West Chester University Signs Agreement With Reading Community College

WEST CHESTER, PA — West Chester University and Reading Area Community College presidents signed a dual admission degree completion agreement Friday that will provide greater access to baccalaureate degree programs for community college students.

The agreement provides qualified, enrolled RACC students to earn an associate degree and then transfer to West Chester University with a renewable scholarship and priority housing.

Eligible students will soon receive a joint invitation from Dr. Susan Looney, RAAC president and Dr. Chris Fiorentino, West Chester University president, to enroll in the new dual admission program.

More than 25 associate degree programs at the community college will transfer directly into parallel programs at the university for eligible students.

In addition, a renewable scholarship award of up to $2,000 per academic year will also be available to eligible RACC students.

“West Chester University is excited to partner with Reading Area Community College and have its graduates join our community,” Fiorentino said.

Fiorentino said that providing students with access to quality education at a reasonable cost is an uncompromising priority at the university.

“We welcome being the next step in the academic plans of numerous RACC graduates,” Fiorentino said.

Looney said the new admissions agreement will expand access to our college's transformative education for Pennsylvania students.

“This partnership will provide a direct pathway to a West Chester University degree for the talented graduates of RACC programs," Looney said.

West Chester University’s Exploratory Studies, Sports Medicine, Respiratory Care, and traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) major programs are not part of this new guaranteed dual admission agreement.

Qualified RACC students must enroll at the university within one calendar year from their graduation.