Reading, PA – Lisa Watson, Deputy Secretary of Human Services and Tamila Lay, Director of Bureau of Employment Programs visited Reading Area Community College on Friday, March 29th to learn more about the college’s successful KEYS GED Bridge program.

RACC’s unique KEYS GED Bridge program prepares students to take the GED, or general equivalency exam, but offers case management, financial assistance and academic support to help students navigate college.
     
A recent study shows community colleges using the Bridge program shows these students are 20 percent more likely to complete GED classes and exams and to enroll in higher education courses. “Some of our students have some pretty significant challenges,” says Dr. Susan Looney, RACC president. “Student stories can change every week. Having them think about a career and having that extra support really makes a difference.”

Nationally, less than five percent of those with a GED will earn a bachelor’s degree, compared with 33 percent of those with high school diplomas, according to the US Census. Studies by the National Bureau of Economic Research show that although many GED students take the exam with the intention of gaining a post-secondary diploma, about 77 percent of GED holders do not go on beyond the first semester of college.

Those behind KEYS GED Bridge are hopeful the program gives students the support they need to stick with their studies.

“We are honored to be recognized by the Department of Human Services for our success in the development and implementation of the KEYS GED Bridge Program. We are excited to have Deputy Secretary, Lisa Watson and Director of Employment and Training Programs, Tamila Lay hear about the program’s evolution and to share our student’s success stories,“ says Mary Turner, MS, RACC KEYS Program Coordinator/Student Facilitator.

The mission of the Department of Human Services is to improve the quality of life for Pennsylvania’s individuals and families. We promote opportunities for independence through services and supports while demonstrating accountability for taxpayer resources.

For more information about DHS, visit www.dhs.pa.gov.

Learn more about the RACC GED Bridge program.
 

Commencement Ceremony

• WHEN: May 10, 2019
• WHERE: The Santander Arena, 700 Penn St., Reading, PA. Please use the Penn Street entrance.
• TIME: 2:00PM - Please follow instructions upon your arrival.There will be ambassadors available to direct you!

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Reading, PA- Alpha Sigma Rho, Reading Area Community College’s Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Chapter, attended the PTK Middle States Regional Convention in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania March 15-17. The Hallmark Awards, one of the major programs of PTK International, engages members to participate in activities which support the Society’s Hallmarks of Scholarship, Leadership, Service and Fellowship. Chapters submit reports on their work in several areas. These submissions are judged competitively and individuals, chapters and regions are recognized for their excellence in support of these hallmarks. Awards are given on both a regional and international level. The Middle States Region includes eighty chapters from Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and D.C.

During the annual PTK Middle States Regional Convention, the chapter received several significant awards:

• College Project-among the top 10 in the Middle States Region for work planning and implementing a college-wide Volunteer Fair 
• Honors in Action-among the top 10 in the Middle States Region for their academic exploration of how people communicate in today’s society.  The aim was to foster connections through various types of communication as a response to the prevailing divisive communication evident in many aspects of our digital society. 
• Honors in Action-the chapter was awarded the best in the region for alignment with Theme 7 (Powers of Connection) of the honors study topic
• Among the top 15 Most Distinguished Chapters in the Middle States Region-this is awarded to chapters based on cumulative scores in the Hallmark activities (out of 80 chapters in the region)
• REACH Award for high membership acceptance rates-RACC’s rate this past year was 19.3% as compared to 18.6% regional average and 14.4% international average
• Five Star Chapter Award and Gold Star Chapter for achieving the Five Star designation as part of PTK’s chapter development program
• Best Pennsylvania Commit to Complete single day event for work with the college on degree completion

In addition to these chapter-based awards, the following individuals received awards: 

• Dr. Danelle Bower-Horizon Outstanding Advisor Award and Five-Star Chapter Advisor Award for completing the online advisor development program
• Judith Croteau (Chapter President)-Chapter President Award; Chapter Officer Hall of Honor Roll award and Five-Star member award for completing the competitive edge soft skills development program
• Valerie Mackey (Chapter Vice President)-Chapter Officer Honor Roll award and Five-Star member award for completing the competitive edge soft skills development program 
• Dr. Donna Singleton-Five-Star Chapter Advisor Award for completing the online advisor development program 
• Kristy Whitekettle (RACC alumna)-inducted into the Middle States Region Alumni Association
• Leann Wolf-Distinguished Chapter Member Award for her significant work supporting chapter activities

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-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.

Middle school students from across Berks County got a chance this week to get an up-close look at the world of engineering.

The Greater Reading Chamber Alliance, the local chapter of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Reading Area Community College and R/C Reading Movies teamed up to celebrate National Engineers Week. They presented an event for students designed to expose them to the world of engineering.

Throughout the week, students traveled to the IMAX theater on North Second Street to view the film "Dream Big: Engineering Our World." Afterward, they headed to RACC to check out engineering demonstrations and career exploration tables with local employers, colleges and universities.