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.
Lackawanna College’s Ghost Kitchen Program Helps Grow Start-Up Businesses For this baking session, Marissa Fallon didn’t just use the usual amount of ingredients for her signature cookies.She needed much more. Standing at the commercial-grade mixer in the kitchen at 409 on Adams, Lackawanna College’s student-run restaurant, Fallon watched as the butter and other ingredients blended together into what would be used to make 15 dozen cookies.“I’m able to make a large number of cookies in one visit because of Lackawanna College,” Fallon said, smiling. “I used to make one tray of cookies at a time at home. Now instead of taking two days to make 15 dozen cookies, I can make that amount in two hours.” Fallon, owner of Cookies by Marissa, is the first person to participate in Lackawanna College’s Ghost Kitchen program, which helps food entrepreneurs access commercial kitchen facilities at 409 on Adams when not in use for instructional purposes. The program started a few months ago as a way to give entrepreneurs access to certified commercial kitchens.“Not only do we offer degree, certificate and training programs, but we also offer other unique learning opportunities,” said Lackawanna College President Dr. Jill Murray. “People starting off as food entrepreneurs may not have the experience in a commercial kitchen or access to one. Our Ghost Kitchen program gives them a chance to learn what it’s like to work in a commercial kitchen without having to rent a storefront and buy the equipment, which can be cost prohibitive when just starting out.”The Ghost Kitchen program is a joint venture between the Culinary Program and the Venture Lab. The two entities identify qualified startups and provide them with temporary, short-term access to commercial kitchen facilities to test market opportunities. “This program gives food entrepreneurs certified space where they can make their dishes,” said Michael Jensen, Lackawanna College’s Venture Lab director. “The idea came from the pandemic. In places like New York City, they would have five or six people using a shared kitchen facility. There was no dining, just delivery. The restaurant only exists digitally. With less overhead, entrepreneurs in ghost kitchens are able to make their food and sell it online at a higher profit margin. We thought it was a great idea and wanted to offer that to local entrepreneurs.”Participants are able to use preparation areas, sinks, mixers, ovens, stove tops, bowls, cooking trays, pots and pans, measuring cups, and a variety of cooking utensils. The program also may allow limited dry and cold storage space.After a business is approved, Culinary staff give participants an orientation of the facilities by reviewing the equipment and space available. A participant has access to the site when a Culinary staff member or designated representative can be on-hand to unlock access to kitchen areas, monitor activity and verify exit procedures are followed. Participants also must complete food safety and equipment use and safety training, be a registered Pennsylvania company, pass a City of Scranton health inspection, maintain an accurate record of facility utilization for billing purposes and clean up the kitchen area after each use. “After talking to Marissa, we knew she would be a perfect fit for our Ghost Kitchen program,” said Susan Markovich, coordinator and dining room manager for 409 at Adams. “Instead of Marissa having to buy or rent a storefront and invest in the commercial-grade kitchen equipment, which can be expensive, she can continue her new business by participating in our program. We’re pleased we can partner with local businesses that are just starting off so they can be successful in the local communities. At Lackawanna, we value those partnerships, which makes the local communities we serve even better.”Fallon said Lackawanna’s program has made her better able to meet the needs of her customers so she can continue to provide a quality product. “Before I felt like I was more of a small-town business, making cookies for friends and family,” Fallon said. “Now people see where I work and know I’m a legitimate business.”
