Join us as we celebrate Dr. Looney's Presidential Inauguration with a 2 mile Family Fun Run on Saturday, October 6th!

The run will start at 10AM on RACC campus and follow along the Schuylkill River Trail with a turnaround at Baer Park. There will be refreshments provided after the race.

Pre-register by September 20th to be guaranteed a free t-shirt. You may also register on the day of the race at 9AM in the Raven's Lounge on RACC campus.

The run is free to participate. Donations are greatly appreciated, and will support student scholarships through the Foundation for RACC. Donate to the Foundation for RACC!

Growing up in the foster care system, Missy Hassler faced some challenges, but she continually pushed forward. “It definitely taught me not to give up and not to wait for things to be handed to me - go out and get them yourself.” And now that’s exactly what she intends to do at RACC.

Missy graduated from Brandywine Heights in 2002 and dreamed of becoming a lawyer. “After high school, I received a certificate to become a legal secretary to get my foot in the door,” Missy stated, “but discovered I could make more money tending bar.”

It was not until Missy’s son was born that she realized it was time to find a different job. As she searched the classified ads, she realized that starting a career would be more difficult then she thought. She landed a job as a Member’s Specialist at the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance, but also decided to start pursuing her dreams. “I’m at a point in my life where I can handle school, and work toward not only my future, but my son’s as well.”

Many friends referred Missy to RACC to continue her education. “RACC is full of community-minded individuals, right from the start in admissions to the faculty and students. My teachers are very supportive and my fellow students are friendly and kind. The overall atmosphere on the campus is pleasant.” Missy admits that she was nervous about enrolling and concerned about finances, but RACC’s streamlined application process and the knowledgeable financial aid department made it easy to follow.

RACC is already making a difference in her current position at the Chamber. The quality education she is receiving has made her more comfortable and well-versed in a business setting. “Confidence can only come with knowledge and that’s what RACC is providing me.”

Missy is majoring in Criminal Justice with the hopes of becoming a private detective. “I feel this is an excellent career choice and, not only do I think I’ll excel at it, but I think it will be helpful for my community as well.” For Missy, RACC is exactly what she needed to make her dreams come true. “I believe it’s never too late! If you have a dream, follow it and don’t stop until you see it come to fruition.”

Republished from Safe Berks NEWS, Summer 2018
 
The students, faculty and staff of Reading Area Community College (RACC) worked throughout the 2017-18 school year to raise funds to help Safe Berks. All their hard work came together as students gathered on campus to celebrate the annual RACCy Olympics, where they competed in fun games, including a hula hoop contest.
 
The RACCy Olympics culminated in the presentation of a huge check to Safe Berks. When the real check arrived at Safe Berks soon after the event, the staff felt a combination of gratitude and awe. The check was for $11,156! Those funds will be used to help renovate the Safe Berks Playground. The students raised the funds by completing a series of fundraisers, including selling candy bars, selling tickets to a bus trip to Washington D.C., and selling ads in a RACCy Olympics program book. Each year, students vote to decide which local non-profit to help.
 
“At RACC we feel that it is important to teach our students to become future leaders in our community,” said Kimberly Uphold, Student Life Coordinator at RACC. “One of the ways we chose to encourage that growth is through RACCy Olympics. We all truly care about our community and hope to teach our students that the best way to help and change things is by taking action. Our staff and faculty chose to participate because RACC is a community and we feel it is important for us, as leaders of RACC, to also set the example for our students. Our students understood the need for the children at Safe Berks to have a nice safe environment. When they found out that the funds they were raising were going to build the playground, they were very excited.”

PHOTO CAPTION: From left, Francine Scoboria of Safe Berks, and Daniel Faudree, Kathy Torres, and Kim Upland, of RACC.

August 2018 | berkscountyliving.com

Chris Celmer started his Reading Area Community College (RACC) journey as a student, but RACC provided him with much more than an associate's degree. "Going to RACC was the best decision I ever made," explains Celmer. "It was a turning point in my life and put me on track for long term success," says Chris.

Chris was drawn to RACC for the economic perspective and the ease of being able to juggle his full-time job and course load. He enrolled in RACC as a Business Management major. He continued his education at Alvernia University, where he obtained his bachelor's degree in Business Administration and later got his master's degree at Wilkes University. Chris credits RACC for laying the groundwork for his success. He says, "The foundation that I was given at RACC in the business division allowed me to have a successful journey in school and in the working world."

While working in a prospering manufacturing position, Chris was given the opportunity to teach an adult education course at RACC. Teaching the program helped him to transition his career to work full-time in education. "I realized that education was going to be my gateway to attaining my career goals, and RACC is where I found my passion for leadership and for education," he says. Chris segued to a position at the Berks County Intermediate Unit, which ultimately led him to where he is today, Assistant Superintendent at Reading School District.

Chris attributes his success to the guidance he received from professors Dr. Sandy Kern and Mary Lou Kline. At RACC, both Sandy and Mary Lou were his go-to professors not only for guidance in his studies, but also for counsel with his career.

"I wouldn't be where I am today without the two of them," he asserts. "They both had a phenomenal impact on my life." Chris stayed in contact with Dr. Kern while on a Programming Advisory Board in the Business Division at RACC. And recently, Dr. Kern asked Chris to teach an Operation Management course. "To keep in contact with Sandy over the years has been a real blessing, and now being able to come back to RACC to teach under her is very exciting," he says.

As an administrator in the public school system, Chris feels that RACC is a phenomenal option for students. He believes the bigger universities lack the personal interaction that RACC offers. "The faculty and staff want to do what's right by their students, especially those coming out of high school that need more guidance and support," he says. Chris's recommendation to attend RACC comes both professionally and personally, since his daughter Rayanna is starting classes in the Early Childhood program next year. "I would absolutely recommend RACC to anyone if they are looking at furthering their education."

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Harrisburg, PA – On Tuesday, July 24, 2018, Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Deputy Secretary for Technology and Innovation Sheri Collins joined representatives from Reading Area Community College (RACC), Johnstown Area Regional Industries (JARI), Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center, and other partners to provide an update on Governor Wolf's Manufacturing PA initiative, which supports Pennsylvania's manufacturing community through strategic partnerships while emphasizing job training to career pathways.

Bonnie Spayd, RACC's executive director of workforce & economic development says, "RACC will use the Training to Careers Grant to develop an applied training program based on the needs of regional manufacturing employers. The program is intended to provide the necessary skills needed to work in a production environment as well as a greater understanding of the products produced, the use and benefit of the products to society, competitive pay and upward mobility opportunities that exist in manufacturing companies."

For more information on training programs at RACC's Schmidt Training & Technology Center, call 610-372-4721 ext. 5176.

Photo Caption: Bonnie Spayd, RACC's executive director of workforce & economic development and Rhonda Hudak, RACC's director of grant development/title IX coordinator present an update on Governor Wolf's Manufacturing PA initiative.