Lackawanna College Partners with MMI for Pre-College Program

MMI Preparatory School, located in Freeland near Hazleton, has approved a pre-college agreement with Lackawanna College, enabling MMI students to earn college credits while still in high school.

This agreement, finalized in October 2024, follows an extensive evaluation process in which MMI reviewed area colleges and selected Lackawanna College to partner with for Pre-College programs.

“Jennifer Novotney (Director of Curriculum and Instruction at MMI) and I met with approximately a dozen colleges and universities this summer, and very quickly Lackawanna College rose to the top, not only for the college’s experience with Pre-College programs but the ability to work together and move quickly,” said Dr. Tammy M. Chrin, Ed.D., Director of College Counseling at MMI Preparatory School.

Currently, 40 eligible MMI students are set to benefit from the initiative, with the program already in place and being collaboratively administered by MMI and Lackawanna College staff.

“I am excited to be working with MMI, their staff, faculty, and students. This partnership will help students earn college credits before graduating from high school and save their families thousands of dollars in the process. We are proud to be a part of this process for the families of MMI,” said Phillip Campbell, Director of College Partnerships at Lackawanna College.

MMI students have the flexibility to take classes online, attend courses at the Lackawanna College Hazleton Center, or participate in concurrent classes held at MMI Preparatory School.

“Our students are really excited about the concurrent enrollment opportunities that are available. We currently have 29 credits available over junior and senior year that students can earn college credit for,” said Dr. Chrin. “I’ve introduced associate degree options to our students through the Level Up program and we have a number of students, especially our sophomore class, who are considering earning an associate degree before they would earn their high school diploma.”

Lackawanna College promotes the following goals through its partnership with MMI Preparatory School:

  • Enable high school students to earn college credits, saving time and money toward their higher education goals.
  • Provide exposure to college-level coursework, easing the transition from high school to higher education.
  • Offer pathways to career-focused programs.
  • Help students explore fields of study before committing to a major.

“This is something we’ve been looking at for quite some time here at MMI, a partnership that give us the opportunity to offer our students both concurrent and dual enrollment classes,” said Marci Hosier Assistant Head of School at MMI. “We know this is something that is extremely timely and relevant for our students and their families, and our staff has done a fantastic job working with Lackawanna College in getting this up and off the ground.”

About MMI Preparatory School

For 145 years, MMI Preparatory School has been providing dedicated area students with a comprehensive and inspiring 6th through 12th grade college preparatory program that maximizes each individual’s academic, social, and character potential in preparation for success in college and beyond. The school is jointly accredited by the Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools (PAIS) and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS).  MMI is a school where every student can reach their full potential: academically, ethically, and socially. For more information about MMI Preparatory School, visit www.mmiprep.org or call 570-636-1108.

About Lackawanna College’s Pre-College Program

Lackawanna College’s Pre-College Programs provide high school students with the opportunity to jump-start their college journey by earning credits while still in high school. These programs offer flexibility, allowing students to take college-level courses online, on-campus, or directly within their high schools. By participating, students can save on tuition costs, explore various academic disciplines, and gain valuable experience that prepares them for the transition to higher education. With a focus on academic enrichment and college readiness, Lackawanna College empowers students to take the first step toward achieving their educational goals.

Maternal and Family Health Services Awards Scholarships to Lackawanna College

Maternal and Family Health Services (MFHS) is proud to announce that two participants in the Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) program have received scholarships to attend Lackawanna College. Beginning in 2018, Lackawanna College has provided full-tuition scholarships for clients from MFHS who are enrolled in the NFP program in an effort to continue to provide affordable, high quality educational opportunities to the residents of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

“We are thrilled to see our Nurse-Family Partnership participants taking the next step in their educational journeys,” said Maria Montoro Edwards, President and CEO of MFHS “This scholarship program provides an incredible opportunity for these women to build a strong foundation for their futures, which will benefit not only them but also their children and the broader community.”

 This initiative aims to support NFP mothers in their educational and career aspirations, empowering them to build brighter futures for themselves and their families.

This is a significant step forward in ensuring that NFP mothers have access to higher education, which is key to fostering economic stability and improving overall family health.

The Nurse-Family Partnership is a renowned program that pairs mothers with registered nurses who provide guidance and support through pregnancy and the first two years of the child’s life. The program has been proven to improve maternal and child health, increase economic self-sufficiency, and foster long-term positive outcomes for families.

“At Lackawanna College, we believe in the transformative power of education to create brighter futures for individuals, families, and communities. As a former board president of MFHS, I am especially proud to see this partnership continue its legacy of offering scholarships to students participating in the Nurse-Family Partnership. This initiative not only supports the professional growth of these students, but also our shared commitment to improving healthcare and fostering success for families in our community” said Dr. Jill Murray, President of Lackawanna College.