The Lodge at Woodloch Announces New Partnership With Lackawanna College The Lodge at Woodloch is thrilled to announce their partnership with the Massage Therapy Certificate Program at Lackawanna College’s Lake Region Center. This strategic partnership will gather the knowledge and expertise of a world-renowned destination spa resort along with the well-rounded education at Lackawanna College to create a-certificate program with a true “hands-on” opportunity for an enriched educational experience. The Lodge at Woodloch has recruited a new Program Director, Donna Schriver, an avid Lodge at Woodloch guest, advocate, and Massage Therapy Instructor. Donna comes to The Lodge at Woodloch with over 15 years’ experience in training future therapists in a variety of specialized techniques. Additionally, Treatments Manager Amanda Clabaugh will take an active role in teaching classes and leading cohorts through experiential education at The Lodge at Woodloch. The award-winning destination spa is located within seven miles of the campus and allows for students to get an in-depth look at a fulfilling career in the spa industry. The curriculum will instruct students on topics such as anatomy, physiology, massage theory & research, kinesiology, and more. The program will prepare each participant to take the MBLEx (Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam) offered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Board (FSMTB). The non credit program is compliant with Pennsylvania state guidelines. The wellness industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. More specifically, employment opportunities for massage therapists are estimated to grow by 32 percent from 2020-2030, well above average. The U.S. spa industry revenues grew from $12.1 billion in 2020 to $18.1 billion in 2021, an increase of more than 49 percent, and the rapid growth is expected to continue. The ability to get exposure to an award-winning destination spa in the course of one’s training is truly unique. The exposure to rigid training techniques, high level service, and a luxurious setting is a great benefit to one’s resume while starting out. “The partnership with The Lodge at Woodloch ensures our students receive supervised, hands-on training while studying at Lackawanna College,” said Lackawanna College President Dr. Jill Murray. “This gives students an insight into the massage therapy career field and better prepares them to enter the workforce. We are grateful to The Lodge at Woodloch for providing our students with the opportunity to learn at a destination spa in the Poconos, which attracts tourists from around the country and the world”
Lackawanna College Towanda Offers PNG Introductory Courses Bradford County residents will soon have a way to start their petroleum and natural gas education closer to home. Lackawanna College’s Towanda Center will start offering three introductory Petroleum & Natural Gas (PNG) courses in January as a way to provide additional access to the degree program. Currently, classes are offered at Lackawanna College’s Tunkhannock Center. To announce the new class offerings, Lackawanna College officials held an event on Aug. 24 where Chesapeake Energy delivered a wellhead, which will be on display on the front lawn of the Towanda Center. A wellhead is used in the energy field and is the component at the surface of an oil or gas well that provides the structural and pressure-containing interface for the drilling and production equipment. Several businesses helped Chesapeake prepare the wellhead for Lackawanna. Those businesses were Xtreme Truckin, ROC Service Co., Technip FMC, Salandra Painting Inc. and Evergreen Oilfield Solutions. “The petroleum and natural gas industry is in need of qualified, well-trained employees,” said Lackawanna College President Dr. Jill Murray. “The industry is projected to see about 50% of its current workforce retire in the next five to seven years. Lackawanna College’s decision to offer these classes in Towanda shows our commitment to the local communities. We are always looking to enhance our educational offerings so we know community members get what they need to be successful in the local workforce.” The new classes at the Towanda Center are Petroleum & Natural Gas Technology (PNG 105), Math for PNG (Math 150) and Physical Science for PNG (PHY 150). Students will still need to travel to Tunkhannock for their hands-on classes. “Our hands-on PNG classes will still be offered at our Tunkhannock Center, but courses in Towanda will mean students won’t have to travel to Tunkhannock for all of their classes,” said Sue Gumble, program director for Lackawanna College’s School of PNG. Kelly White, Towanda Center director, said the new courses will be geared toward students still in high school, those who just graduated and those who are looking for retraining. “The introductory courses will give students the chance to take some of their PNG classes here in their hometown,” White said. “Our dual enrollment students in high school can get a jumpstart on their education with these classes. Other students will have the chance to take those introductory courses here as a first step in their education and training and then use this as a building block to advance.” The new classes are also the result of feedback from the local energy sector, which has a large presence in Wyoming County, where the School of PNG in Tunkhannock is, and in Bradford County, where the Towanda Center is. “We want to continue building our partnerships with the local communities and businesses,” Gumble said. “Offering these classes helps us continue that work. The energy industry likes to hire people from the local communities. They want to help communities thrive by having jobs people can work at so local workers have good career opportunities.” Ashley Knox, a School of PNG instructor, Lackawanna College alumni and Optimization Foreman with Chesapeake Energy, said Chesapeake is pleased to partner with Lackawanna to expand the classes to other locations. “We’re hoping the equipment will help generate community interest in the program,” Knox said. “Companies like Chesapeake need qualified workers, and the new classes in Towanda will be a great way for the College to help grow the local workforce.” Lackawanna College offers a Petroleum & Natural Gas Business Administration associate degree, Petroleum & Natural Gas Technology associate degree and certificates in Petroleum & Natural Gas Technician and Petroleum & Natural Gas Compressor/Engine Mechanic. Students interested in learning more about the PNG program in Tunkhannock or courses in Towanda can visit the College’s website. They can also contact the School of PNG at (570) 866-1900 and the Towanda Center at (570) 265-3449.
