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.

Reading, PA – The Foundation for RACC, Truist and Boscov’s hosted an “I am Career Ready” shopping event for 2022 Reading Area Community College graduates on Monday, April 11 at the Boscov's Exeter store.

The event was made possible by a $15,000 grant from the Truist Foundation; with Boscov’s adding an additional 10% toward the purchase of professional attire for RACC 2022 graduates entering the workforce.

“Truist is proud to partner with Reading Area Community College and Boscov’s in helping their students prepare for the next step in life. Our company’s purpose is to ‘Inspire and build better lives and communities’ and this event certainly gave us the opportunity to help fulfill that purpose here in Berks County. Thanks to RACC and Boscov’s for this opportunity and we wish the students all the best in the future!” says Truist Market President David Roland.

Boscov's employees helped students select clothing for an upcoming internship or new career at no cost to the graduates. Most graduates received up to $250 worth of clothing and accessories. 

“We’re delighted to partner with Reading Area Community College and help launch the careers of so many outstanding students.  We thank Truist for the investment they have made in the graduates and in our community. We are pleased and excited to help outfit these hard working students as they enter the workforce,” says CEO of Boscov’s Department Stores, Jim Boscov.

Additionally, Truist Bank representatives were on site to share money management tips with the graduates. 

“This is a wonderful collaboration between three leading Berks County organizations. Last fall, Dave Roland and I were exploring ways to best maximize the benefits of this grant, and after discussing with Jim Boscov, the “I am Career Ready” shopping event was born. As RACC graduates, they have the training to be successful in the workplace, and thanks to this grant, they will now have the professional attire to complement their skills,” says Foundation for RACC Executive Director Tony DeMarco.

To learn more about the Foundation for RACC, please contact foundation@racc.edu or 610-607-6239.

Reading, PA – On Monday, April 4, Reading Area Community College President Dr. Susan Looney and Kutztown University of Pennsylvania President Dr. Kenneth Hawkinson signed an agreement, which will provide a seamless transfer for RACC students to enter the KU Bachelor of Science in Physics: Engineering Technology. 

Under the Dual Admissions Agreement, Reading Area Community College students will be guaranteed admission into a B.S. Physics: Engineering Technology degree program with third year (junior) status at Kutztown University of PA on the condition that they meet specific criteria.

“We are celebrating today a new agreement in engineering with Kutztown University, one of the top transfer destinations for our graduates. This agreement is the result of great cooperation and collaboration between faculty and deans of our respective institutions and will serve well the needs of our institutions and, more importantly, those of our students,” says Reading Area Community College President Dr. Susan Looney.

A full-time student admitted with third year status to Kutztown University will be able to complete a Bachelor of Science in Physics: Engineering Technology at Kutztown University within four regular semesters provided that the student completes the appropriate Associate Degree program at Reading Area Community College and completes and appropriately sequences their remaining course work at Kutztown University while maintaining full-time status.  

 “Our purpose in developing these important agreements with RACC is to provide quality, low-cost programs to the citizens of this region and to further develop our partnership with one of the finest community colleges in the state to serve the greater Reading area by providing well-educated, well-trained graduates, who after their graduation, can give back and serve their community,” Kutztown University President Dr. Kenneth Hawkinson.”

To learn more about the Kutztown University B.S. Physics: Engineering Technology Transfer Agreement, or transfer agreements RACC has with other four year colleges, please call 610-607-6245 or transfer@racc.edu.

Reading, PA – Alpha Sigma Rho, Reading Area Community College’s Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Chapter, attended the PTK Middle States Regional Convention March 11-13, 2022 in Galloway, New Jersey. 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 over eighty chapters from Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.

During the annual PTK Middle States Regional Convention, the Reading Area Community College Phi Theta Kappa Alpha Sigma Rho Chapter received several significant awards, including: 

• Distinguished Chapter-#7 in the Region. This is awarded to chapters based on average scores on written entries for     Honors in Action (HIA) and College Projects. 
• Distinguished College Project-#15 in the Region
• Distinguished Honors in Action (HIA)-#6 in the Region
• Five-star chapter (among 36 in the region who received this distinction) In addition to these chapter-based awards,     the following individuals received awards: 
• Outstanding Chapter Officer-Kimberly Suárez (President)
• Outstanding Chapter Officer-Chelsey Nievez (Public Relations Officer)

PTK students have a 91 percent student success rate, and research has shown that strong presidential leadership and support of PTK increases member success and the depth of their college experience.

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 – Halema Bobby, a student at Reading Area Community College has been named a 2022 Coca-Cola Academic Team Bronze Scholar and will receive a $1,000 scholarship. 

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 to make it possible for more deserving students to achieve their educational goals and support tomorrow’s leaders of the global community.”

 “I am very proud of the hard work Helema 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.”

Coca-Cola Academic Team members will be recognized in both local and statewide ceremonies and will be recognized internationally during Phi Theta Kappa’s annual convention, PTK Catalyst, to be held in Denver, Colorado, April 7-9.

“We thank the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation for recognizing these student leaders and for investing in their futures,” said Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, President and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa. “Scholarships like these are integral to the success of these students in reaching their educational and career goals.”

About Phi Theta Kappa

Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is comprised of more than 3.8 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more about PTK at RACC, call 610.372.4721 ext. 5451.