For more information about Maternal and Family Health Services and the Nurse-Family Partnership program, please visit https://mfhs.org/services/nurse-family-partnership

Photo L to R:

Denise Larson, AVP Enrollment Management and Student Success, Lackawanna College

Maria Montoro Edwards, PhD, President and CEO, Maternal and Family Health Services

Stephanie Cox, Scholarship Recipient

Maria Stefano, Scholarship Recipient

Cheryl Kramer, MS, RN, NFP Nurse Home Visitor, Maternal and Family Health Services

AnnMarie Jennings, BSN, RN, Nurse Supervisor NFP, Maternal and Family Health Services

Ann Jones, BSN,RN, Director of NFP, Maternal and family Health Services

Lackawanna College Culinary Students Open “MISFITS”

Lackawanna College is thrilled to announce the return of its holiday pop-up event, Misfits, a festive and inclusive experience set to open in downtown Scranton at 409 on Adams, the College’s student-run restaurant. This event will run from November 13th through December 21st, and invites guests to embrace the holiday spirit in an unconventional way – where everyone is welcome and being different is celebrated.

Following the success of last year’s inaugural season, which saw over 7,000 guests, Misfits is set to be bigger and better in 2024. The theme of the event is inspired by the heartwarming story of Charlie, a kindhearted but misunderstood soul who inherits an old boarding house. Inside, the rooms are filled with unique characters and festive tales that bring a fresh perspective to the holiday season. Attendees are encouraged to come, find their tribe, and celebrate the holidays with a twist.

“Misfits is about creating a space where everyone can come as they are and be part of something special,” said [Name], [Title] at Lackawanna College. “It’s a unique celebration that brings together our community, our students, and everyone who supports the College and its mission. Last year was a huge success, and we look forward to welcoming even more guests in 2024.”

A Meaningful Impact
Beyond being a fun and festive experience, Misfits plays a vital role in supporting the mission of Lackawanna College and empowering its students. All proceeds from the event help fund initiatives that provide tangible support for the College’s diverse student body, including:

  • Loaner Laptops for Students – Providing 130 students with the necessary tools to succeed in their education by loaning out laptops to help bridge the digital divide.
  • Fighting Food Insecurity – Through programs like The Common Kitchen, Lackawanna College combats food insecurity among students by offering nutritious food staples, culinary training, and access to a community-driven food bank.
  • Student Leadership Opportunities – Scholarships and workforce training opportunities are provided to upperclassmen who take on leadership roles within the College, preparing them for real-world success.
  • Nourishing Neighbors – In partnership with the Scranton Counseling Center, Lackawanna College has provided over 2,300 meals to local families in need, supported by over 100 hours of student and faculty volunteer time.

“We’re not just celebrating the season – we’re supporting our students and our community,” added [Name]. “By attending Misfits, you are helping to make these programs possible, and together, we can continue to create opportunities for those who need it most.”

Become a Sponsor
Lackawanna College is actively seeking sponsors for the 2024 Misfits season. Sponsorships not only provide visibility and recognition within the community but also directly support the College’s mission to empower students and give back to the Scranton area.

For more information about becoming a sponsor, or to inquire about event details, please contact [Name] at (570) 504-7945 or via email at deckers@lackawanna.edu.

Lackawanna College Recognized as a “2024 Great College to Work For”

Lackawanna College Joins the Ranks of the Nation’s Top Institutions

For the second year in a row, Lackawanna College is recognized as one of the nation’s top workplaces in higher education by the 2024 Great Colleges to Work For® program.

The results, released today in a special edition of The Chronicle of Higher Education, are derived from a comprehensive survey encompassing 216 colleges and universities nationwide. Of those, only 75 institutions achieved the distinction of being named a “Great College to Work For,” based on their practices and policies. Results are reported by institution size, and Lackawanna College was recognized in the small college category, which includes schools with enrollments between 500 and 2,999 students.

This year, Lackawanna College won honors in two recognition categories:

  • Job Satisfaction & Support: Recognizes institutions where employees have high job satisfaction, feel supported and have the resources to succeed.
  • Mission & Pride: Highlights institutions where employees understand the mission, take pride in their work and recommend the college as a great place to work.

“Receiving recognition once again as a ‘Great College to Work For’ is a profound honor and a reflection of our collective efforts to build an exceptional workplace. This recognition highlights the dedication, passion, and enthusiasm that each team member brings to our organization. It is not just a reflection of our workplace culture but a celebration of the values we uphold and the commitment we share to support and inspire our students, and each other, every day.”  Lackawanna College President and Chief Innovation Officer Jill Murray, Ph.D., said.

