FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

READING PA — Vice President of College Advancement and Executive Director of the Foundation at Reading Area Community College, Tony DeMarco, has been named a recipient of the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Distinguished College Administrator Award. Mr. DeMarco will be recognized during PTK Catalyst, Phi Theta Kappa’s annual international convention.

The Distinguished College Administrator Award recognizes college leaders who work directly with student leaders to strengthen campus communities and expand opportunities for student success. Honorees are nominated by Phi Theta Kappa student leaders.

“We are so grateful for Tony’s active participation in the leadership development of our Phi Theta Kappa students,” says Reading Area Community College President, Dr. Susan Looney. “His passionate support has not gone unnoticed by our students. He provides an excellent example of what it means to get involved with students beyond the classroom.”

At Reading Area Community College, DeMarco has demonstrated a deep and far-reaching commitment to student success through leadership that expands ccess, builds opportunity, and strengthens institutional support systems. His work has helped ensure that financial barriers, basic needs insecurity, and limited access to resources do not stand in the way of student achievement or persistence.

“Mr. DeMarco’s leadership is grounded in a deep belief that student success requires both opportunity and infrastructure,” said Phi Theta Kappa President and CEO Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner. “Students recognize him for the way he builds systems that support them — from scholarships and emergency assistance to facilities that expand career pathways. His work benefits students across his entire college.”

Through his leadership in college advancement and philanthropy, Mr. DeMarco has played a central role in providing the necessary resources that support student learning and engagement, wellbeing, and career readiness – both in and out of the classroom.

To be eligible for the Distinguished College Administrator Award, nominees must serve as a vice president, dean, or director at an institution with an active Phi Theta Kappa chapter, have at least three years of service in their current role, and be nominated by the student leaders of their chapter. Tony was selected from among thousands of eligible college administrators nationwide to receive this honor.

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

“We are so grateful for Tony’s active participation in the leadership development of our Phi Theta Kappa students,” says Reading Area Community College President, Dr. Susan Looney. “His passionate support has not gone unnoticed by our students. He provides an excellent example of what it means to get involved with students beyond the classroom.”

Reading, PA - Reading Area Community College was awarded $3.6 million from the Pennsylvania Department of Education to help fund capital projects that will improve campus life. The funding will be used to expand the student union and upgrade infrastructure.

RACC received $2.1 million for the expansion of its student union as well as $1.5 million for upgrades to its HVAC system.

“Pennsylvania’s community colleges offer affordable pathways for learners to pursue higher education, earn credentials, and enter the workforce on their own terms,” Secretary of Education Dr. Carrie Rowe said. “This funding ensures that our commonwealth’s community college campuses are safe, welcoming and state-of-the-art, creating flexible and innovative 21st century learning environments for all students.”

RACC was one of 13 community colleges that received funding through the state to renovate or build facilities. The purpose of the funding is to help fund short-term and long-term debt service projects, capital leases and cash capital projects.

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

Reading PA—The Foundation for Reading Area Community College (RACC) is delighted to announce that Mid Penn Bank has donated $4,500 under the Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program. Mid Penn Bank joins the Foundation for RACC’s mission to augment and enhance the college’s ability to offer affordable, quality educational opportunities to the community through RACC’s Dual Enrollment Program.

A check presentation was held on the RACC campus with RACC President, Dr. Susan Looney, Mid Penn Bank Vice President Doug Smith, Executive Director of the Foundation for RACC Tony DeMarco and Mid Penn Bank Relationship Manager Rochelle Gray.

Dr. Looney, commended Mid Penn for their EITC gift, “High school students throughout Berks County will be inspired by this important gift for those looking to find the funding to continue their education or enter the workforce after high school.”

Doug Smith and the Mid Penn leadership were excited to help Berks County students start their college education through RACC’s Dual Enrollment program. He noted, “Mid Penn Bank is a passionate supporter of our Berks County institutes of Higher Education. Berks County is a vital part of our bank and we believe in giving back.”

“RACC is so grateful to our friends at Mid Penn Bank. With this EITC gift, Mid Penn Bank will open the door to a college education for those ambitious high school students looking to start their journey to college,” said Tony DeMarco, Executive Director of the Foundation. “The cost of higher education remains the greatest obstacle for thousands of families. EITC gifts provides high school students with an affordable path to a college degree.”

Reading Area Community College is an accredited, comprehensive, open enrollment education institution that provides the following: Associate degree, Certificate and Diploma Programs; career-focused training; transitional coursework; skills training for business and industry; personal enrichment programs and public service activities. Sponsored by Berks County, the College provides affordable access to meet identified community educational needs.

