Johnson College Earns 2021-2022 Military Spouse Friendly® School Designation Johnson College announced today that it has earned the 2021-2022 Military Spouse Friendly® School designation. Institutions earning the Military Spouse Friendly® School designation were evaluated using public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. Over 1,200 schools participated in the 2021-2022 survey, with 747 schools earning the designation as a Military Friendly School, of which 194 were selected for the Military Spouse Friendly Schools list. Johnson College was designated as a Military Spouse Friendly® School for their leading practices, outcomes, and effective programs for military spouses. The 2021-2022 Military Spouse Friendly® Schools list will be published in Military Spouse magazine’s May issue and can be found at www.militaryfriendly.com. Methodology, criteria, and weightings were determined by Viqtory with input from the Military Friendly® Advisory Council of independent leaders in the higher education and military recruitment community. Final ratings were determined by combining the institution’s survey response set and government/agency public data sources within a logic-based scoring assessment. We measure the institution’s ability to meet thresholds for Student Retention, Graduation, Job Placement, Loan Repayment, Persistence (Degree Advancement or Transfer), and Loan Default rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans. “Military Friendly® is committed to transparency and providing consistent data-driven standards in our designation process. This creates a competitive atmosphere that encourages colleges to evolve and invest in their programs consistently and with purpose. Schools who achieve designation show true commitment and dedication in their efforts. Our standards assist schools by providing a benchmark that promotes positive educational outcomes, resources, and support services. Focusing on the betterment of the educational landscape and providing positive outcomes and economic opportunity for the Military Community.” – Kayla Lopez, National Director of Military Partnerships, Military Friendly®. For more information about Johnson College’s student veteran programs, visit Johnson College’s website at https://johnson.edu/future-students/veterans/.
Johnson College to Host 4th Annual Auction for Children’s Advocacy Center Johnson College’s Carpentry & Cabinetmaking Technology program will host an auction to benefit the Children’s Advocacy Center of NEPA on Wednesday, April 28th, 2021 on the Johnson College campus. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. and the auction starts at 6:00 p.m. More than 60 items will be available to bid on including cutting boards, tables, cabinets, a book case and more. All items were created by students in the Carpentry & Cabinetmaking program. Most of the items were made from re-purposed wood. Face masks are required and social distancing guidelines will be followed. The 2019 auction raised over $7,000 for the local non-profit. No auction was held in 2020 due to the on-going pandemic. To register, please visit johnson.edu/events/annual-carpentry-auction. Johnson College provides real-world, hands-on learning in a caring environment and prepares graduates to enter into or advance in their careers. Johnson College degrees become essential careers. Johnson College was founded in 1912, and is the region’s premier technical college, offering 15 associate degree programs and 3 academic certificates. An emphasis on hands-on instruction is supported by a low student-to-teacher ratio. Located in Scranton on a 44-acre campus, the College is an accredited, private, non-profit, co-educational institution with a strong tradition of working with regional businesses and industry to ensure a skilled and qualified workforce. For additional information on Johnson College, please call 1-800-2-WE-WORK, email enroll@johnson.edu, or visit Johnson.edu.
The Andrew Mazza Diesel Jam 2021 to Benefit Johnson College The Andrew Mazza Foundation in support of Johnson College is proud to announce that Andrew Mazza Diesel Jam 2021 will take place on Saturday, July 10, 2021, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. after being postponed in 2020 due to the pandemic. To accommodate the increasing amount of attendees & participating vendors, this year’s event is moving to the Circle Drive-in located on the Scranton-Carbondale Highway in Scranton, PA. Diesel Jam supports The Andrew Mazza Foundation, the Diesel Truck Technology Program at Johnson College, & scholarships for Johnson College & high school students. Diesel Jam is a celebration of the truck community, featuring a diesel, gas, & antique truck show, mobile dyno runs, industry vendors, apparel vendors, food vendors, live entertainment & more. It is an all-day (rain or shine) family-friendly event. All trucks are invited to participate & prizes will be awarded for Best in Show, Best Big Rig, Best Tow, Best Pick Up, and Best Antique & Diesel Jam People’s Choice. Additionally, cash prizes for the mobile dyno are $1,000 for Highest Overall Horsepower and Guess Your Horsepower prizes for 1st Place – $800, 2nd Place – $500, 3rd Place – $200, 4th and 5th Place – $100 each. Early truck & mobile dyno registration can be completed through the Andrew Mazza Foundation’s website, andrewmazzafoundation.com/diesel-jam until June 30, 2021. The fee to register a truck is a $25 donation. Day of event registration & truck check-in will begin at 8 a.m. on July 10th, registration will be limited & will increase to $35 per registration. An additional $100 fee is required to register for the mobile dyno.
