Reading, PA, June 7, 2021 – Reading Area Community College (RACC) along with its valued partners, Pennsylvania State University (PSU), Berks County Career and Technology Center (BCTC) and Reading Muhlenberg Career Technology Center (RMCTC) have signed articulation agreements that result in a 2+2+2 engineering pathway. 

Career and technology center students enrolled in the Technical Academy Mechatronics/Engineering Automation Programs can earn up to 25 credits toward a RACC Associate of Science (AS) in engineering prior to graduating high school. The AS in Engineering transfers to a Bachelor of Science in Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology or Mechanical Engineering at Pennsylvania State University-Berks Campus.

This integrated pathway involves early and intensive advising for high school students seeking to earn an ABET-accredited engineering degree and also want hands-on experience offered by the CTC and the Schmidt Training and Technology Center. Faculty from both RACC and Penn State Berks discussed curricular changes needed for RACC’s AS in Engineering, even sharing syllabi and discussing in-depth learning outcomes in order to help create a seamless pathway.  

“RACC is very fortunate to have deeply connected K12 and university partners that continue to improve our transfer pathways in order to provide students of Berks County access to an affordable college education,” says RACC President Dr. Susan Looney.

To learn more about partnership pathway programs at RACC, please contact Director of Community and Academic Partnerships, Kristen Marcinko at kmarcinko@racc.edu.

Reading, PA, Wednesday, May 12, 2021 – Tompkins VIST Bank today announced that it has donated $5,000 to the Foundation at Reading Area Community College under the Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program.  The donation is part of the $301,250 the bank has currently earmarked for youth education organizations that qualify under EITC.

Tompkins VIST Bank President and CEO Scott Gruber and Executive Vice President Gary Moyer were present at check ceremony. “In my work with RACC, I’ve been impressed with their focus on educational outreach,” said Moyer, vice chair of the foundation, which provides scholarships to disadvantaged youth in the community. “We’re pleased to support their efforts.”

Dr. Susan Looney, president of RACC commended the value of EITC. “The EITC program is a great way to inspire high school students to continue their education or enter the workforce after high school,” she said.

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.

Tompkins VIST Bank, a subsidiary of Tompkins Financial Corporation, is a locally headquartered community bank with 19 branches serving southeastern Pennsylvania.  The bank offers personalized service, local decision-making and a broad range of services for consumers and businesses. These include cash management, commercial loans, and an online business loan application process. Insurance and wealth management services are provided through the Pennsylvania offices of Tompkins Insurance and Tompkins Financial Advisors. Whether you prefer branch or remote mobile banking, we provide the breadth of services and local decision-making to make what’s possible a reality. Locally Focused. A World of Possibilities. More information.

Reading, PA, Friday, May 7, 2021 – Reading Area Community College celebrated its 49th Commencement on Friday, May 7 at Santander Arena. Approximately 800 students graduated from their degree, certificate or diploma programs this year.

Carolína Hidalgo-Ahmed was this year’s student speaker. She was born in San Francisco de Macorís, República Dominicana. At the age of four, she immigrated to the United States with her mother to join her father, who had immigrated to the US a few years earlier. She grew up in the boroughs of New York City, first on the Lower East Side and later Washington Heights, a community known for its rich Dominican diaspora culture. She will continue her education at Millersville University to earn her Bachelor in Social Work (BSW). Carolina is currently working on starting a non-profit organization, PÉCAN The HONE Initiative, which focuses on hands-on nutrition education for children who qualify for free or reduced lunch in Berks County.

RACC President, Dr. Susan D. Looney presented this year’s President’s Award to Berks County entrepreneur, business mogul and philanthropist Rolf Schmidt. Schmidt immigrated to the United States in 1957. His subsequent years in America were filled with business and personal success, which extended beyond the conventional boundaries of those measured by the typical American dream. Rolf’s commitment to educational excellence culminated in the establishment of the Schmidt Training and Technology Center. The center was named in his honor and opened in the spring of 2006. Rolf has been a leader of the Board of the Foundation for Reading Area Community College for thirty years. Rolf’s service to the Foundation started in 1991 and Rolf’s remarkable philanthropy to RACC is only part of his importance as one of the greatest figures in the history of the college.

“This year, especially, it is a privilege and a joy to see so many graduates persevere and take this step toward great success in the years ahead. Our students and graduates continue to inspire me every day, and will continue to make the RACC family of faculty, staff, students and alumni very proud,” Looney stated.

Reading, PA, Tuesday, April 12, 2021 – Reading Area Community College (RACC) President, Dr. Susan D. Looney and Susquehanna University President Jonathan D. Green, signed a transfer agreement that will offer guaranteed admission to Susquehanna University for RACC associate degree graduates to pursue their bachelor’s degree.

