Lackawanna College will Host Spring Bazaar Open House

On Saturday April 15, 2023 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m Lackawanna College will host a Spring Bazaar open house for local high school students interested in attending Lackawanna College. Students can take an immersive tour of our campuses, meet with faculty from Lackawanna’s 60 plus academic programs, receive personalized financial aid assistance and take part in a block party celebration on Vine street outside Angeli Hall at Lackawanna College’s Scranton Campus. Local high school students interested in attending Lackawanna College and faculty from Lackawanna College providing information from our various programs. Lackawanna College Scranton – 501 Vine Street Scranton, PA 18509 Lackawanna College Hazleton – 2 East Broad Street Hazleton, PA 18201 Lackawanna Towanda – 1024 South Main Street Towanda, PA 18848 Lackawanna College Tunkhannock – 420 Tioga West Plaza Tunkhannock, PA 18657 Lackawanna College Sunbury – 1145 N. 4th Street Sunbury, PA 17801 Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center – 93 MacKenzie Rd. Covington Twp., PA 18444

Lackawanna College Offers Early Explorers Program

The Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center invites children ages three to six years old and their guardians to attend Early Explorers, a program aimed at providing children with a lifelong, meaningful relationship with the natural world. Classes will be held every Thursday from April 20 to May 25, 2023, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center (LCEEC) located 93 MacKenzie Road, Covington Township, PA 18444.

Early Explorers is a program series that offers discovery-based learning that changes with each season. Using the natural world as a catalyst for growth and development, children will explore natural sciences, gain sensory awareness, creatively express themselves, and practice using large and fine motor skills while developing critical social skills. 

During each class, children will have the opportunity to hike and explore the various habitats on the 211-acre property, which includes a forest, meadow, open field, and a stream. Children will also gain first-hand experiences with plants and animals. Each week will feature a different nature-related topic including Super Seeds, Awakening Amphibians, For the Birds, Animal Mothers, Spring Winds and Little Sprouts.

Enrollment is now open. The cost is $40 for the series of six classes. Registration is limited, and pre-registration is required. This is an outdoor program, so please dress for the weather. For more information or to register, contact Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center at (570) 842-1506 or email yaniks@lackawanna.edu.

Lackawanna College Hosts Exploration Day

Lackawanna College will host a STEM Career Exploration Day, a fair for local high school students interested in STEM to see all the upcoming programs the Center for Technology Innovation (CTI) has to offer. The event will take place on Thursday, March 30 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m at Lackawanna College Student Union Gymnasium 500 Jefferson Ave, Scranton, PA 18510. Invited are High school students in grades 10-12 interested in making college/career preparations and taking science, technology, engineering and math.
Those attending will view firsthand the new equipment and presentations for each of the CTI’s areas of study including cybersecurity, robotics & integrated technologies and electric vehicles & advanced automotive technologies.  
Coordinated by Lackawanna College’s Business Division, Career Services and Pre-College Departments, this event will increase student financial literacy and career awareness through a hands-on, immersive experience. Students will balance a monthly budget, compare careers and salaries and “try out” some of our programs from the perspective of a Lackawanna College student.
Lackawanna College’s vision for the CTI is to expand the College’s role as an economic, social and community development leader that supports the future industrial ecosystem. The CTI will offer undergraduate degree programs, corporate training, as well as short term, stackable certificates, to prepare individuals for the jobs of tomorrow and is now accepting enrollment.

Lackawanna College’s President Recognized

Lackawanna College’s President and Chief Innovation Officer, Jill Murray, Ph.D., ranked 37 in City & State Pennsylvania’s 2023 Higher Education Power 100. Dr. Murray became Lackawanna College’s first female president, previously serving as its executive vice president from 2012 to 2020. Under her leadership, Lackawanna College was named one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company Magazine for its Level Up program, which compresses the bachelor’s degree timeline.