Johnson College to Welcome More Students Back to Campus Johnson College will welcome more students back to campus for in-person classes and labs for the 2021-22 academic year starting with its summer session on June 28, 2021. Through its enhanced course offerings, the College is committed to delivering its mission of providing students with real-world, hands-on learning in a caring and safe environment. Students will be able to choose either in-person or virtual classes for their general education and program theory courses, which have only been offered virtually since March 2020. Labs and lab-related coursework will continue to be delivered in-person, on the Johnson College campus, or at one of our industry partner lab locations. CDC guidelines will be adhered to at all locations. Throughout the 2021-2022 academic year, Johnson College will continue to: Divide campus by zones to ensure contact tracing. Masks will be provided and social distancing guidelines enforced.The Facilities Department is following all CDC cleaning guidelines for the campus.The student Café will not operate as normal. Students will be allowed to bring their food and use the dining area. Tables and chairs will be set up within social distancing guidelines. “Grab and go” items will be available to students as well.Congregating and events will be limited.Housing will not be available for the foreseeable future. Students who need housing should contact the Office of Student Engagement for other options. This plan is subject to change pending guidelines set forth by local, state, and national government officials and appropriate health agencies. “As we move forward from this past academic year, the Johnson College community is thrilled to be able to welcome our students, some for the first time, back on campus, with even more flexible options for their education,” said Dr. Katie Leonard, President & CEO, Johnson College. For additional information on Johnson College, please call 1-800-2-WE-WORK, email enroll@johnson.edu, or visit Johnson.edu.
Johnson College’s Specialized Soldering Training and Certification Course Johnson College is offering a 16-hour IPC J-STD-001 Training and Certification Course through its Continuing Education Program. This specialized course introduces the materials, methods, and acceptance criteria for producing high-quality soldered electrical connections. The course will be held on the Johnson College campus during the late afternoons starting Monday, May 17, 2021, through Thursday, May 20, 2021. The total cost of the course is $500 and space is very limited. To learn more or to enroll, visit johnson.edu/continuingeducation or contact the Johnson College Continuing Education Department at 570-702-8979 or continuinged@johnson.edu. This course can be utilized by workers in industries such aerospace, bio-medical, computer technology, and electronics to name a few, who are interested in expanding their careers while helping their companies grow. The 16-hour course will focus on modules 1 and 2 of the IPC J-STD-001. Module 1 includes General requirements: applicable documents; materials, components, and equipment requirements; general soldering and assembly requirements; cleaning; printed circuit board requirements; coating, encapsulation, and staking; anti-tampering; and rework and repair. In module 2, students will learn how to make wire and terminal connections; demonstrate wire stripping, wire tinning, and gold removal; and assemble turret, bifurcated, pierced, hooked, and hollow cup terminals to the highest performance standards. Upon successful completion, students will receive an IPC Certification in J-STD-001 soldering. For additional information on Johnson College’s Continuing Education Program, please call 570-702-8979, email continuinged@johnson.edu, or visit Johnson.edu/continuingeducation.
