Reading, PA-Judith Croteau a student at Reading Area Community College (RACC) has been named a 2019 Coca-Cola Academic Team Silver Scholar and will receive a $1,250 scholarship.

After relocating to Reading from Las Vegas Nevada, Croteau has received her Associate of Science in business management, Associate of Arts transfer in business administration, and plans to graduate with an Associate of Science in accounting from RACC in May, 2019.

"My goal is to return to RACC and teach. A very special thank you to my RACC Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Advisors Dr. Danelle Bower, and Dr. Donna Singleton; and Coca Cola. This scholarship is one more step on my path to a bachelor's degree and then a master's degree. My next stop is Kutztown University. I am incredibly blessed and excited," says Judith.

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 and make it possible for deserving students to achieve their educational goals."

"I am very proud of the hard work Judith 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."

Students are nominated for the academic team by their college administrators. Selection is based on academic achievement, leadership, and engagement in college and community service.

Coca-Cola Academic Team members will be recognized in both local and statewide ceremonies and will also be recognized internationally during Phi Theta Kappa's annual convention, PTK Catalyst, April 4-6 in Orlando, Florida.

To learn more about developing leadership potential through participation in Phi Theta Kappa programs at RACC, contact Danelle Bower at 610.372.4721.

RACC’s new quarterly print and digital publication ALIVE features timely news and events about RACC students, faculty, staff, programs and workforce development. Each issue of ALIVE illustrates RACC’s commitment to enhancing the educational and economic vitality of Berks County and its residents.

View the premier issue of ALIVE

Reading, PA, December 6, 2018 – The Practical Nursing Program of Reading Area Community College celebrated its Commencement on Thursday, December 6, 2018 at 4PM in the Miller Center for the Arts on the Reading Area Community College campus.

A total of 22 students received Certificates in Practical Nursing. During the past 25 years, RACC has graduated more than 900 students through the Practical Nurse Program, which then makes them eligible to sit for the PA State Board of Nursing Licensing Exam. Students in the 2018 graduating class are: Angelica Baczyski, Ashley Baker, Shelly Boltz, Carissa Carr-Emmel, Fabienne Coulanges, Lauren DeAcosta, Rebecca Deets, Cindy DeLosSantos, Catteline Edmond, Yamilette Figueroa-Rosario, Shannon Hertzog, Michel Hidalgo, Jacklyn Hightower, Hannah Martin, Monica Martinez, Henry Michel, Jr. , Beena Patel, Wilfri Peña-Rodriguez, Rachel Reightneour , Diana Robinson, Jesus Tavarez-Rodriguez, Margaret Yamah.

Awards were given to students who excelled academically and exhibited outstanding clinical performance throughout the Practical Nursing Program. The Frances Troutman Award for Nursing Excellence was given to Henry Michel Jr. The Award for Outstanding Performance and Nursing Professionalism was given to Wilfri Peña-Rodriquez. The Country Meadows Award for Academics and Leadership was given to Hannah Martin.

Congratulations to the Class of 2018. Good luck in your nursing career.

Reading, PA – Reading Area Community College is pleased to announce that Huascar S. Rivera has recently been appointed to the Board of Trustees for the college by the Berks County Board of Commissioners.

Rivera is presently employed as the vice president of WSK & Associates, a security consulting company based in Wyomissing, PA. He is a retired Deputy Commissioner of Administration and Professional Responsibility for the Pennsylvania State Police with 25 years of service.

As Deputy Commissioner he oversaw operations of the Bureau of Professional Responsibility, Training and Education, Human Resources, and Member Assistance Program. Having held multiple ranks from Trooper to Lieutenant Colonel, he served in the following positions: Area Commander, Director of the Bureau of Communications and Information Services, Troop Commander, Emergency Planning and Preparedness Officer, Section Commander, Station Commander, and Criminal Investigator.  

During his tenure he also established the Commonwealth’s Risk Vulnerability Assessment Team. He also held responsibilities under the Office of Domestic Security for the development of Emergency Response Policies and was the State Police liaison officer to the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.

Rivera graduated from the Pennsylvania State Police Academy in Hershey, PA. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy, 213th Session, and holds an AAS in Criminal Justice from Reading Area Community College.

Reading Area Community College president Dr. Susan D. Looney, and Northampton Community College president Dr. Mark H. Erickson sign a cooperative agreement which will provide affordable and accessible training for respiratory care therapists and medical laboratory technicians in Berks and Lehigh Counties.