Dr. Murray’s professional training initiatives include the Center for Technology Innovation, offering STEM degree programs such as Robotics & Integrated Technologies, Cybersecurity, Electric Vehicle & Advanced Automotive Technologies and corporate training coming fall 2023. She also collaborated with Dallas Shaw to bring Blitzen to the Scranton area, a holiday pop-up bar in the on-campus student-run restaurant that provided culinary students with real-world experience. “We are so proud to have Jill be recognized as one of Pennsylvania’s educational leaders,” Chairperson of the Lackawanna College Board of Trustees, Joyce Van Schooneveld said. “Jill has helped grow Lackawanna College into a great place to receive an education and having her be recognized for her hard work is inspiring.”

The City & State’s Higher Education Power 100 recognizes Pennsylvania’s most influential academic leaders focusing on making a difference on and off campus. Through their experience and innovative programs, the leaders recognized in this list demonstrate why Pennsylvania continues to be a national focal point in higher education.   Dr. Murray ranked with other local leaders in our area including Reverend Joseph Marina of the University of Scranton, Reverend Thomas Looney of Kings College, Dr. Jonathan Green of Susquehanna University and Sister Mary Persico of Marywood University.

Lackawanna College’s Robotics Program Announces Amatrol Partnership

Lackawanna College’s Robotics & Integrated Technologies Program partners with Amatrol and Allegheny Education Systems.   The partnership allows the Center for Technology Innovation’s Robotics & Integrated Technologies Program students to receive hands-on experience with Amatrol equipment such as robotics, automation systems, industrial electronics, programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and many more.  
“This partnership will assist our students by bridging the gap between the electrical side of robotics and programming,” Robotics & Integrated Technologies Program Director Rob Crane said. “Included in this partnership is troubleshooting, critical thinking skills and PLC work, which we will be performing with Amatrol equipment and educational material as well.”  
The Robotics & Integrated Technologies Program will use the Amatrol robotics/automation curriculum to educate students on the full scope of building and maintaining automation.   “Students will be given material at a level where they can understand it and if they are having trouble learning the concepts, they have the option to go back and review past lessons or another section entirely,” Crane said.          
The Robotics & Integrated Technologies Program is built with a hands-on approach with students spending 60 percent in the lab. Students will train on the equipment from Amatrol similar to on the job training. The program will align with the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Institute (ARM), a national expert in robotics and workforce development.     
“The class material and equipment we will have in the lab is going to have a factory feel with hands-on learning versus only learning in the classroom,” Crane said. “We get more than the scope of learning robotics, we get extra access to everything Amatrol does and this partnership will eventually blend into other programs, such as Electric Vehicle & Advanced Automotive Technologies and the School of Petroleum & Natural Gas.”            
Amatrol is a global leader in technical education, offering different levels of study in the manufacturing processes starting with the basics and building into more complex technology applications. Within the program are different levels of credentials for students to earn and take into the workforce. These credentials include Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA) certificates for PLCs, basic electrical theory and advanced manufacturing/motor control. Within these certificates are also micro credentials students will receive, keeping them innovative for the future.  
“We have gone out and done our due diligence to find one of the best educational training equipment and material providers,” Crane said. “We can get a novice student to a very high-level education in a short amount of time.”  
On March 30, Lackawanna College will host a STEM fair for local high school students to increase student financial literacy and career awareness through a hands-on, immersive experience.
The event is coordinated by Lackawanna College’s Business Division, Career Services and Pre-College Departments. Students will balance a monthly budget, compare careers and salaries, and “try out” some of our programs to experience each from the point of view of our students, including CTI programs.
The event will run from 8:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.   Media are requested to RSVP prior to attending event, please contact Eric Eiden, Media Relations Coordinator at (570)961-7807 or eidene@lackawanna.edu to register.

Lackawanna College Receives Grant Funding

Lackawanna College received a grant award of $20,000 as part of the Pennsylvania’s Office of the First Lady and the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s 2022-23 PA Hunger-Free Campus grant program.

