Penn State Scranton to Host Upcoming ‘Spend A Summer Day’ Open House

Spend A Summer Day

Prospective students are invited to learn about the numerous educational opportunities at Penn State Scranton during its upcoming “Spend A Summer Day” open house from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, August 8.

During their visit, guests will learn about the campus’ degree programs; its unique 2+2 Plan, which allows students to start their degree at Scranton and complete it at University Park or another PSU campus; and Penn State’s 275+ degrees. They will also meet current students, staff and faculty, and tour the campus, including its cutting-edge labs and new Library and Nursing Building.

Register at https://scranton.psu.edu/summer-event

Penn State Scranton to Conduct Babysitter American Red Cross Training Course

Babysitter American Red Cross Training

Babysitter’s Amercian Red CrossTraining and Pediatric First Aid/CPR
Discover the rewarding world of childcare and learn what to do when you are in charge!
Learn about child safety, how to “play it safe” and the basics of caring for children while developing your leadership skills.

Find out how to prevent and recognize emergency situations, as well as how to provide basic first aid and CPR for infants and children until an emergency medical team arrives.

Ages: 11-16
Dates: July 22, 2025 & July 23, 2025
Times: 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Fee: $259
Instructor: Karen Stylianides
Maximum Seating: 15

https://scranton.psu.edu/business-development-community-outreach/options/youth-programs/nittany-cub-summer-camps/baby-sitter-training

Penn State Scranton To Hold Nittany Cub Camp – Myths Legends & Folklore

Nittany Cub Camp – Myths, Legends, & Folklore Camp

Myths, Legends, and Folklore Camp (Ages 9-13)

Dive into a new and fascinating world at summer camp!
Join us on an exciting journey through myths, legends, and folklore from around the world! Campers will uncover the fascinating histories behind these traditions while engaging in hands-on crafts and immersive cultural experiences. They’ll also have the chance to create and share their own stories.

Explore the rich Celtic heritage of Ireland and Scotland, step into the world of King Arthur’s Court, and sail with the Vikings. Discover the legend of the Blarney Stone, build your own Viking ship, and castle construction.

https://scranton.psu.edu/business-development-community-outreach/options/youth-programs/nittany-cub-summer-camps/folklore

Penn State Scranton’s Mechanical Engineering Students Set to Complete Innovation Challenges

We are inviting local companies, community organizations, and civic leaders to collaborate with Penn State Scranton’s Mechanical Engineering students through and innovative educational initiative supported by the Leonhard Center.

As part of the ME-340 Design Methodology course in Fall 2025, students will participate in Innovation Challenges – semester-long, team-based projects that tackle real world problems faced by local communities. These challenges encourage students to develop practical, value-driven solutions in areas such as energy efficiency, accessibility, environmental sustainability, and public health. We are seeking community partners with challenges relevant to their needs.

ME-340 Community-Focused Project Briefs
 Project TitleChallengeStudent Task
1Affordable Heating Retrofit for Senior HomesMany older residents in the region live in drafty, poorly insulated homes.Design a low-cost, modular heating improvement system (e.g., window inserts, radiator reflectors, smart vents) that can be installed with minimal tools.
2Smart Water Usage System for Local Gardens or ParksWater conservation and maintenance in public spaces.Develop a low-tech, IoT-based irrigation controller that optimizes watering schedules based on soil moisture or weather.
3Accessibility Aid for Public Buildings or Local EventsTemporary ramps, guides, or tools are often lacking at local venues.Design portable, collapsible accessibility tools (e.g., ramps, signage, mobile seating supports).
4Community Composting SystemFood waste is high; composting infrastructure is minimal.Develop a modular composting bin system with odor control and usability in urban or semi-urban settings.
5Snow & Ice Removal Assistive ToolElderly and disabled residents have difficulty clearing driveways and sidewalks.Design a manually operated or low-powered snow/ice removal aid that is lightweight, safe, and easy to use.
6Mobile Market Cart for Local VendorsLocal vendors struggle with transporting and displaying goods at pop-up events or farmers’ markets.Design a durable, weather-resistant, foldable cart that serves as transport and display unit.
7Emergency Power Backup System for Rural Clinics or ResidencesPower outages can disrupt critical equipment use in homes and small clinics.Design a basic, solar-powered or hand-crank backup system for low-wattage medical or communication devices.
8Ergonomic Workstation for Remote WorkersMany rural residents have shifted to remote work but lack ergonomic setups.Design a low-cost, adjustable desk system that supports health and productivity in small home spaces.
9Community Tool Library Inventory & Checkout SystemShared tools often go missing or untracked in community lending libraries.Develop a simple mechanical or digital system for tracking tool checkouts and returns.
10Low-Tech Air Quality Monitor for Classrooms or Elderly HomesAwareness of indoor air quality is limited in community spaces.Design an easy-to-use air monitor using color-changing indicators or basic sensors.
11Affordable Leaf Collection Machine for Small BackyardsDuring the fall season, residents with small backyards often struggle with managing large volumes of fallen leaves. Commercial leaf collection machines are often too expensive or too large for personal use.Design a simple, affordable, and easy-to-store leaf collection device or machine suitable for small residential backyards. The design should consider ease of use, storage space, noise levels, and cost-effectiveness.

