Reading, PA – Reading Area Community College hosted over 130 Berks County middle school students, teachers and administrators for their third annual STEM Day on Friday, November 8th.

Students from Tulpehocken, Reading, Wilson, Kutztown, Brandywine, Oley Valley, Conrad Weiser, Antietam and Daniel Boone School Districts conducted hands-on experiments using techniques and procedures in the areas of geocaching, chemistry, robotics, physics, medical lab technology, respiratory therapy and even simulated crime scene investigations using forensics technology. The experiments were designed to help get students excited about how fun science can be as a career path and encourage them to make positive future life and career choices.

“We’re focused on developing strategies and fun programming for young people that encourage a passion for STEM. This is our third annual STEM Day and it’s a wonderful chance to show the students from Berks County school districts and the Berks community what is happening in STEM at RACC; and how our young people can prepare to take these areas to an exciting new level in the future,” says RACC President Dr. Susan Looney.

After extensive renovations in the spring and summer of 2017, RACC’s labs are dedicated to every segment of the STEM division, incorporating applied engineering and technology, physical and life sciences, and health sciences. The chemistry and physics labs were relocated into the Schmidt Training and Technology Center to better integrate both areas into the workforce development and applied engineering programs.

“In just three years, STEM Day has become a beloved RACC tradition for our K12 partners’ middle school students and teachers. Our faculty and staff have as much fun as the kids, and I’m especially proud of RACC colleagues who share their talents and time on STEM Day. A truly remarkable day for STEM education in Berks County,” says RACC Director of Academic Partnerships, Jodi Corbett. 

To learn more about the STEM programs at RACC please call 610.607.6224 or visit RACC STEM programs.

READING, Oct. 31 – State Reps. Tom Caltagirone and Mark Rozzi and Sen. Judy Schwank announced Reading Area Community College will receive almost $43,000 in state funding from a Preschool Development Grant as part of a $1.5 million investment from the state to improve the quality of early childcare education.

“This grant will ultimately help provide a seamless pathway for students attending Reading Area Community College to pursue a Bachelor of Science in education at Kutztown University,” said Caltagirone, D-Berks. “The program will not only benefit college students by helping them earn teacher certification, but it has the potential to have a great impact on our region by improving the quality of the education our future teachers receive.” 

Reading Area Community College will receive a grant totaling $42,947.

“This grant will help provide a stronger relationship between a local college and local university, developing project partners that will ultimately benefit all of the students in our region,” Rozzi said.

The grants will allow the universities and colleges to design specific courses related to Pennsylvania’s Learning Standards for Early Childhood Infant and Toddlers and Pre-Kindergarten.

“We are fortunate in Berks to have institutions of higher learning that are willing to work together for the benefit of students,” Schwank said. “Well-educated early childhood teachers are a necessity if we are to properly prepare future generations of learners, and this grant will help pave the way for those teachers.”

The grant is a partnership between the Pennsylvania Departments of Education and Human Services Office of Child Development and Early Learning and the Pennsylvania Department of Education Office of Postsecondary and Higher Education.

Washington DC - On Wednesday, October 9th, President Donald Trump announced that RACC Board of Trustees Chair, Mr. Guido M. Pichini will be appointed to the Commission on Presidential Scholars, a group of distinguished citizens charged with selecting and honoring the nation’s top graduating high school seniors. 

Established in 1964, the Presidential Scholars Program recognizes and honors the nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors. A panel selects scholars who demonstrate exceptional accomplishments in academics, the arts and an outstanding commitment to public service.

Pichini will join more than a dozen other commissioners who work in education, medicine, law, social services, business and other professions. 

“I am honored to be able to provide this public service, especially because of the role the Presidential Scholars play in the development of leadership for our nation’s future,” says Pichini.