Joining 27 other postsecondary institutions across the state, Lackawanna College will work to reduce student hunger insecurities on campus, provide awareness programs, create student advocacy opportunities and supply access to healthy food options so students can continue to learn and grow in the community.

“At Lackawanna College we are grateful to receive the PA Hunger-Free Campus grant for this year,” Lackawanna College President Dr. Jill Murray said. “The funds from this grant will be used to address any student food insecurities through education and school resources to make Lackawanna College a hunger free campus.”

The grant will provide information for students on how to get the help they need to not go hungry and issue Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. SNAP helps lower income Pennsylvanians purchase food through an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) ACCESS Card and students can sign up for the program if eligible.

“One-third of post-secondary students are at risk of hunger and are potentially forced to withdraw from school,” Associate Vice President of Student Engagement Dr. Dan LaMagna said. “We have the resources to help students at the Student Life Office and this grant will help us communicate with students, getting the assistance they need to not go hungry.”

First Lady Frances Wolf launched the PA Hunger-Free Campus campaign in August, 2022, inviting postsecondary institutions to support efforts on addressing student hunger needs on campus. The Governor’s PA Hunger-Free Campus grant program’s goal is to support postsecondary institutions’ efforts to demonstrate their commitment to addressing these needs and diminishing barriers for learners.

“There are many great initiatives at Lackawanna College but this one is special in that it is a tool to help students focus on their education, not their next meal,” Dr. LaMagna said. “The grant program will be open to everyone, if there is a need at Lackawanna College, we will fill it and continue to build a culture of care on campus.”

Lackawanna College will utilize the funding from the PA Hunger-Free Campus now through December 31, 2023.

Lackawanna College Receives Award Awarded From the City of Scranton

Lackawanna College was recently rewarded $15,000 from the city of Scranton as part of the American Rescue Plan Act funding.

The funding from the American Rescue Plan Act will be used to support the Lackawanna College Counseling Program facilitated by Lackawanna’s Student Wellness Office, helping cover the cost of mental health counseling sessions for current students.

The project director for the counseling program, Student Wellness Program Director Tierny Ulmer Cresswell, is excited about the program and the care it can provide, especially with the increased need for mental health services post COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to expand mental health services here on our campus for our students. Mental health services are imperative to getting our students to graduation,” Cresswell said. “Similar with what other institutions are seeing post COVID-19, the intensity of student challenges are becoming greater – adding this level of care is necessary for students success .”

The counseling program started the 2022 fall semester and is free for any current student to take advantage of both in person, with an on-campus therapist located in Angeli Hall, and online through telehealth. Students in the Sunbury, Lake Region, Hazleton, Tunkhannock and Towanda Centers can use this service virtually as well.

“Student response has been wonderful, we surpassed the expected number of students within the first two months – that showed us quickly how much it was needed,” Cresswell said. “We are grateful to be able to provide quality mental health services to students at all Lackawanna College campuses for free. These funds will assist us to remove barriers students often face when trying to access mental health services.” 

Lackawanna College will use the funding from the American Rescue Plan Act on July 1, 2023.

Lackawanna College Police Academy Scranton Class Graduates

Their hard work, dedication and commitment paid off.

“We are proud to have trained generations of law enforcement since the inception of our program,” said Lackawanna College President Dr. Jill Murray. “Our graduates get their training at Lackawanna College, find jobs in their hometowns or stay regionally and are well prepared to serve their local communities. These fine men and women are an example of how Lackawanna College is continuing its tradition of preparing quality graduates for careers in law enforcement.”

Twenty-seven cadets recently graduated as part of Lackawanna College’s Police Academy Scranton Class 257, becoming the newest members of law enforcement.

All graduates have either obtained or have been offered full-time employment.