Lackawanna College Receives Grant Lackawanna College was awarded a $5,142 grant from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation to support adult literacy. Funds will be used to offer two free English as a Second Language (ESL) programs for Spanish speakers at its Hazleton Center in the summer and fall of 2022. This local grant is part of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation’s recent award of a $10.5 million donation to support summer, family, and adult literacy programs, representing the organization’s largest one-day grant donation in its 29-year history. “We are proud to continue our partnership with Dollar General,” said Casey Weisbeck, manager of the Lackawanna Language Academy (LLA) at the Hazleton Center. “The grant removes a significant financial barrier, giving Spanish speakers with little to no English proficiency access to educational resources. This opportunity opens the door for furthering their education, providing a pathway for future success in our Hazleton community.” Coordinated by the (LLA), the ESL classes will be offered in the summer and fall of 2022 and assist Spanish-speaking students with limited or no English proficiency. ESL classes will benefit 48 Hazleton residents. The 10-week evening courses will be in-person with take-home lessons. After completing the program, students will be eligible for Lackawanna College’s English Proficiency certificate program, an 18-credit program that continues English language learning and prepares students for college-level work. “For nearly 30 years, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation has been proud to invest in literacy and education programs in our hometown communities,” said Denine Torr, executive director of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. “The recent and significant shifts in the educational landscape have made the Foundation’s mission more critically important. As we work to create access to high-quality instruction for all individuals, we share our gratitude for the educators who are working to uplift and empower others. We hope these funds will have a meaningful impact on students and teachers across the country and look forward to seeing the positive impact they have on learners.”
Lackawanna College Dual Admission Transfer Agreement Susquehanna University and Lackawanna College have signed a transfer agreement allowing qualified students to earn their bachelor’s degree at substantial tuition savings by transferring after earning their associate degree. Through this partnership, qualified students also can receive merit-based scholarships of up to $32,000 a year, with an additional $5,000 scholarship available per year for students in Phi Theta Kappa, the college’s academic honor society. The agreement, which waives the university’s application fees, also requires students to complete an “intent to enroll” form with a Lackawanna College transfer advisor prior to having earned 30 credits. Interested students can apply by June 1 for fall semester enrollment or by Oct. 1 for spring semester enrollment this year. All scholarships may be renewed for up to four semesters for students earning an associate degree contingent upon students earning at least 30 credits each academic year at Susquehanna. “Few investments have a greater impact on our nation or more substantial return than access to higher education,” Susquehanna University President Jonathan Green said. “On average, college graduates earn more than $1 million in lifetime income above those who do not complete college degrees and are more likely to remain employed in times of high unemployment. We look forward to ensuring a smooth transition for Lackawanna College graduates who come to Susquehanna to complete their bachelor’s degrees in preparation for an even brighter future.” “This agreement gives Lackawanna College students a pathway to continue to complete their degree in their field of choice,” said Dr. Jill Murray, Lackawanna College President. “We are always looking for more opportunities to offer an affordable, accessible education, which leads to family-sustaining jobs in our community.”
