RACC's Assistant Director of Early College Programs, Ms. Kristen Marcinko guided Mya through the process to ensure all the classes counted towards her RACC degree and transferability was at the forefront. "I give a lot of credit to Ms. Marcinko for helping me select the right courses and motivating me to excel when things got busy," she adds.

Things did get very busy. In addition to her high school and college classes, Mya was the president of Student Government, member of the National Honor Society, member of the Music Honors Society, member of the Community Service Club, was in the jazz band and choir; and played on the tennis and basketball teams.

"I really also have to thank my parents for their support through the years. They have always been there for me when I felt things were a little overwhelming," says Mya.

After graduating from RACC on May 6, and her graduation from Daniel Boone in June, Mya plans to attend West Virginia University, as a junior, to begin her law studies. "The dual enrollment program at RACC has been a great way for me to get a head start on my four year college degree, and also get me closer to a career in law."

Taking dual enrollment, earning an associate degree, and transferring seamlessly through articulation is the new affordable pathway to a bachelor's degree, says RACC Assistant Director of Early College Programs, Kristen Marcinko.

To learn more about the early college program at RACC, contact Marcinko at kmarcinko@racc.edu or 610.372.4721 x5127.

Reading, PA, May 2, 2022– Kelly Hartman is a junior at Wilson High School with a passion for a career in the health professions. In fact, she could not wait until she graduated from high school to take the next steps toward achieving her dream of becoming a doctor of nursing in either psychology or pediatrics. Kelly will graduate from Reading Area Community College (RACC) this week with an associate degree in psychology.

"I love to learn, and I love being busy and constructive. The early college program at RACC was perfect for me," she says.
Kelly began taking dual enrollment and early admissions courses her sophomore year at Wilson High School. Dual enrollment is taking a college course in the high school; early admissions is taking a college course on a college campus or online. Both are excellent ways to earn college credit while still in high school. She attended high school class during the day, and then completed her college credits online during nights and weekends. Her college-level courses at Wilson High School included Spanish, Literature, Precalculus and Art.

Kelly credits her mother, Miranda, who works in health professions as a registered nurse, as her inspiration, and the motivational source in her life. "I can't thank my mom enough for keeping me inspired, organized, and focused on my work," she says.

Kelly is also quick to acknowledge the Reading Area Community College staff and faculty for helping her through her debt-free, accelerated college pathway. "I was intimidated by the thought of attending college as a high school sophomore. I can also be a procrastinator," she laughed, "but the people at RACC, in particular, Carol Bean-Ritter (a professor in the Psychology department), made me feel comfortable, gave me confidence, and also helped me overcome my procrastination habits."

While jointly attaining a college associate degree while still in high school would seem like an overwhelming workload, Kelly also found time for activities outside of academics. She is the president of the Medical Leaders of Tomorrow Club, serves on the prom committee, is a member of the Wilson High School Link Crew, and works at part time at both American Eagle and Plato's Closet.

"The dual enrollment program at RACC has been a great way for me to get a head start on my four year college degree, and also get me closer to a career in healthcare."

Taking dual enrollment, earning an associate degree, and transferring seamlessly through articulation is the new affordable pathway to a bachelor's degree, says RACC Assistant Director of Early College Programs, Kristen Marcinko.
To learn more about the early college program at RACC, contact Marcinko at kmarcinko@racc.edu or 610.372.4721 x5127.