Reading, PA – The Foundation for Reading Area Community College has received a generous $7,000 donation from First Priority Bank, a division of Mid Penn Bank. This contribution will support Reading Area Community College (RACC)’s Dual Enrollment/Pathway Programs. Under the RACC Dual Enrollment Program, current high school students can begin their post-secondary education and start earning college credits from multiple programs at the college. RACC has collaborated with seventeen area high schools to offer college credit for college-level courses students take at their high school. The courses taught at the high school must cover the same competencies as courses taught at RACC.

“With the average student debt around $30,000, we continue to offer solutions for our students to manage their college debt, save time, and better prepare them for the expectations of college-level course work. Even during these uncertain times, what is best for the students is at the center of everything we do,” says RACC President Dr. Susan D. Looney.

Mid Penn Bancorp Inc., headquartered in Millersburg, Pennsylvania, has been serving the community since 1868. Mid Penn has 39 retail locations in the state of Pennsylvania and total assets of more than $2 billion. Its footprint includes Berks, Bucks, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Fayette, Lancaster, Luzerne, Montgomery, Northumberland, Schuylkill and Westmoreland counties. The bank offers a comprehensive portfolio of products and services to meet the banking needs of the communities it serves. To learn more about Mid Penn Bank, visit www.midpennbank.com.

To learn more about the Dual Enrollment/Pathway Programs at RACC, call 610.607.5127. To learn more about giving opportunities with The Foundation for Reading Area Community College, call contact foundation@racc.edu or 610-607-6239.

Dr. Beth Brady was born and raised in Berks County. After high school she enrolled in RACC’s nursing program. However, it did not take her long to discover her true passion. “Although I initially went to school to be an RN, after a few years of nursing, I realized I desired to learn more about marine biology.”

Dr. Brady graduated from RACC with an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree and worked as a nurse while returning to school to obtain her bachelor’s degree at Kutztown University. “RACC provided me with such a solid foundation that I was able to gain discipline in the field of nursing and continue my education.”

While obtaining her undergraduate degree in marine biology, Dr. Brady returned to RACC to take advanced science classes that transferred seamlessly to Kutztown. The small classes at RACC were very beneficial to Dr. Brady. “This was instrumental to me as I was intimidated in my chemistry and physics classes. At RACC, I was able to connect with my instructors and have more individualized instruction.”

After graduating from Kutztown, Dr. Brady volunteered with multiple marine mammal and wildlife organizations. “I found my love of manatees through an extended internship at Florida Fish and Wildlife.” Dr. Brady completed her master’s degree at Nova Southeastern University and her doctorate from Florida Atlantic University.

Dr. Brady has researched the vocalizations of manatees in their aquatic environments. In addition to manatees, Dr. Brady has also studied the vocalizations of dolphins, whales and even attempted alligators.

Looking back at her time at RACC, Dr. Brady credits the exceptional instruction she received from the faculty that started her on her educational journey. In fact, Dr. Brady has in turn become an adjunct instructor herself at Broward College and Colorado Technical University. “The faculty at RACC was extremely helpful in my success.”

Students and families can now sign-up now for Keystone Virtual College Exploration - the only virtual college and career event for all Pennsylvania high school students.

RACC is proud to be presenting on October 6 and 27.

There are more than 300 sessions from which to choose including local, national, and international colleges and universities; skilled trades, career exploration, financial aid and scholarship organizations and non-college training programs. Attend as many sessions as you want. 

How does it work?

Attend FREE 45 minute virtual sessions on a variety of college and career topics via individual Zoom links. Session options include individual college, career and trade information sessions as well as panel sessions composed of multiple organizations. 

Who is invited?

• High school students
• Families and counselors

Virtual sessions take place October 1 – November 6 with times varying, mostly weekdays, afternoon/evening, and select Sundays.

All sessions secure--your information will only be shared with the college/organization for which you register.

What is covered?

Sessions cover topics such as how to apply to college, essay writing tips, high demand career fields, skilled trades, non-college options, financial aid, scholarships, college student life, and more. Watch, learn, and get your questions answered about academics, athletics, diversity, study abroad, and other topics.

Register for EVERY session of interest and you will receive a ZOOM link to the session. Then log in to your session using your phone or computer. Can’t make the live session? No problem--go ahead and register for the session and then view the session recording at your convenience.

Parents are invited too. Simply register with your student’s information. 

Don't miss this opportunity to learn, connect, ask questions, and discover your best college and career fit and how to finance it.

Reading, PA-August 14 2020 – Reading Area Community College (RACC) is proud to announce the promotion of Ms. Dolores Peterson to vice president of fiscal and human resources. Peterson previously held the position of associate vice president for finance and administrative services/controller since joining RACC in 2001.

Prior to joining RACC, Dory served in a wide variety of professional capacities in the market research, retail, and entertainment industries before pursuing her love of education and joining RACC.

“This promotion is a recognition of Dory’s outstanding contributions and her ability to lead important initiatives at RACC during the past 19 years. She has dedicated almost two decades to envisioning and implementing innovative financial and human resources services and systems that not only meet the RACC strategic goals, but most importantly enhance the lives of employees and students,” says RACC Senior Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services, Ken Dearstyne. “We look forward to the continued leadership that Dory will bring to this critical role.”

A Philadelphia native, Dolores earned her bachelor's degree from Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science (now Thomas Jefferson University), and her Master of Business Administration from Villanova University. She is an active member and certified professional of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM-CP).

“Dory’s promotion is well deserved. Her experience in financial management and leadership, as well as her passion for making RACC a better institution for everyone, will continue to be an outstanding asset to our organization,” says RACC President Dr. Susan Looney.

An avid hiker, Dory volunteers as a trail maintainer on the Appalachian Trail under the auspices of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and the Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club.

Reading, PA-August 7, 2020 – Reading Area Community College has been awarded a $252,000 grant from the Early Childhood Professional Development Organization at the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education for this academic year. The funds will cover tuition costs for Early Childhood Education students who are employed in Department of Human Services-licensed childcare centers and meet the eligibility requirements.

RACC’s Early Childhood Education pathway allows traditional students, high school career technology students, and incumbent workforce students the opportunity to begin to work incrementally along the PA ECE Career Pathway. This pathway, a model for the state, has been designed to support the educational needs of all students who desire to work with young children, starting as early as high school through the Career Technology Center’s Teacher Academy and earn nested credentials, such as the Child Development Associate Certificate (CDA). RACC’s AAS then transfers seamlessly to a BSED (Pre-k-Grade 4 teaching certification) at Kutztown University (KU).

For more information about enrolling in Early Childhood Education Pathway, contact the Early Childhood office 610-372-4721 x5263 for the ECE Scholar application.