Penn State Scranton Holds Information Session: Sustainability Coordinator Certificate

Did you know that the Securities and Exchange Commission have adopted new rules for publicly traded companies to disclose climate-related information in annual reports? Did you know that businesses that invest in sustainability outperform their peers?

The sustainability coordinator’s primary responsibilities include identifying gaps or inefficiencies in a company, developing projects to create more sustainable processes/environments, and implementing the plans created to help their company’s positive impact grow. This role requires honed critical thinking- and communication skills, as well as the ability to oversee multiple projects at once. 

In order for businesses in all industries to be successful today, they will need Sustainability Coordinators to help assess, recommend, and implement plans to ensure the processes and policies are efficient and responsible for the three pillars of the triple bottom line: People, Prosperity, and Planet!

The online, non-credit Sustainability Certificate at Penn State helps business professionals turn rigorous knowledge into meaningful action. 

An Information session on our Sustainability Coordinator Certificate will be held August 8th from Noon to 1 pm. Those attending will be provided a discount when they register. 

For more details visit: https://scranton.psu.edu/business-development-community-outreach/options/certificate-programs/sustainability or email scrantonoutreach@psu.edu

Scranton Area Community Foundation, Women in Philanthropy Awards $35,000 to Local Nonprofits

Women in Philanthropy (WIP), the initiative of the Scranton Area Community Foundation that focuses on empowering and transforming the lives of women and girls in the Lackawanna County region, proudly announces the recipients of its 2025 grants cycle. After a competitive grant process, $35,000 in grant funding was awarded to seven local nonprofit organizations. The awards were announced during the Women in Philanthropy Spring Grants Meeting held at the Hilton Scranton on Thursday evening, May 8, 2025.

The recipients included Penn State Scranton (Financial Literacy Lunch & Learn Series for High School Students), Scranton School District (Girls in STEM), Scranton Primary Health Care Center (Confident Smiles Program), Providence Pregnancy Center (Casa de Maria Renovations), Black Scranton (Black Maternal Health Awareness), CASA of Lackawanna County, and The Philharmonic Society of Northeastern Pennsylvania (RxArts NEPA), all to support innovative projects and programs that work to transform the lives of women or girls across the Northeastern Pennsylvania region.

The grant award recipients and amounts were selected during the Spring Grants Meeting by Women in Philanthropy supporters, who had the opportunity to vote after hearing presentations from each nonprofit organization.

Women in Philanthropy (WIP) is a collective of more than 125 dedicated supporters committed to transforming the lives of women and girls in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Since its launch in 2014, this initiative of the Scranton Area Community Foundation has raised over $2 million and partnered with nearly 30 community organizations to create a measurable, lasting impact across the region. Women in Philanthropy proudly advances economic mobility in the area by addressing barriers to success, fostering leadership, and helping women build financial stability and independence. To learn more or become a supporter, visit www.supportnepawomen.org.