RACC students who submit a letter of intent to enter Susquehanna prior to completing 30 transferable credit hours will have the following benefits: guaranteed admission into a bachelor’s degree program with third-year (junior) status at Susquehanna upon completion of their Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree; eligibility for an academic scholarship from Susquehanna of up to $31,000 per year based on their RACC grade point average at the time of application; and eligibility for an additional $5,000 scholarship from Susquehanna per year if students are members of Phi Theta Kappa honor society.

RACC students who do not sign a letter of intent will still be eligible for an academic scholarship of up to $31,000 per year based on their RACC grade point average.

“RACC is committed to creating partnerships that encourage students to complete their associate degree before transferring,” says Dr. Looney. “Our graduates are highly valued by our college and university partners, and we are excited that Susquehanna University has committed to a seamless transfer to their bachelor’s degree programs.”

“A college education continues to be a sound investment for any individual who is preparing for a prosperous future,” says President Green. “We look forward to ensuring a smooth transition for RACC graduates who come to Susquehanna to complete their bachelor’s degree in preparation for an even brighter future.”

Reading Area Community College is an accredited, comprehensive, open-enrollment education institution that provides associate degree and certificate programs with ten programs offered fully online; workforce and career-focused training; transitional coursework; personal enrichment programs and public service activities. Sponsored by Berks County, the College provides affordable access to meet identified community educational needs.

Susquehanna, a liberal arts university, focuses on intellectual development, global competence and career success. Susquehanna offers a nationally recognized study-abroad program and more than 100 majors and minors in business, humanities, arts and sciences. Students develop critical thinking, writing, teamwork and communication skills, which, combined with internships and research opportunities, prepare them for a lifetime of personal and professional success. Small classes enable faculty members to serve as mentors, as well as teachers. Ninety-six percent of Susquehanna students are employed or in graduate or professional school within six months of graduation.

Reading Area Community College Receives $20,000 from Customers Bank

Funds Support Local High School Students Earning College Credits

WEST READING, PA. (March 15, 2021) – On Friday, March 12, 2021, Richard Ehst, President and Chief Executive Officer of Customers Bank, and Dr. Susan Looney, President of Reading Area Community College, participated in a check presentation ceremony acknowledging Customers Bank's contribution of $20,000 to Reading Area Community College. The funds provided by the bank will be used to create scholarships for dual-enrollment high school students that are earning early college credits.

Reading Area Community College has relationships with other colleges that enable the college credits earned through the dual enrollment program to easily transfer to other universities. Students enrolled in the program are able to reduce the length of time in college and significantly impact the increasing cost of higher education.

"Reading Area Community College has established an excellent program that rewards high achieving students, which aligns with our values and the importance we place on continuing education," stated Ehst. "Regardless of whether you are currently in school, starting your career or have years of experience, furthering your education greatly impacts your potential earnings, so we are very pleased to support programs and organizations focused on helping members of the community improve themselves."

Enrolled students save time and money by earning both high school and college credits simultaneously as they complete most of their general education courses. High school students also enhance their college applications by providing a college transcript with completed courses.

"We are very grateful for the generous support of Customers Bank, which helps enable us to offer early college programs, including dual enrollment," stated Dr. Looney. "Since 1995, more than 6,200 high school students have participated in our dual enrollment program, earning over 49,000 transferrable college credits. Approximately 82 percent of students who complete at least one dual enrollment course with us go directly on to college."

Currently, sixteen Berks County high schools participate in the program. Students earning college credits most frequently further their education at Penn State University, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, Alvernia University, Albright College, Millersville University, West Chester University of Pennsylvania, Shippensburg University, Temple University, Bloomberg University and the University of Pittsburgh.   

To learn more about Reading Area Community College's dual enrollment program or other early college programs, contact the guidance counselor at your student's high school. 

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About Customers Bank

Customers Bank, a subsidiary of Customers Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE:CUBI) a bank holding company, is a full-service super-community bank with assets of approximately $18.4 billion at December 31, 2020. A member of the Federal Reserve System with deposits insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Customers Bank is an equal opportunity lender that provides a range of banking and lending services to small and medium-sized businesses, professionals, individuals and families. Services and products are available wherever permitted by law through digital-first apps, online portals, and a network of offices and branches. Additional information can be found on the company's website, www.customersbank.com.

About Reading Area Community College

Reading Area Community College is an accredited, comprehensive, open-enrollment education institution that provides 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.

Photo Caption:

From Left to Right:

AnNette Hines, Director of Cultural Advancement at Customers Bank, Richard Ehst, President and Chief Executive Officer of Customers Bank, and Dr. Susan Looney, President of Reading Area Community College, participated in a check presentation ceremony on Friday, March 12, 2021, to recognize Customers Bank's contribution of $20,000 to create scholarships for dual-enrollment high school students earning early college credits.