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Reading Area Community College is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Michelle Reichard-Huff to its Board of Trustees. Dr. Reichard-Huff is the director of the Office of Early Childhood and Student Services. In 2004, she began working in the BCIU Early Intervention Program as a school psychologist.  She also served as supervisor of student services in early intervention, school-age special education, and alternative education for six years. In 2014, Michelle was appointed as the assistant director of the Office of Early Childhood and Student Services. She served in this role until her appointment to director in November 2017.
 
Michelle earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and her Educational Specialist degree in school psychology from Lehigh University.  She also completed her supervisory certification at Lehigh and obtained her superintendent’s letter of eligibility through California University of Pennsylvania. Michelle earned her doctorate in Education Administration and Leadership from the California University of Pennsylvania in July 2020. Her Reading Area Community College Board of Trustees term will be eligible for renewal in June, 2027.
 
Reading Area Community College Board of Trustees has also appointed Mr. Jack R. Gombach as the Chair of the Facilities & Risk Management Committee; and as a member of the Executive Committee. Mr. Gombach currently serves as a Government Affairs & Grassroots Advocacy Consultant. He also serves on the boards of the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance, and the Friends of the Reading Hospital. Jack received a Bachelor’s of Science in International Relations and Affairs from Albright College.

READING, PA – Reading Area Community College received $1 million to assist in the redesigning of Weitz Hall to renovate classroom and lab spaces for its health science programs. The grant was made possible by the Berks County Commissioners as part of an $18 million round of funding through the American Rescue Plan for community improvement projects.

The renovations to existing classrooms and labs are in response to not only local and regional, but also a national, need for expanded training for qualified healthcare workers in a variety of disciplines. Currently, the college offers associate degree programs in registered nursing, respiratory therapy, medical laboratory technician and a new histotechnician program. In addition to degree programs, the college offers a for-credit certificate practical nursing program and several short-term training programs such as home health aide and nurse’s aide. 

“This grant is critical to RACC’s ability to continue serving the community’s growing need for healthcare workers. We are grateful to the Berks County Commissioners for recognizing RACC’s ability to train and educate the future Berks County healthcare workforce,” says RACC President, Dr. Susan Looney.

While a definitive timeline has been established, the planning and design for the renovation project is in progress. To learn more about the health professions programs at Reading Area Community College, visit racc.edu/hp or call 610.607.6224.

Congratulations to 2022 RACC graduate Leisha Gonzalez!

Leisha is the mother of a five-year-old and was a proud work study of the RACC campus. Her parents left formal schooling in middle school, prompting Leisha to be vigilant in pursuing a higher education. At RACC, she found a family, found talented, committed faculty and staff who encouraged her in her studies and also in her personal life. She majored in secondary education as a result of her experiences during the height of the COVID19 pandemic-when she fell in love with tutoring her younger siblings while in quarantine.

“My journey at RACC has been amazing with meeting so many wonderful people and being able to experience so many different things on and off campus. My career goal is to eventually work in the Reading School District as a teacher assistant. I hope to teach students hearts and minds as both a confidant and as an educator,” says Leisha of her career goals after RACC.

Congratulations to Jamal Dancy. The first graduate spotlight of our RACC 2022 graduate success series!

Jamal Dancy is a criminal justice major and a first-generation college student. As a freshman at RACC, Jamal quickly became a well-known face around campus. As a Student Ambassador, vice-president of the Student Government Association, and treasurer of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, he immersed himself in student activities, while still developing leadership qualities through RACC’s National Society of Leadership and Success.

This fall, Jamal will be attending Alvernia University on a full scholarship to complete his bachelor’s degree. Upon graduating, he plans to work as a juvenile probation officer with inner city youth to guide them toward a better path in life. Ultimately, he wishes to further advance his education in law school-becoming a judge in juvenile court.

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.