Penn State Scranton accepts a Women in Philanthropy grant to support its Financial Literacy Lunch & Learn Series for high school students. Pictured from left: Amy Betts, Community Impact Manager, Scranton Area Community Foundation; Desiree Voitek, Senior Director of Campus Development, Penn State Scranton; Nonna Sorokina, Assistant Professor, Penn State Scranton; and Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO, Scranton Area Community Foundation.

Scranton School District students accept a Women in Philanthropy grant supporting the Girls in STEM program. Pictured from left: Ellen Burkey, Board Chair, Scranton Area Community Foundation; Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO, Scranton Area Community Foundation; students Hazel Pacheco, Aryanee Sanchez, and Mirka Richeme; and Katona Miller, STEM Program Supervisor, Scranton School District.

Scranton Primary Health Care Center receives a Women in Philanthropy grant to support the Confident Smiles Program, providing restorative dental care to women in need. Pictured from left: Ellen Burkey, Board Chair, Scranton Area Community Foundation; Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO, Scranton Area Community Foundation; Joseph Hollander, CEO, Scranton Primary Health Care Center; and Amy Betts, Community Impact Manager, Scranton Area Community Foundation.

Providence Pregnancy Center accepts a Women in Philanthropy grant to support renovations to Casa de Maria, a safe and supportive housing space for women. Pictured from left: Ellen Burkey, Board Chair, Scranton Area Community Foundation; Anne O’Brien, Heather Murphy, Cecelia Carr, and Jessica Freyne, Providence Pregnancy Center; and Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO, Scranton Area Community Foundation.

Black Scranton receives a Women in Philanthropy grant to support Black Maternal Health Awareness programming. Pictured from left: Ellen Burkey, Board Chair, Scranton Area Community Foundation; Glynis Johns, Founder and CEO, Black Scranton; and Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO, Scranton Area Community Foundation.

CASA of Lackawanna County receives a Women in Philanthropy grant to support advocacy efforts for children in the foster care system. Pictured from left: Brittany Pagnotti, Director of Donor Relations and Communications, Scranton Area Community Foundation; Donna Kurzweil, CASA volunteer; Joan Peterson, Executive Director, CASA of Lackawanna County; and Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO, Scranton Area Community Foundation.

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic receives a Women in Philanthropy grant to support the RxArts NEPA program, promoting healing through music and the arts. Pictured from left: Christine Zike, Board of Directors and VP of Development, Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic; Chason Goldschmitz, Executive Director, Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic; and Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO, Scranton Area Community Foundation.

Penn State Scranton Offers CP/SCP Exam for HR Professionals

Calling Human Resource Professionals.

If you’re ready to move your career forward and preparing to sit for the CP/SCP exam, this course if for YOU and we’re here to help. Earning your SHRM-Certified Professional (SHRM-CP™) or SHRM-Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP™) credential can help you enhance your HR expertise, empower positive change in your workplace, and increase your earning potential.

Register online.

Penn State Scranton Offers Operations and Supply Chain Management Certificate

ASCM®, the Association for Supply Chain Management (formerly APICS®), is the global leader and premier source of leading-edge knowledge in operations and supply chain management. ASCM® has developed a comprehensive educational program designed for operations and supply chain professionals, and the northeastern PA campuses of Penn State University are collaborating to offer these prep programs to prepare individuals to take the certification exams.

Learn more on Penn State Scranton website.

Penn State Scranton Offers Real Estate Classes

Real estate classes at Penn State Scranton, designated and approved by the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission, are designed to prepare individuals for careers in the real estate field. Those seeking to sit for the Pennsylvania Real Estate Salesperson Exam must take both Real Estate Fundamentals and Real Estate Practice courses. Courses are offered in person at Penn State Scranton located in Dunmore PA. 

For registration and information, please visit: https://scranton.psu.edu/business-development-community-outreach/options/industry-focused/real-estate

Penn State Scranton SAT Prep Course

Penn State Scranton’s SAT Prep course offers high school students the opportunity to prepare for their SAT exams. By utilizing SAT-produced materials and practicing with retired test questions, students become familiar with the time issues and flow of the SAT test and they also review subject matter with instructors and develop strategies to successfully take the test. This SAT prep course is offered in-person at Penn State Scranton.

For information and registration visit: https://scranton.psu.edu/SAT-prep