During a decades-long career of public service and educational capacities, Mr. Pichini has served as councilman in the Borough of Wyomissing Hills, and four terms as Mayor. As a member of the President’s Council at Alvernia University, and presently as a member of Alvernia University’s Board of Trustees. Mr. Pichini has served as a member of the Council of Trustees of Kutztown University (serving three terms as Chair). He served on the Board of Directors of the Kutztown University Foundation, and as President of the Pennsylvania Association of Councils of Trustees. He presently serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Reading Area Community College, on the Reading Area Community College Foundation Board, and is a member of the Board of Directors of the PA Commission for Community Colleges. Mr. Pichini served twelve years as a Governor of the PA State System of Higher Education, serving five terms as Chairman of the Board. In 2016, Mr. Pichini was honored by being named Chairman Emeritus of the PA State System of Higher Education Board of Governors. Guido served as a member of the executive committee and co-chair of the education committee of the PA Workforce Investment Board. Mr. Pichini also served as a commissioner on the PA Post-Secondary Education Commission.

Learn more about the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program

Reading, PA – On September 27, 2019, Reading Area Community College President Dr. Susan D. Looney delivered RACC’s state-of-the-college address to a large crowd in the Miller Center for the Arts on the RACC campus.

The event offered an opportunity for the Berks community and members of the RACC faculty and staff to reflect on the accomplishments of the college during the past year and look ahead with confidence to the new academic year.

”The state-of-the-college address offers a moment for our college, and our community to take note of key initiatives and accomplishments achieved by the hardworking and dedicated people who are continually advocating for students, partnering with us and striving to advance our college, and our community,” says Looney.  

Dr. Looney spoke to the four hallmarks that drive her leadership: access, opportunity, excellence, and hope. Among the college’s successful initiatives during the past year, she highlighted renewed and expanded partnerships with Alvernia University, Bucknell University, Kutztown University and Shippensburg University; introduction of new career pathways, and introduction of “Industry 4.0” education and training to the community and industry partners.

The president also highlighted four key goals outlined in the newly-adopted RACC five-year strategic plan: student learning and success, proactive community partnerships, maintaining a viable and effective workplace, and being known for excellence.

Also participating in the ceremony was Cindy Seaman, RACC senior vice president for academic affairs and provost, Alex Espinal, RACC student government president, Emma Wright, a RACC Honors student and Presidential Scholarship recipient, and the national anthem was performed by Barry Wilson, RACC director of advising and academic services.

Reading, PA – On Wednesday, September 11, 2019, over 250 people gathered at DeSales University to honor the top financial executives of the Greater Lehigh Valley at the 2019 Lehigh Valley Business CFO of the Year Awards. Sixteen financial professionals were recognized as finalists, with winners in a variety of categories.

Reading Area Community College Senior Vice President for Finance and Administrative Services/College Treasurer Kenneth E. Dearstyne, Jr. was the winner of the 2019 Lehigh Valley Business CFO of the Year (large nonprofit category). 

“It is an honor not only to win this award, but to be included in this group of talented individuals. In addition to thanking my wife, Janet, for her encouragement throughout my career, I wish to express my sincerest gratitude to my colleagues at RACC and our board of trustees for their support which makes this award possible. Also, thank you to the judges panel for the honor and recognition,” says Dearstyne.

Finalists in all categories were: Best Growth Manager: Timothy McNair, BRD Noise and Vibration Control, Inc.; John Snead, Polytek Development Corp. CFO of the Year-nonprofit (small): Ed Eppler, Discover Lehigh Valley; Art Troccoli PBS39. CFO of the Year-nonprofit (large): Lisa Hazler, Fellowship Community, Randy Lease, Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority, Devon Reynolds, YMCA of Reading and Berks County; Bob Richards, Phoebe Ministries. CFO of the Year (private company): Aelish Brooks, Good Life Companies; Ray Burke, Weiler Abrasives Group; Kyle Lance, Transform Rehabilitation, LLC; Mark Wilkin, Andesa Services, Inc. 

Judges for the event were: Tara Fleureton, CFO, Greater Valley YMCA; Gregory Krzemien, divisional CFO and senior financial director, NCR Payment Solutions; Maureen Michael, chief administrative officer and CFO, Da Vinci Science Center; and Gregory Yocco, CFO, MCS Industries, Inc.

For more information about the CFO of the Year Awards, visit Lehigh Valley Business.