About Mid Penn Bank: For more than 150 years, Mid Penn Bank has been a staple of the community. Originally founded in 1868 as The Millersburg Trust Company in Millersburg, Pennsylvania, Mid Penn Bank has expanded over the years from a small community bank to a comprehensive financial services company operating in diverse markets across the state. Our assets have grown to approximately $5 billion and Mid Penn Bancorp, Inc., the parent company of Mid Penn Bank, is publicly traded on Nasdaq under the symbol MPB. Despite our growth, when you visit one of our convenient Financial Center locations, connect with us online, or speak to a representative in our customer service center, you will see that our top priority is building relationships with our customers. Our commitment to making our community a better place to live, work, raise a family, and run a business is steadfast.

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

Zachery “Zach” Stackhouse graduated from Governor Mifflin High School in 2014. There, he was able to complete several dual enrollment courses through RACC for college credits, which allowed him to jumpstart his pursuit of a higher education. His mother graduated from RACC in 1989 and spoke highly of her experience, which provided her with a local and affordable education.

With his mother’s experience in mind, Zach applied for and received a RACC Presidential Scholarship.

Through this scholarship, he was awarded two years of tuition, which allowed him to focus on his studies instead of financing his education. Zach graduated from RACC in 2016 with an Associate’s Degree in Social Science.

After graduating from RACC, he continued his educational journey at Kutztown University, where he earned multiple degrees. A BA in History ('18), M.Ed. in Secondary Education ('20), and a M.Ed. in Student Affairs in Higher Education ('24). During this time, Zach discovered that higher education was the perfect career for him.

“While working as a part-time advisor in the Student Success Center at RACC, I had the opportunity to apply to and obtain a full-time position as Accessibility Services Coordinator/Academic Intervention Specialist. I have been in this position since June of 2024. I enjoy the ability to work amongst many of the wonderful faculty and staff who helped me as a student. This is a fulfilling career because I am able to help students through their educational journey where I have walked in similar shoes,” Zach says.

READING, PA — Reading Area Community College’s Nursing Program has been ranked number two in Pennsylvania by RegisteredNursing.org in their 10th annual rankings of the best nursing schools for 2026.

This recognition shines a spotlight on the dedication, expertise, and passion of the outstanding nursing faculty and staff. Their commitment to academic excellence, hands-on training, and student support has created one of the top nursing programs in the state. Most importantly, it reflects the hard work of RACC students, who graduate fully prepared to begin their nursing careers with confidence and compassion.

Pennsylvania has more than 80 approved public and private nursing programs, offering a wide range of degrees from Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) certificates to doctoral degrees, with sources indicating 84 institutions offering associate's or certificate programs and 63 offering bachelor's degrees.

The outlook for nurses in Pennsylvania is promising, with projections showing a steady demand for nursing professionals in the coming years. Choosing the right nursing school is crucial for aspiring healthcare professionals. 

Registerednursing.org has developed comprehensive rankings of the Best Nursing Schools in Pennsylvania, focusing exclusively on NCLEX pass rates as the primary evaluation metric. These rankings help students identify top-performing programs that maximize their chances of successfully completing the NCLEX licensure exam.

RACC’s Associate Degree Nursing Program provides an exceptional pathway for future nurses, boasting impressive NCLEX pass rates consistently near 100% in recent years. The comprehensive two-year program offers flexible day and evening class schedules, emphasizing hands-on clinical experiences and advanced simulation labs. 

“I want to extend heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to the faculty and staff of the nursing program for this well-deserved honor. Their efforts not only elevate RACC but also strengthen the healthcare community across our region,” says RACC President, Dr. Susan Looney.

Students benefit from rigorous coursework covering essential nursing processes, patient care techniques, and professional skill development. The curriculum is strategically designed to prepare graduates for immediate entry-level nursing positions and smooth transitions into RN-BSN programs. Admission requires a high school diploma or GED, completion of prerequisite courses, and successful navigation of a selective admission process. With experienced faculty and strong clinical affiliates in the Reading area, students receive robust preparation for their nursing careers.

The features of RACC’s Associate Degree Nursing Program include:

• Day and evening class options
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN exam
• Hands-on clinical experiences
• Simulation labs
• Easy transfer to RN-BSN programs
• Experienced faculty support
• Clinical affiliates in Reading area
• High school diploma or GED required
• Prerequisite courses needed
• Selective admission process

To learn more about career opportunities in nursing at RACC, visit racc.edu/academics/nursing-program, or contact an enrollment specialist at admissions@racc.edu, 610.607.6224.

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