“Lackawanna College’s Police Academy helps fill the need for quality municipal law enforcement officers in our area,” said Kevin Mahoney, Director of Academy Operations. “There is currently a shortage of police officers not only statewide but nationwide. Lackawanna College’s Police Academy is known for its rigorous training program and those who graduate are among the finest in law enforcement.”

To be eligible to join the Academy, cadets must undergo an interview with Academy staff, a psychological test, a pre-entrance physical test and other testing requirements. Once accepted, cadets then begin their classroom training.

“We have nearly 1,000 hours of training that includes academic training, physical training, firearms training and scenario training. It takes a special individual to complete this course,” Mahoney told the graduates and their families at the graduation ceremony in Scranton. “We have such a unique and diverse cadre of instructors. We have active and retired law enforcement from federal, state, county and local agencies. They all bring a level of expertise and experience that really makes our program second to none.”

Mahoney thanked the family and friends of the cadets for their support as their loved ones went through the program.

Dominick DeNaples, former member of the Lackawanna College Board of Trustees, performed the cadet inspection at graduation. During his post inspection address, he told the cadets they are an elite group of men and women who will now be role models.

“Class, the certification you get today does not come alone,” DeNaples said. “It takes a certain additional responsibility on your part. All of the sudden you are going to be somewhat of a role model. You’re going to be looked up to by your friends, your neighbors, your family and more importantly the youth and the children you come in contact with.”

Besides DeNaples, other dignitaries participated in the ceremony. They included Deacon Donald Crane, deputy chief, Wilkes-Barre Police Department 9retiured), who performed the invocation; Lt. Seth Kelly, Pennsylvania State Police, Troop M, Bethlehem, IACP Trooper of the Year 2017; and Dick McLane, who played the bagpipes.

Class 257 also selected Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Branden T. Sisca as their Fallen Officer Tribute. A drunk driver struck and killed Sisca and Trooper Martin Mack at 1 a.m. on March 21, 2022 on southbound Interstate 95 in Philadelphia.

Sisca had served with the Pennsylvania State Police for 13 months and was assigned to Troop K. He is survived by his wife, Brittany, and daughter, Brynn Tyler Sisca.

The following are the graduates of Class of 257:

  • Celia Bond, Lords Valley
  • Shawna Bower, Edwardsville
  • James Brown, Moosic
  • Matthew Brunetti, Clarks Summit
  • Benjamin Busko, Selinsgrove
  • James Coslett, Kingston
  • Robert Farris, E. Stroudsburg
  • Preston Gehring, Schuylkill Haven
  • Patrick Gill, Bloomsburg
  • Matthew Grippo, Scranton
  • Isaiah Guerrero, Riverton, NJ
  • Peter Gutowski, Jr., Roaring Brook Twp.
  • Jakob Kerby, Pottsville
  • Benjamin Kreuzer, Mountain Top
  • Kade McNally, Easton
  • David Nicholetta, East Stroudsburg
  • Brian David Nolan II, Archbald
  • Scott Roper, Mountain Top
  • Justin Royce, Moosic
  • Stacie Sala, Pen Argyl
  • Morgan Schaszberger, Monroe Twp
  • Lucas Schultz, Clarks Summit
  • Jared Simon, Nicholson
  • Christopher Taylor, Waymart
  • Mia Vieira, Scranton
  • Jacob Williams, Exeter
  • Brandon Winn, Duryea

Lackawanna College Sunbury Celebrates Anniversary

Jennifer Times know the importance of a quality education.

After the pandemic pushed her to reassess her career goals, she attended and graduated from Lackawanna College with an associate degree in Business Administration, which has helped her transition to a job in the business industry.

Times went to the College’s Sunbury Center, which celebrated its five-year anniversary on Monday, Aug. 1 with an open house. The event included tours, one-on-one help with the College’s Financial Aid office and other informational sessions. The College also waived application and commitment fees for those who applied during the event.