Johnson College Receives $5,000 from Fidelity Bank through Pennsylvania’s EITC Program Recently, Dr. Katie Leonard, President & CEO at Johnson College visited Fidelity Bank in Dunmore to receive a $5,000 check in support of the College’s STEM Outreach and Industry Fast Track Program from Michael J. Pacyna, Jr, Executive Vice President and Chief Business Development Officer at Fidelity Bank and Daniel J. Santaniello, President and Chief Executive Officer at Fidelity Bank,. Fidelity Bank donated to Johnson College as part of Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program, which is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. Through its STEM Outreach, Johnson College utilizes its experience in providing industry-focused technical education to expand its outreach to elementary, middle, and high school students. The outreach raises awareness of the benefits of STEM education and the possibilities of achieving economic independence through employment in a STEM career field. Johnson College’s Industry Fast Track program offers high school students an opportunity to enroll simultaneously in secondary and post-secondary coursework at Johnson College. The course meets state requirements for high school graduation while providing introductory level college courses. For additional information on Johnson College, please call 1-800-2-WE-WORK, email enroll@johnson.edu, or visit Johnson.edu.
Candy Frye to Deliver Johnson College’s 2021 Commencement Address Johnson College has selected Candy Frye, Director of New Business Development at A. Pickett Construction, Inc. and Johnson College graduate, to give their 2021 commencement address to graduates on Tuesday, May 11, 2021, at dusk, at the Circle Drive-In Theatre in Scranton. As the Director of New Business Development at A. Pickett Construction, Inc., Frye is instrumental in driving new business. She nurtures relationships with existing commercial and facilities-related clients. She identifies new opportunities through the development of strategic relationships with potential clients of various sectors. Prior to this role, Frye was the Dispatch Manager of Pickett Facilities Maintenance, a subsidiary of A. Pickett Construction, Inc. Her background has been diverse in nature, though always trade-related. Mrs. Frye currently serves on the Johnson College Board of Directors, is the current chair for the NEPA Associated Builders and Contractors Association, and is an active member of multiple chambers of commerce. She also serves on the Domestic Violence Service Center Board of Directors as well as multiple associated related committees. During her time as a student at Johnson College, she earned an Associate in Specialized Technology degree in both Building Construction Technology in 1993 and Architectural Drafting and Design in 1994. She was nominated and served as Student Government President as well as received the Non-Traditional Student of the Year award. She resides in Harding with her husband Jay, daughter Jordan, and great-nephew, Noah. For additional information on Johnson College, please call 1-800-2-WE-WORK, email enroll@johnson.edu, or visit Johnson.edu.
Lackawanna College and Johnson College Sign Articulation Agreement Recently Lackawanna College and Johnson College signed an articulation agreement that gives Johnson College students the opportunity to transfer credits to Lackawanna College’s Bachelor of Science in Business program. “Johnson College students already built a strong foundation through their learning experiences and will now be able to easily transfer into Lackawanna College’s Bachelor’s program to complete their degree,” said Dr. Jill A. Murray, Lackawanna College President. “Our business bachelor’s program allows students to stay local and earn their degree in a flexible and challenging program that will prepare them for careers.” The bachelor’s degree in business at Lackawanna College prepares students for success in the business world with a diverse curriculum and a well-rounded education that produces career-ready graduates. Students can choose a marketing concentration or a lean entrepreneurship concentration to better hone their skills. “Establishing this articulation agreement with Lackawanna College creates an opportunity for our students to build on the hands-on education they’ve already received and stack their credentials even more with a bachelor’s degree,” said Dr. Katie Leonard, President & CEO of Johnson College. “This agreement strengthens the relationship between our two institutions and creates a more experienced workforce in our community.”
Johnson College Offers Free College Readiness for STEM Occupations Program Johnson College is offering a free eight-week College Readiness for STEM Occupations program for teenagers ages 14 to 18 years old, from low-income families, who live in Lackawanna County. The program starts Wednesday, April 21, 2021, and continues every Wednesday and Thursday from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. for eight-weeks. The program includes dinner for students and transportation between Scranton High School and the Johnson College campus if needed. For eligibility requirements and to register, contact Dr. Kellyn Williams, Johnson College’s Chief Academic Officer at knolan@johnson.edu or 570-702-8940. This program is supported by a grant from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. The College Readiness for STEM Occupations program includes presentations and hands-on discovery activities designed to increase awareness of career opportunities in the STEM workforce and to improve college-readiness skills. Participants are evaluated throughout the program based on attendance and discussion. The program will: Increase awareness of STEM-related occupations.Increase awareness of two-year options for post-secondary education.Designed for all students, not just those who will pursue post-secondary education or careers in STEM or STEM-related fields.Develop skills necessary for success in college and career.Increase student potential for academic and personal success through knowledge of campus resources. Students who complete the program with at least 80% attendance will receive college credit (a $550 value). To qualify for the college credit, students will be required to sign-in at each session to verify attendance. For additional information on Johnson College, please call 1-800-2-WE-WORK, email enroll@johnson.edu, or visit Johnson.edu.
