Reading PA, November 6, 2024 – Reading Area Community College (RACC) has been named a top ten finalist for the 2024 Bellwether Award in the category of Planning, Governance, and Finance.

The Bellwether Award is one of the most prestigious community college awards in the nation. The competition and selection process brings a level of excellence that demonstrates the innovate spirit and results-driven mindset that exists among the finest community colleges.

RACC’s submission, “Driving Enrollment: Bringing the College Registration Process into the High Schools” showcases RACC’s innovative initiatives of inserting the college admissions process into high schools; ensuring a smooth enrollment transition for the student by providing a seamless transfer from the high school guidance counselor to college admissions counselor, and then to a RACC academic advisor.

“Meeting students in their school environment rather than having them come to campus is a critical aspect of recruitment for the students in our community,” says RACC Director of Admissions and Enrollment Services, Kathy Cunningham, M.Ed. “It also strengthens RACC’s presence in the high school while ensuring the school guidance office is engaged with the college,” she adds.

The Bellwether College Consortium is comprised of award-winning colleges charged with addressing critical issues facing community colleges and recognizing best practices. RACC won the Bellwether Award in 2024 in the category of Instructional Programs and Services. 

“I am so proud of the incredible work done by our admissions and advising staff to continue improving processes to better serve our high school students,” says RACC President Dr. Susan Looney. “Being recognized as a Bellwether finalist for the third year in a row, further validates my belief that RACC’s faculty and staff are among the best in the country.”

Annually, the Bellwether Consortium nominates 30 community colleges finalists from a large group of applicants in the United States and its territories. The selected colleges compete for one of three Bellwether Awards. A rigorous selection process with two rounds of judging by peers and academicians in the field culminates with a daylong event of presentations by contenders for the Bellwether Award. 

Finalists will participate in the final round of the Bellwether Award competition at the 31th Annual Community College Futures Assembly to be held Sunday, February 23 through Tuesday, February 25, at the Menger Hotel in San Antonio, Texas.

David Hessen
Director of Marketing & Communications
Reading Area Community College
610.607.6212
dhessen@racc.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Reading PA, September 30, 2024 – Excelencia in Education announced that Reading Area Community College (RACC)’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Program has been selected as one of the 2024 Examples of Excelencia. This program joins three others from across the country that represent what is possible when higher education institutions and organizations intentionally serve Latino students on their journey to and through college. Programs recognized by Excelencia in Education implement culturally relevant, evidence-based practices that strengthen the skills and needs of their students and surrounding communities. 

Since 2012, the RACC EAP Program has extended two branches of support: a standardized curricular program and comprehensive tutoring in the Academic Literacy and Learning (ALL) Center. EAP enrolls approximately 200 students per year from up to 50 language backgrounds. The ALL Center, a technology-equipped study and tutoring space, is open 33 hours per week in fall and spring terms, with an average of 1,302 student visits each academic year since 2020. EAP has also evolved to offer paid professional development to faculty/staff and host recruiting visits from high schools. In both curricula and tutoring, the faculty/staff address the needs of multilingual learners of English by developing familial relationships, offering individualized instruction and coaching, providing safe spaces to use English, practicing academic empathy, and considering how students’ cultural values influence their learning.

“I am so proud of the work that Associate Professors Crystal Schilthuis and Eleisha Moreno have done to improve the outcomes for our students. Their work in developing the EAP Program has dismantled barriers for multilingual learners at RACC and has empowered our linguistically diverse students to succeed in college courses while building their confidence and sense of belonging,” says RACC President Dr. Susan Looney.

Each year, four Examples of Excelencia are selected from the associate, baccalaureate, graduate, and community-based organization levels for their intentionality and evidence of effectiveness in positively impacting Latino students. The 2024 Examples emerged from 345 nominations from 40 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, 103 program submissions, and 18 finalists.  