Local dignitaries attended the event, including Philip Campbell, Sunbury Center director; Tom Bogush, regional director of Admissions at Lackawanna College, Sunbury Mayor Joshua A. Brosious; Derrick Backer, Sunbury city administrator; Marc Freeman, Shikellamy Principal; Lynda Schlegal Culver, state representative; Joe Kantz, Snyder County commissioner; Kymberley Best, Northumberland County commissioner; Aimee Buehner, chamber representative; Sierra Woodling, Sunbury Revitalization Inc.; Westley Smith, building owner; and several Lackawanna College alumni.

“We are grateful to be part of the Sunbury community and be a place where local residents can get a high-quality education,” said Lackawanna College President Dr. Jill Murray. “We want our degree and non-degree graduates to enter the workforce and succeed. An education from Lackawanna College prepares our graduates to excel in their positions and gives local employers people they can count on.”

Lackawanna College strives to provide the local communities it serves with degree programs and training that are needed the most. As the community’s college, the Sunbury Center offers residents the chance to study the latest, high-demand fields such as Medical Assisting, Criminal Justice and Business Administration.

“The Sunbury Center provides high-quality education for students in Northumberland and the surrounding counties,” said Philip Campbell, Sunbury Center director. “We are committed to providing a quality education to all who seek to improve their lives and better their communities. We continue to be the community’s college and we take that responsibility seriously.”

The Sunbury Center has provided opportunities for students like Times to further their education or get retraining. Without her degree, Times wouldn’t have had the necessary training to perform her business duties at her new job, which include invoices, contracts and insurance work. The College’s online Business Administration program was able to give Times the flexibility she needed to finish her degree on a full-time basis and meet her professional and family obligations.

“Because of Lackawanna, I was able to get into my bachelor’s degree program at Arizona State University online and the job I currently have,” Times said. “Although the impact of the pandemic was upsetting, I am in a much better position now having graduated from Lackawanna. The staff and professors there have really prepared me for my career and I can’t say enough nice things about the college.”

The Center has several different degrees and certificates students can study. Bachelor degrees include Business, Criminal Justice, Human Services, Restaurant and Foodservice Management and RN to BSN.

The Center’s Associate degree programs include Accounting, Business Administration, Business Studies, Criminal Justice, Culinary Arts – which will start soon, Cyber Security, Human Services, Petroleum & Natural Gas Technology, Professional Studies and Sport Management.

Additionally, the Center has certificates in 3D Printing and Medical Assisting. There are also select programs available online such as Business Administration.

Those programs provide students the accessibility to a college education in their own community.

“For me its accessibility because our kids are not able to all hop in a car and go down to Bloomsburg University or Susquehanna University,” said Marc Freeman, Shikellamy High School principal. “They can go to college right here. If they get job income then maybe they can travel to the main campus so that offers them accessibility as well.”

The College also recently signed an articulation agreement with Susquehanna University. That agreement allows qualifying students guaranteed acceptance as a junior at the university.

“The programs we have at Sunbury enable students to stay in the area and save money because they can attend a college right here,” Campbell said. “We are constantly looking for ways for students to also continue their education, whether it’s through one of our own bachelor degree programs or with another university that we have an articulation agreement with like Susquehanna University.”

For students like Times, it’s about finding the right place that offers the best education. Lackawanna College fit her requirements so much so that even her husband and son are attending. Her husband has been taking a class or two each semester to help him in his current role. Her son will start in the fall. Both are also hoping to get their associate degrees in Business Administration from Lackawanna.

“Three out of four people in my family have attended or will be attending Lackawanna College to further their education,” Times said. “Because of my experience at the school, both my husband and son decided to attend Lackawanna. The College really helps you better yourself and gets you prepared for the workforce. I am definitely in a better position career-wise now than I was before the pandemic.”

Prospective students in the Sunbury area looking for more information about the Sunbury Center can visit the College’s website at Sunbury Center at Lackawanna College | Lackawanna College. Students can also call the center at (570) 988-1931 to get more information.