The rankings are the result of a two-part assessment process: an institutional questionnaire that gathers detailed information on employment data and workplace policies, and a survey distributed to faculty, administrators and professional support staff. The primary factor in deciding whether an institution received recognition was the employee feedback.

“Earning this distinction once again is a powerful affirmation of the dedication our employees demonstrate each day in embodying our mission. We are committed to providing high quality education to our students and working to improve our surrounding communities. This honor is a direct result of their hard work and their commitment to making our mission a reality, and I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve achieved together,” Vice President for Human Resources Renee Mundy, Esq., SPHR, SHRM-SCP said.

About the Great Colleges to Work For® Program

The Great Colleges to Work For® program is one of the largest and most respected workplace recognition programs in the country. For more information and to view all current and previous recognized institutions, visit the Great Colleges program website at GreatCollegesProgram.com and GreatCollegesList.com. ModernThink, a strategic human capital consulting firm, administered the survey and analyzed the results.

Lackawanna College’s Sporting Clay Tournament Benefits Petroleum and Natural Gas Program

Lackawanna College is set to host its annual Sporting Clay Tournament, a pivotal event supporting the Petroleum and Natural Gas (PNG) program and its students.

Originating from an initiative by Coterra, the tournament has been organized by Lackawanna College since 2018. It continues to provide crucial financial support to students in the PNG program.

100% of the proceeds from the Sporting Clay Tournament are allocated to the PNG program, funding scholarships, equipment, and materials that reflect the tools and technologies used in the natural gas industry.

“We try to provide our students with hands-on experience with the equipment PNG companies use in the industry. Investments from the tournament allow us to purchase smaller, industry-specific equipment,” Vice President of External/Government Affairs Brian Costanzo said. “The dollars from this tournament not only help purchase equipment but also provide students with scholarships and grants for the PNG program.”

While the Lackawanna College School of PNG and the College Advancement team present this event, the tournament couldn’t achieve the same levels of past success without the direct support of numerous natural gas companies from across the region. This partnership emphasizes the mutual benefit of connecting education with industry needs. Students actively participate in the tournament by volunteering to staff the event and meet some of the companies who sponsor it.

“The PNG students have the unique opportunity to interact with the managers of the companies during the tournament,” Costanzo said. “These interactions serve as an early introduction to potential future employers, enhancing their professional network.”

The Lackawanna College Sporting Clay Tournament has become a significant annual event, offering students unique opportunities for both educational advancement and career preparation. The tournament will be on Thursday, September 19, at Hausmann’s Hidden Hollow in Friendsville, PA. Those interested in attending can find more information or register online at the Sporting Clay Tournament page on Lackawanna.edu. Parties interested in sponsoring the event can also find additional information on sponsorship packages and ways to get involved

Lackawanna College Earns Institutional Reaccreditation for Next Eight Years

Lackawanna College has earned reaccreditation through the 2031-32 academic year from The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). The reaccreditation reflects the college’s commitment to maintaining high standards of education and accountability.

The reaffirmation culminates a rigorous two-year long self-study process that directly involved more than 100 faculty, staff, students, board members and employers. The process included various reviews of Lackawanna College’s strategic plan, enrollment process, academic development and offerings, campus life, fiscal health and student success rate.

“This impressive outcome reflects our continued commitment to providing a quality education to all persons who seek to improve their lives” Lackawanna College President and Chief Innovation Officer Jill Murray, Ph.D. said. “This is a critical accomplishment and reflects years of hard work by our entire college community. While we are proud of our results, we are even more proud of our outstanding team.”

As part of the reaccreditation process, a self-study team was created to review and prepare information for the MSCHE evaluation team’s three-day site visit in March 2024. The self-study team was led by Lackawanna College Provost Erica Barone Pricci, Ph.D., Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs/Dean of Health Sciences Kelly A. Musti, PT, DPT, Dean of Curriculum and Faculty Affairs Adrienne Asbury and Director of Academic Quality Lindsey Munley. The Lackawanna College community also collaborated for the site visit by partaking in self-study activities, participating in working groups and were heavily involved in the on-site MSCHE visit.

After the review, the MSCHE found Lackawanna College meets all standards and requirements for accreditation, providing nine commendations for outstanding aspects of the college. As of July 2024, the MSCHE has formally accepted the evaluation team’s report and reaffirmed its accreditation status.

“Maintaining our MSCHE accreditation is vital for ensuring academic excellence and institutional integrity,” Musti said. “Achieving reaffirmation of our accreditation is not merely a benchmark; it supports Lackawanna College’s commitment to providing a high-quality education and making a positive impact within our community.”

The MSCHE is a voluntary, non-profit association providing accreditation to institutions of higher education in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. The next self-study evaluation will take place in eight years.