David Hessen
Director of Marketing and Communications
Reading Area Community College
610.607.6212
dhessen@racc.edu

from Reading Area Community College - Read the full article here

The Chairman of the Board for the Foundation for Reading Area Community College (RACC), Gary Moyer, and the Executive Director of the Foundation, Anthony DeMarco, are proud to announce that four Berk County community leaders have recently joined the Foundation Board for RACC as the organization takes its place among the strongest nonprofit organizations in the Mid-Atlantic region. The Foundation for RACC was named the Outstanding Foundation by the Association of Fundraising Professionals in 2022.

Kelsey Frankowski Esq., Dr. Charles Barbera, Gary Rightmire, and RACC Student Representative Latisha Kelly were elected unanimously to serve the Foundation.

“The Foundation for RACC continues to build a powerful Board befitting the largest institute of higher education in Berks County,” said DeMarco. “We are thrilled to welcome such influential leaders as Kelsey, Dr. Barbera, Gary, and Latisha as we continue our work to support our community’s college.”

RACC President, Dr. Susan Looney added, “One of the great honors in my role as president of Reading Area Community College is serving on the Foundation Board for RACC. Kelsey, Dr. Barbera, Gary, and Latisha will be superb advocates as we work together to ensure that every student committed to graduating RACC can do so.”

Kelsey Frankowski

Kelsey Frankowski is a partner in the law firm of Plank-Frankowski and focuses her practice on real estate, corporate/business, municipal, civil litigation, trusts/estates, and family law. She is a native of Berks County and a graduate of Oley Valley High School. Kelsey attended Albright College for her undergraduate work and earned her law degree at Duquesne University School of Law.

Kelsey is currently a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association and a very involved member of the Berks County Bar Association. She currently serves on the Reading Public Library Foundation Board and is a co-chair of the Reading Public Library’s Cocktails & Classics Committee.

Dr. Charles Barbera

Charles F. Barbera, MD, MBA, MPH, FACEP, is president and CEO of Reading Hospital. He joined Reading Hospital in 1996 and became the Chair of Emergency Medicine in 1999, a position he held for more than 20 years. Dr. Barbera was key in the creation and accreditation of Reading Hospital’s Trauma Center. He currently oversees the administrative, clinical, and operational functions of Reading Hospital, Berks County’s tertiary care academic medical center.

Dr. Barbera is the immediate past Chair of the Pennsylvania Trauma System Foundation Board and is a member of the Gift of Life Medical Advisory and Policy Board. He previously served as the president of the Pennsylvania College of Emergency Physicians and the Berks County Medical Society and on the boards of the Autism Society of Berks County, the American Heart Association, and the Children’s Home of Reading.

He received his Doctor of Medicine from Temple University School of Medicine, his Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Arts from LaSalle University, his Master’s in Business Administration from Alvernia University, and his Master’s in Public Health from The George Washington University.

Gary Rightmire

Gary Rightmire moves to the Foundation Board for RACC after two distinguished terms as the Chairman of the RACC Board of Trustees, a time of unprecedented growth for the college. Gary is a longtime Berks County community leader serving as a founding member and Chair of the Berks Community Health Center Board. Gary was the Chairman of the Berks County Senior Citizens Council (Berks Encore) and two-term Chair of the State Association of the Pennsylvania Association of Public Welfare Directors. Gary also served on the Berks Community Television Board of Directors and Chair of the Administrative Committee.

The United States Department of Agriculture named Gary to several national committees, where he presented on the nationwide rollout of Electronic Benefit Transfer Technology in the Food Stamp Program. Gary was also a Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture’s Task Force member on Statewide Implementation of Electronic Benefit Transfer Technology.

Latisha Kelly

Latisha Kelly has been named the RACC Student Representative for the 2024/2025 Academic Year. Latisha is the Vice President of the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society and currently has a 3.8 Grade Point Average, majoring in Addiction Studies/Human Services. Latisha returned to college after raising her eight children as a single mother. Upon earning her Associate’s Degree, Latisha will pursue her Bachelor’s Degree and eventually work as a counselor, helping those suffering from addiction issues while working on prevention measures.

READING PA - The Berks County Latino Chamber of Commerce honored Reading Area Community College (RACC) President Dr. Susan Looney with the 2024 President’s Merit Award at a gala held at First Energy Stadium in Reading, PA on Saturday, September 14. This award exemplifies the leadership, dedication and contributions to the academic and broader community displayed by Dr. Looney in her role as president.

