Tutoring Staff

Suzanne Christie is the Tutoring Center Coordinator/Academic Support Specialist who earned her B.S. and pursued her graduate work at Temple University. Suzanne has been working at RACC for over a decade in various positions such as Intern Job Placement Coordinator, Financial Aid Coordinator for the non-credit side of the college, TAACCT Grant Career Coach and Enrollment Services Specialist. Suzanne has taught college mathematics, GED and ESL classes for Career Programs at RACC. Her favorite book is Millington Valley. Suzanne enjoys selling antiques including vintage clothing, furniture, jewelry and old paintings. Her antique dresses have been purchased by movie set designers from the "Life of Lizzie Borden", Boardwalk Empire, and designers for Ralph Lauren. Her antique hats have been sold to collectors in Russia Japan, Australia, and Europe. Suzanne and her family have restored eight old historic homes and barns including the Hunter House in Oley, Spring Grove Forge in Lancaster County, the Mitchell House in Chestertown, Maryland and the Joanna Furnace School house in Morgantown.

Introducing the new Academic Support Specialist: Jane Mahoney

Jane Mahoney has joined the team as the Academic Support Specialist, supporting the wide array of tutoring and academic services offered by Reading Area Community College. Jane has been with RACC for 2 years as a student, tutor, and instructor. She has a wide range of interests and expertise, having tutored chemistry, physics, and anatomy and physiology, and currently teaches writing. Prior to coming to RACC, she taught beginner and competitive foil fencing (yes, the sport with the swords…) with the YMCA for children and adults, and also worked for a non-profit in Newtown Square, PA, supporting the content for live conference-style events held around the globe. She has a double-B.A. in English and philosophy from West Chester University, and an A.S. in science from RACC. In her free time, you’ll usually find her at the gym or reading mystery novels.

Math Tutors

Pam Musser comes to RACC after retiring from public school teaching. She earned her bachelor's degree from Millersville University in 1984 and pursued her teaching certificate at Alvernia in 2006. She tutors math at RACC and also privately tutors middle school and high school students at home. Her favorite book is The Ultimate Gift and her favorite movie is "50 First Dates". In her spare time, she loves outdoor activities such as biking, gardening and golfing. During colder weather, she enjoys crocheting, baking and cooking. She is grateful to be working in B506 with Rhonda Ochs, who she worked with for many years as computer programmers for Meridian Bank in Reading!

Rhonda Ochs is the Math Learning Specialist in the Math Learning Center. If you have any questions or concerns please contact her through email at rochs@racc.edu or 610-372-4721 ext. 5125. Rhonda has been teaching and tutoring at RACC for more than 15 years. She earned her bachelor's degree from Lebanon Valley College and her teaching certification from Albright. In addition to teaching at RACC she has taught at a few area public schools. Rhonda tutors m most math courses and especially enjoys statistics. For fun, she enjoys being outside biking, hiking, kayaking and gardening. Rhonda also loves to cook, play games, craft, learn and explore. Rhonda loves working with the staff at RACC, who are so dedicated to helping students.

Dennis Phillips joined the RACC math tutoring staff in 2006. He spent thirty-seven years teaching and working as an administrator with elementary, middle school and high school students in Maryland and here in Berks County.   Dennis graduated from Lock Haven State University with a B. S. in Secondary Education. While teaching in Maryland he attended Loyola College in Baltimore where he received a M.Ed. in classroom teaching and school administration. In addition to tutoring, which Dennis considers to be a hobby, he also enjoys fishing and working with model railroads. He has breakfast with a group of friends daily as well as helps his son with his landscaping business. Dennis welcomes the chance to assist you and help you to be successful here at RACC.

Marcia Smith is a tutor and math instructor at RACC. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics from Lock Haven University and a Master's Degree in Education from Wilkes University. Marcia has taught in a variety of settings, including the Schuylkill Technology Center (Schuylkill Vocational-Technical School), Berks Career & Technology Center – West Campus, Reading High School, and Schuylkill Haven Area High School. She tutors all math courses from MAT 020 to MAT 155. In her spare time Marcia enjoys reading, walking outdoor, enjoying nature, spending time with family, browsing the internet, and traveling/exploring.

