Johnson College Celebrates NEPA RISE Program Readiness In Skilled Employment has accepted its largest class size to date. Twenty-three individuals began classes last week as part of NEPA RISE Cohort 3 at Johnson College’s campus in Scranton, a class size that has nearly tripled since the program’s launch in January of 2022. NEPA RISE is a pilot program that integrates sector-based occupational skills training with executive skills coaching and support services. The program model integrates demand-driven training with courses and coaching designed to support the development of executive function (self-regulating) skills. We strive to lift participants out of poverty and into sustainable, living-wage jobs with benefits. “This program gives me and my kids a future,” shared a recent NEPA RISE graduate. The program supports participants with a variety of supports to ensure their unique success and help them reach both short terms, such as completing an academic course, and long term goals, such as building a career that offers a sustainable quality of life. “When you are living paycheck to paycheck, it’s hard to step out of your comfort zone and try to build yourself something new. NEPA RISE surrounds our students with the support to make the transition to a new career attainable,” shared Liz Finley, Program Director for NEPA RISE. Throughout the program, participants will have access and funded a variety of supports, such as transportation, childcare, technology, supplemental tutoring, referrals for health services, assistance maintaining or obtaining suitable housing, among others.
Johnson College Trade Programs Thrive with Fifth Year of Record Enrollment Johnson College trade programs are thriving as record enrollment continues to outpace the previous academic year with over 630 students between its Scranton and Hazleton campuses. In addition to a record number of incoming first-year and returning students, Johnson College also welcomed its largest Industry Fast Track class to date. There are over 70 students from the Northeastern Pennsylvania region who have enrolled either part-time or full-time with Johnson College for college credits while also earning their high school diplomas. Johnson College has seen an increase in enrollment in the building trades programs of over 15% in the past two years. Programs in its Building Trades & Technology division such as its Electrical Construction Technology and Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning Technology programs have more than doubled enrollment in the last five years. “The College is expanding to meet the increasing demand for skilled technicians and technologists in our area,” said Bill Burke, M.S., Johnson College’s Vice President of Student and Academic Affairs. “With the addition of new programs and a satellite campus in the greater Hazleton region, we continue to hear from industry and community partners, students and their families, as well as area school districts that what we offer is invaluable and an asset to our area.” With a record number of students enrolled for the fifth year in a row, Johnson College works hard to fill the skills gap in today’s job marketplace – making the College’s recruitment and programmatic focus more on workforce development.
Johnson College to Host Instant Enrollment Decision Day Johnson College is hosting an Instant Decision Day for prospective students on Tuesday, August 15, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. inside Woolworth Hall on the Johnson College Scranton campus. To register to attend, visit johnson.edu/instant. During the Instant Decision Event, Johnson College will provide prospective students with an immediate enrollment decision. Students must supply their high school and/or college transcripts. It is highly recommended that the prospective student completes a Johnson College application before attending. Applications for Johnson College’s Physical Therapist Assistant, Radiologic Technology, and Veterinary Nursing programs are excluded from instant decisions.
Johnson College Now Enrolling Students in Driver Training Course Johnson College in partnership with Ancora Education is now enrolling students in its Class A CDL Driver Training course that begins on August 21, 2023, at the College’s new satellite campus, Johnson College at the CAN DO Training Center, in Hazle Township. To learn more or to enroll in the Class A CDL Driver Training course, visit johnson.edu/hazleton-cdl or contact the College’s Continuing Education department at continuinged@johnson.edu Students will learn to inspect and operate tractor-trailers and to assume driver responsibilities on the road and at pickup/delivery points. Emphasis is placed on vehicle inspections, defensive driving, range maneuvers, motor carrier safety regulations (DOT 380 -397 and a certificate for entry-level drivers), trip planning, cargo handling, size/weight laws, general maintenance procedures, hours of service, and accident prevention. Participants in this 160-hour program can obtain their CDL in as little as four weeks. The course complies with the new Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) rules established by the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration (FMCSA), which went into effect in February 2022.
Johnson College Enrolling Students Into Distance Learning Program Johnson College is now enrolling for its Fall 2023 Distance Learning Program for high school and adult students in Wayne, Pike, and Susquehanna counties. It creates a direct route for students to complete any of Johnson College’s seventeen 2-year associate’s degree programs and ultimately a fulfilling career with family-sustaining wages while staying in their communities. To learn more about this program or to register for courses listed below, please visit johnson.edu/distance-learning-program/ or email the Johnson College enrollment team at enroll@johnson.edu. Students will have interactive, two-way access to Johnson College faculty and participate in remote education, discussions, testing, and skill demonstrations via high-tech telecommunications equipment in classrooms at Forest City Regional High School, Honesdale High School, Wallenpaupack Area High School, and Western Wayne High School. Furthermore, Lakeville Library, Newfoundland Library, and Pleasant Mount Library will be equipped with laptops to give community residents access to career exploration services and information about courses at Johnson College. In addition to the distance learning opportunity this program provides, students will have access to Johnson College’s full array of on-campus support services including tutoring, counseling, career services, 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. Distance learning courses available at all participating high schools will include: VMR 151-1 Introduction to Vehicle Maintenance and Repair – Tuesdays, 2 to 3:50 p.m. PRG 103-1 C Sharp – Tuesdays, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. BUS 101-1 Introduction to Business – Mondays, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. WTC 153-3 Gas Metal and Flux Cored Arc Welding – Tuesdays, 5 to 5:50 p.m. WTC 154-3 Gas Metal and Flux Cored Arc Welding I Lab – Thursdays, 5 to 9 p.m.