Lackawanna College Offers Many Ways to Save on Tuition

Lackawanna College continues to lead the way in making higher education more accessible and affordable for students through groundbreaking corporate partnerships and a robust Dual Enrollment program.

Corporate Partnerships: A Pathway to Affordable Education

Lackawanna College has created strategic partnerships with several prominent local employers, including McDonald’s, Sheetz and Allied Services Integrated Health System. These partnerships offer scholarships to employees, helping to lower tuition costs and provide educational opportunities that may otherwise be out of reach.

The partnership with Mueller Family McDonald’s is open to all its employees and has enabled approximately 70 students to attend Lackawanna College for free. Similarly, Sheetz and Allied Services employees benefit from scholarship opportunities that assist with tuition expenses.

“Our partnership with Lackawanna College has been incredibly successful. We’ve seen firsthand how these scholarships can change lives by making college education accessible to our employees,” owner of several McDonald’s franchises and a Lackawanna College Board member, Christina Curran said.

Dual Enrollment: Expanding Opportunities for High School Students

Since its inception in 2006, Lackawanna College’s Dual Enrollment (DE) program has grown exponentially, both in participation and impact. The program allows high school students to take college-level courses, earning credits that can be applied toward a college degree while still fulfilling high school requirements. From 2022 to 2024, the number of students participating in the DE program increased from 1,832 to 2,110, and the number of credits earned grew from 11,071 to 13,194.

Over the past 12 years, the DE program has saved local students over $30 million in tuition costs. Students pay only $100 per credit, a rate that has remained unchanged for over a decade. The program is available to students in 62 schools across 27 school districts and 14 counties, with more schools joining each year.

“The amount of people this impacts is amazing. For example, my daughter did Dual Enrollment for a year and took a year off her time in college. She’s getting her bachelor’s degree in three years instead of four. The one thing you can’t save is time,” Director of College Partnerships, Phil Campbell said.

The DE program supports a wide range of educational pathways, allowing students to take general education courses and earn up to $6,200 in scholarships towards an associate degree. Additionally, the “Level Up” program provides one-on-one support to guide students to their degrees and is available across all Lackawanna College campuses.

Lackawanna College also offers targeted programs to help students gain a competitive edge in the job market. The SOAR program is designed for students who are occupationally and academically ready, aligning high school courses with postsecondary programs, allowing students to earn up to 15 college credits. The PNG 105 program, an introductory course to the Petroleum and Natural Gas (PNG) program, available since 2013, helps students earn their degrees faster and fills a critical educational gap in Career and Technical Centers.

“I’m going to say 95% of my students had no intentions of going to college. When I meet with them, introduce them to the program and start teaching college credits they realize, number one I can do this and number two I can afford this,” Associate Program Director of the School of PNG, Jeremy Yadlosky, said. “We’ve built a great relationship with the students and schools thanks to the program.”

In light of rising tuition costs, Lackawanna College offers practical solutions to help make higher education more affordable. To learn more about Lackawanna College’s corporate sponsorships and Dual Enrollment, visit Lackawanna.edu or call the college’s Admissions Department at 570-961-7898.

Lackawanna College Police Academy Graduation to Host Scranton Police Detective

WHEN: Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

WHERE: Lackawanna College’s Peoples Security Bank Theater, Angeli Hall, 501 Vine St., Scranton, PA.

WHAT: The Lackawanna College Police Academy will graduate the full-time Class 262. The graduating class includes 26 cadets who are set to embark on their careers in law enforcement.

Kevin Mahoney, Director of Police Academy Operations, will welcome attendees and present certifications to the cadets. We are honored to have Scranton Police Detective Kyle Gilmartin as our guest speaker. Detective Gilmartin will share his insights and experiences to inspire the new graduates.

MEDIA RSVP: Space is limited, and media representatives are requested to RSVP prior to attending the event. Please contact Eric Eiden, Media Relations Coordinator, at eidene@lackawanna.edu or (570) 961-7807.

Lackawanna College Graduation to Feature Speech by Scranton Police Detective

The Lackawanna College Police Academy is proud to announce the graduation of its full-time Class 262. This distinguished class comprises 26 dedicated cadets who are set to embark on their careers in law enforcement.

The ceremony will take place on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in Lackawanna College’s Peoples Security Bank Theater, Angeli Hall, 501 Vine St., Scranton, PA. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m.

Kevin Mahoney, Director of Police Academy Operations, will welcome attendees and present certifications to the cadets. We are honored to have Scranton Police Detective Kyle Gilmartin as our guest speaker. Detective Gilmartin will share his insights and experiences to inspire the new graduates.

Space is limited, and media representatives are requested to RSVP prior to attending the event. Please contact Eric Eiden, Media Relations Coordinator, at eidene@lackawanna.edu or (570) 961-7807.