Thomas P. Cummings Discretionary Fund Established at Lackawanna College Atty. Tom Cummings, pictured center, has established the Thomas P. Cummings Discretionary Fund at Lackawanna College. The fund will assist students in the culinary and hospitality programs in need of non-tuition-related emergency funding. Pictured are from left, Kristen McNally, Kiesendahl School of Hospitality Director; culinary student Lucas Fein; Atty. Cummings; culinary student Brielle Marchione; Mariellen Walsh, Associate Vice President of Advancement at Lackawanna College.
Lackawanna College Police Academy Hosts Inaugural Roundtable Event The Lackawanna College Police Academy hosted its inaugural roundtable event at the College’s Hazleton Center on March 1, 2022. The roundtable invited leaders in local law enforcement to share ideas, concerns and recommendations on top issues currently facing law enforcement.During the event moderator Kevin Mahoney, Assistant Director of Academy Operations for Lackawanna College and roundtable panelist discussed hiring efforts, the difficulty in attracting qualified candidates and creative practices that departments used to recruit and retain law enforcement officers.“Law enforcement agencies in Pennsylvania and throughout the nation are in the middle of a recruitment and retention crisis,” said John Chilleri, Lackawanna College Director of Academy Operations. “It’s increasingly difficult to attract qualified applicants to the profession. This event provided a forum to discuss issues and offer creative ideas to help police departments in their recruitment efforts.”Chilleri provided opening remarks and introduced the panelists and was joined for the roundtable by: Guy Salerno- Chief of Blakely Police Department Joseph Coffay- Chief of Wilkes-Barre Police Department Brian Schoonmaker – Chief of Hazleton Police Department Lt. Richard Nesbitt – Commander of Recruitment Services, Pennsylvania State PoliceFounded in 1894, Lackawanna College is a private, accredited college serving the people of northeastern Pennsylvania. With the main campus situated in downtown Scranton, Lackawanna’s expanding footprint also includes satellite centers in Hawley, Hazleton, Sunbury, Towanda, Tunkhannock and the Environmental Education Center in Covington Township. Learn more at www.lackawanna.edu.
LCEEC Beginner Beekeeping Certificate Program The Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center (LCEEC) in Covington Township is accepting applications for the Beginner Beekeeping certificate program. The program will run April 7-June 9, Thursday’s, 5 p.m.- 7 p.m. at the Environmental Education Center, 93 MacKenzie Road, Covington Twp. The $250 10-session course is for both beginner and seasoned beekeepers. After completing the course, participants will be certified to manage honeybee colonies for maximum bee health and honey production. Courses in the Beginner Beekeeping Certificate program include: History of BeekeepingHoneybee BiologyBehavioral Aspects of HoneybeesApiary Equipment and InstallationRules and RegulationsEnvironmental ChallengesPollinators and their BenefitsHive Check and Applied Care To enroll in the LCEEC Beginner Beekeeping Certificate Program, visit Lackawanna.edu/beekeeping, email lceec@lackawanna.edu or call (570)842-1506.
Lackawanna College Receives Grants Lackawanna College has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the Hawk Family Foundation to support the purchase of an Anatomage Table, a state-of-the-art anatomy education and virtual dissection-teaching tool. Students enrolled in the College’s Health Sciences programs will use the table to improve their anatomy knowledge with interactive hands-on experiences. According to the manufacturer Anatomage, the table is the world’s first virtual dissection table featuring a fully segmented real human 3D anatomy system. Leading medical schools and institutions use the table worldwide. “It’s exciting for Lackawanna College to have access to this cutting-edge technology,” said Meegan Murray, division lead for the College’s Health Sciences Division. “Students in this field tend to be visual and kinesthetic learners. This technology will lead to deeper learning and understanding of the human body that is essential when taking care of patients.” Students are currently learning about anatomy through a mobile application called Visible Body, along with the use of textbooks and anatomy models. Murray believes that the new table will be a game-changer. “Having this technology at Lackawanna College will catapult student learning into the future, producing healthcare professionals with a thorough understanding of human anatomy and physiology,” said Murray. The College expects to have the table available for the Fall 2022 semester.