Johnson College to Hold Open House Johnson College Hazleton will hold its first-ever student and community Open House on Thursday, July 27, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the CAN DO Training Center located inside the Humboldt Industrial Park at 370 Maplewood Drive in Hazle Township. The event welcomes all interested students and community members who are eager to see the progress of the new college campus. All visitors must register to attend the Open House by visiting johnson.edu/hazletonOH or contacting Johnson College’s Enrollment Department at 570-702-8856 or enroll@johnson.edu. The Open House will include discussions with interested students about the admissions process, information about financial aid for those who qualify, and student services such as student life, student support, and career services. Plus, same-day acceptance will be available for many programs if students bring their high school or college transcripts. Tours of each technical area will be conducted and program directors and instructors will be available to review the specifics of their programs with both students and the community.
Johnson College to Host Open House Johnson College will hold an on-campus Open House on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, from 5 to 7 p.m. on its Scranton campus. To register to attend the Open House, visit Johnson.edu/openhouse or contact Johnson College’s Enrollment Department at 570-702-8856 or enroll@johnson.edu. Open House will include discussions about the admissions process, information about financial aid for those who qualify, and student services such as student life, student support, and career services. Plus, same-day acceptance will be available for many programs if students bring their high school or college transcripts. Tours of each technical area will be conducted and program directors and instructors will be available to review the specifics of their programs.
Johnson College Enrolling Students in Welding Courses Johnson College’s Continuing Education Program is currently is enrolling students for their next Fundamentals of Welding course starting on July 13, 2023, and an Intermediate Shielded Metal Arc Welding course starting July 27, 2023. Both classes will be held on the Johnson College Scranton campus. To learn more or enroll, visit johnson.edu/continuing-education/ or contact the Johnson College Continuing Education department at 570-702-8979 or email continuinged@johnson.edu. During the Fundamentals of Welding, students will learn the basics of the major welding processes. The Intermediate Shielded Metal Arc Welding (Stick) Welding course will teach students equipment set-up, basic techniques and safety for oxy-fuel welding and cutting. In addition, basic metallurgy, welding codes, welding inspection and welding symbols will be discussed.
Johnson College to Host Celebration of Industry Johnson College will host its first-ever Celebration of Industry event on September 7, 2023, on the College’s Scranton campus. The event will honor David Boniello ’84, President of Simplex Industries, as the recipient of the President’s Spirit of Giving Award for his leadership and contributions to Johnson College and the region. Johnson College’s Celebration of Industry is a signature fundraising event that celebrates the unique relationship between the College and its industry partners. Each year, an industry partner will be honored for work as an industry champion and for playing a vital role in supporting the College’s students and the community. Proceeds from the event will benefit the College’s Innovation at Work Capital Campaign to improve programs and facilities for student success. The President’s Spirit of Giving Award is an artistic representation of the community, students, and the College made of steel and welded together in a flowing 3D design. The award was designed and created by members of the College’s Welding Department including Tony DeLucca, Welding Technology Program Director, Ben Lipperini, Welding Instructor, and Josh Perniciaro, Welding Instructor. Mr. Boniello is a native of Dunmore, Pa., and graduated from Johnson College with an Associate Degree in Building Construction Technology in 1984. He became an active member of the College community by participating in its Program Advisory Committees, as a member of the Board of Directors in 2008, and became the first alum to be named Chair of the Board of Directors in 2016. Mr. Boniello worked on the College’s first capital campaign from 2009 to 2014, helping to raise over $5.1 million, and currently chairs the College’s $5 million five-year capital campaign, Innovation at Work, launched in 2021. He played an instrumental role in the College’s nationwide search for the current President and CEO, Dr. Katie Leonard. Mr. Boniello has been part of the Simplex team for over 30 years. Throughout his professional career, he rose through positions in sales and management before being appointed to Vice President of Simplex, where he focused on developing and maintaining relationships with large-scale customers. He oversaw the company’s largest apartment and townhome projects across the Mid-Atlantic region. He was promoted to President in 2022. Furthermore, in 2005, he was an instrumental part of the company’s efforts to launch its own retail division for home sales called Cornerstone Building Solutions Inc. of which he currently serves in the capacity of President. In addition to his commitment to Johnson College, Boniello is a former board member of the Lackawanna Home Builders Association and Home Builders Association of Northeastern Pennsylvania, along with the Women’s Resource Center Golf Tournament Committee. Simplex Industries has been an industry partner of Johnson College for over 25 years. The partnership benefits both organizations and most importantly, the local community. Through collaborative efforts with NeighborWorks of Northeastern Pennsylvania and the Lackawanna County Area on Aging, the College and Simplex are involved with the Elder Cottage Housing Opportunity (ECHO). The project allows older adults to remain close to family or caretakers as they age by placing cottages on their properties. These structures are designed and built by Johnson College students and members of the Simplex team. To learn about available sponsorship opportunities for the Celebration of Industry, please contact Karen Baker, Senior Director of College Advancement, at kbaker@johnson.edu or (570) 702-8908.
Johnson College Enrolling Students in Maintenance Course Johnson College’s Continuing Education Program is currently enrolling students in its next Basic Maintenance course offered on the College’s Scranton campus. The course will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. beginning on July 10, 2023, to August 16, 2023, and cost $500. This 48-hour non-credit certificate course is designed for individuals looking to enter the high-demand field of maintenance and repair. Students will learn basic maintenance and repair skills required in the upkeep of building and property systems. Instructional topics include areas such as tools, equipment, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, pest control, weatherization, and painting. To learn more or enroll, visit johnson.edu/continuing-education/, call 570-702-8979 or email continuinged@johnson.edu.