Johnson College Receives Grant from the United States Department of Agriculture Johnson College has been awarded a $490,381 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as part of the agency’s Telemedicine and Distance Learning Program. This grant will support the College’s goal to implement a distance learning program improving access to higher education opportunities for rural areas in Wayne, Pike and Susquehanna counties. The project will link Johnson College with four rural high schools: Forest City Regional High School, Honesdale High School, Wallenpaupack Area High School, and Western Wayne High School. As well as three libraries: Lakewood Library, Newfoundland Library, and Pleasant Mount Library by high-tech telecommunications equipment. Both high school and adult students will have interactive, two-way access to Johnson College faculty and will participate in remote education, discussions, testing, and skill demonstrations. Laboratories and classrooms at Johnson College will be similarly equipped to enable maximum interaction between faculty and students. In addition, the three rural libraries will be equipped with laptops to give community residents access to career exploration services and information about courses at Johnson College. Students participating in the distance learning program will be able to work towards completing any one of the 15 academic programs Johnson College offers. The project will create a direct route to career technology education (CTE), a college degree, and ultimately a fulfilling career with family-sustaining wages for students in rural Northeastern Pennsylvania. For many families, this will be the first generation empowered to attend college and removes several barriers like transportation to make college possible. We will focus on a distance learning platform using the latest in two-way interactive telecommunications technology to create an environment that is as close to the Johnson College onsite classroom and laboratory experience as possible while being delivered in the high school community. The rural nature of the region presents several barriers to students and community residents in accessing higher education. The high schools collaborating on this project are between 21 and 31 miles from Johnson College. Because of family responsibilities, cultural norms, or factors related to working while enrolled in school, many students stay close to home for college. When there are no institutions of higher education close by, transportation and distance become barriers to upward mobility, fulfilling careers, and financially rewarding positions. This program can change that through distance learning and telecommunications. This strategy has several benefits for the individual student, the community, the industry partners needing more workers, and the state/regional/local economic development efforts. This project also benefits Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education which is integral to the College’s curriculum for all students attending Johnson College, whether through distance learning, online learning, or on-campus learning. The specialized STEM training made possible by this grant funding will give students the opportunity to start their college degree while still in high school and complete earlier for in demand positions throughout the region, as well as provide an opportunity to train non-high school students for new careers due to job loss or the desire for positions with higher family-sustaining wages. “We are thrilled to be partnering with these schools and libraries to bring the Johnson College experience to those who otherwise might not be able to take advantage of it,” said Dr. Katie Leonard, President & CEO of Johnson College. “Everyone should have the opportunity to learn skills that can lead to family-sustaining wages for in-demand careers.” U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (D-PA-08) congratulated Johnson College and applauded the project. “As the internet fuels more innovative higher learning options, we need to invest to make sure they are accessible,” said Cartwright. “Projects like this open the door to exciting educational opportunities that give more students a shot at a fulfilling career, regardless of their zip code. I want to congratulate Johnson College on this well-deserved federal award.” In addition to the distance learning opportunity this funding provides, students will also have access to Johnson College’s full array of on-campus support services including tutoring, counseling, career advisement, financial aid, internship opportunities, and exposure to industry from day one. Distance learning will help high school and adult students reach their full potential, and connect with the region’s essential careers already in demand. For additional information on Johnson College, please call 1-800-2-WE-WORK, email enroll@johnson.edu, or visit Johnson.edu.