Science Tutors

Vivian Azar is a peer tutor and graduate of Oley Valley High School in the Science Learning Center who gets great satisfaction from helping others in Anatomy. As a child she wanted to become a vet but now she is not sure of her future career. She is very proud of her artistic achievements involving making pottery bowls and mosaics which have received awards from the Goggle works. Her favorite quote is one she heard at her sister's graduation. The quote is "Take your work seriously but don't take yourself seriously." (Anonymous)

Jesse Bussell is a Math and Science tutor, primarily for Algebra, Chemistry, and basic Biology. He earned his Associate degree in Science from RACC and his Bachelor's degree in  Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Penn State. His favorite book is Cyrano de Begerac and his favorite films are Big Man on Campus and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. He enjoys collecting comic books and cards and tries to go camping once a month (when the weather is nice) in the Weiser Forest.

Natalie Clayton is a peer tutor who loves helping students in Anatomy and Physiology. She dreams of becoming a doctor someday. Natalie loves to cook and sew when she is not in school. She says."I know how helpful tutoring can be. I want to help students succeed."Natalie 's favorite movie is "Forrest Gump" and her perfect meal is spaghetti and garlic bread. Her best vacation was to the U.S. Virgin Islands and a 7 day cruise to Puerto Rico. One of her proudest moments at RACC was receiving an A in Anatomy and Physiology last semester.

Alpha Tall is a peer tutor in Biology, Anatomy, & Chemistry. Some day he would like to open a free hospital in West Africa and help poor children with health issues. He wants to help students conquer tough subjects. When he is not in school he plays soccer, video games and volunteers, Alpha would like to be a physician in the Air Force. Alpha overcame the fact that he hated Biology and became an A student in that particular subject. His most enjoyable vacation was visiting his grandparents in Guinea, West Africa.

Writing Tutors

E.J. Brown is a Writing tutor who has earned her B.A. in American Studies from Eastern University (Philadelphia) and her M. Ed. in Adult Education from Phoenix University. Her favorite movie is Out of Africa and she enjoys reading. She traveled to Italy and Greece in 2005 and truly enjoyed her time.

Jeri Eifler is a peer writing tutor who is also a peer mentor, helping first-time, full-time RACC students succeed during the first semester of college. Her high quality of work and demeanor in class have been important in her journey for academic success. Her long-term goal is to become a physician's assistant. Jeri enjoys yoga, baking and reading the works of Maruki MuraKami.

Félix (Poncho) Peña has returned to RACC as a writing tutor - his all-time favorite job — after a 35-year hiatus, during which he worked as a writer, publications specialist, and journalist. His experience includes gigs at a business magazine and a university publications office, along with various writing and editing positions at the Reading Eagle newspaper. He has written a number of plays, and he also enjoys bicycling and playing the guitar. 

DJ Plante is a peer tutor majoring in Creative Writing. DJ's favorite book is Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet, which started not only an enduring appreciation of the power of the written word, but an abiding love for all things spiritual. DJ attended Word of Life Bible institute in Schroon Lake, NY, was a member of a local Buddhist Sangha for several years, and maintains, to this day, a daily practice of prayer and meditation. DJ enjoys reading from the Bible, the Bhagaved Gita, the Upanishads, the Dhammapada, the Tao, and the Quran, and the themes of the divine are often prominent in his writings. DJ enjoys exploring other cultures through food, music, texts, and most importantly, through people.

Mallory Sunderland is a recent graduate of Wilson College with a Bachelor's degree in English and a concentration in creative writing. She has a minor in Biology and another in Environmental Science. In her spare time she enjoys reading science fiction and fantasy literature, writing and entertaining her  three dogs, Rilus Cooper, Wallace and Rufus - all of which are monstrous in size and attitude. Mallory currently works in the Writing Studio as a writing tutor with lofty goals of publishing her many novel ideas.

Joshua Templin is a peer tutor in writing. He has served as the editor of the school newspaper, The Front Street Journal, for two years. Josh received his AAS in Communications from RACC and is pursuing a degree at Albright College in Journalism. He is a DJ on 91.3FM and particularly likes "post punk" music. His favorite book is If On a Winter's Night a Traveler by Italo Calvino. Josh enjoys helping students improve their writing and hopes someday to be a professional writer for magazines. In the future, Joshua would like to explore England.

Information Technology Tutors

Vivian Azar is a peer tutor and graduate of Oley Valley High School who gets great satisfaction from helping others in IFT. As a child she wanted to become a vet but now she is not sure of her future career. She is very proud of her artistic achievements involving making pottery bowls and mosaics which have received awards from the Goggle works. Her favorite quote is one she heard at her sister's graduation. The quote is "Take your work seriously but don't take yourself seriously." (Anonymous)

Janet Hayes has been an IFT tutor for sixteen years at RACC. She enjoys helping students master the challenges of technology. Janet spends many of her free hours taking care of an elderly parent. This semester she will tutor in Berks Hall B209 in the Academic Achievement Center.