The gala is a highlight of the Berks County Latino Chamber of Commerce year; bringing together business leaders, community advocates, and individuals committed to the growth and prosperity of the Latino community in Berks County.

Berks County Latino Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Josephine Torres-Boykins says, “We are incredibly proud to have Dr. Looney as a member of our chamber and to witness the remarkable advancements and success the college has achieved under her guidance. Her tireless work and dedication to education and community service embodies the spirit of the President’s Merit Award.”

“I am honored to receive such a prestigious award from an organization that does so much for the people in our communities, such as the Berks County Latino Chamber of Commerce. While I am the person accepting the award, the trophy really honors the faculty and staff of the college, who do a tremendous job every day to educate and better the lives of our students,” says Dr. Looney. “As I am fond of saying every day, I am very #RACCProud!”

The Latino Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit group founded in 2003 to offer leadership and support for the Latino business community in greater Reading and Berks.

With great sadness we announce the passing of Dr. Gust Zogas, age 93, on August 25th, 2024. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Doris (PasYotis) on the same day eight years prior. They were fortunate to share 60 wonderful years together. Born in Reading, PA to Greek immigrants, Harry and Maria (Kypriotis) Zogas, Gust grew up in a small row home in Northeast Reading. After graduating from Reading High School he served in the U.S. Army in the Korean War. Upon his return home, he met and married Doris and started his higher education journey. Although self-described as not book smart, he obtained a PhD in Education. He frequently advised his children and grandchildren that hard work leads to success. He was very proud they all went on to pursue college degrees. Gust wore many hats in the field of education: Geography teacher, Guidance counselor, Vice Principal, Director of Night School at Reading Area School District, Dean of Students and most notably, President for 17 years at Reading Area Community College, restructuring and growing the college immensely. After retirement, he obtained the title of President Emeritus, and joined the foundation for RACC serving as Executive Director. In 2023, he was awarded the distinguished Rolf D. Schmidt Honorary Director award. He came out of retirement to serve as Executive Director of the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, an organization he was passionate about. He cared deeply about his home town and served on various boards throughout his career. Gust was active in his church, Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Reading, PA. He served on the board for a time, and volunteered for many years at the annual Church Food Bazaar. Gust and Doris were world travelers, instilling the love for adventure in their children and grandchildren. However, their true love was the sun and sand of Stone Harbor, NJ and Sanibel, FL, where most of their time was spent. Many fond memories were created hosting family and friends. He was proud to share what he had with those he loved. He immensely enjoyed when family and friends would come by for a glass of wine and conversation. Although a dedicated educator, administrator, visionary and friend, "Dad" and "Popou" are the two titles for which he will be most remembered. He is survived by his children, son Thomas, husband of Linda (Sweger) Zogas, Lower Heidelberg Township, daughter Chrissada, wife of Kevin Caruso, Wyomissing, and daughter Elaynee, wife of Blaise Polentes, Bethlehem. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Elise, Chloe, Alexander, Brian, Jack and Natasha, who will miss him very much. Also surviving are his brother Christ, widower of Irene (Maronic), Roanoke, VA, and Theodore, husband of Sylvia (Zielinski), Reading. He was predeceased by his brother Peter, and sister-in-law Clarise (Crocona) Zogas. Gust also was predeceased by his half-sisters Effie (Pasko) Stevens and Elizabeth (Pasko) Rogers. Services will take place on Friday, August 30, 2024 at in Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 1001 E. Wyomissing Blvd., Reading PA 19611. Viewing 10am, Funeral Service 11am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Reading Area Community College Foundation or the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts. RACC: https://form.jotform.com/63195864544163 Click on the "Other" Box and specify either the "Zogas RHS to RACC Scholarship" or "The Gust & Doris Zogas Education Scholarship" A gift can be sent through the mail to – Foundation for RACC, Reading Area Community College 10 South 2nd Street, Box 1706, Reading, PA 19603 GoggleWorks Center for the Arts https://goggleworks.org/support/donate/ Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc. West Reading is honored to assist the Zogas family. Condolences may be expressed at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.