Johnson College Receives Grant for After School STEM Experience Program Johnson College received a $10,000 grant that will support the college’s After School STEM Experience Program, which introduces middle school students to science, technology, engineering and mathematics through engaging, project-based activities. The After School STEM Experience Program will serve 100 seventh- and eighth-grade students from economically disadvantaged and diverse backgrounds in Lackawanna County, including students from NativityMiguel School, Old Forge, Scranton South, Scranton West, Carbondale Area, Susquehanna Community and Lakeland school districts. Held three days a week for four weeks at participating schools, the program allows students to explore robotics, 3D printing, electric circuits, computer programming and computer numerical control (CNC) machining. These experiences strengthen critical-thinking and problem-solving skills while introducing students to engineering and advanced manufacturing concepts. “We’re grateful to the PPL Foundation for investing in the future of our community,” said Dr. Katie Pittelli, president and CEO of Johnson College. “This grant allows us to introduce students to new ideas, technologies and career possibilities at an important stage in their education. By encouraging curiosity and building practical skills, we’re helping young people see new possibilities for their future while strengthening the pipeline of skilled professionals our region depends on.” The program reflects Johnson College’s commitment to expanding educational access and preparing future generations for technical careers that support regional workforce needs. By partnering with local school districts, the college reaches students who may not otherwise have access to STEM enrichment outside the classroom. School principals and guidance counselors help identify students with an interest in these fields, ensuring the program reaches those who will benefit most. Johnson College also provides institutional support to help make the program possible.
Leadership Lackawanna accepting applications for Fall 2026 Executive Program cohort Leadership Lackawanna is accepting applications through Tuesday, September 8 for its Fall 2026 Executive Program cohort. The Executive Program is designed to assist professionals in becoming more engaged in the community, broadening their social network and increasing their overall knowledge of the greater Scranton area. Through weekly sessions, participants meet key business and community leaders and receive an overview of Lackawanna County’s history, economic/political structures, cultural affairs, community events/activities, civic groups and recreational/leisure amenities. Sessions are conducted one evening per week, for six consecutive weeks, at various locations throughout the community. Each session is held from 5:00-8:00 p.m. and includes cocktails and dinner. The program is open to public and private sector administrators/professionals in executive-level positions. Candidates must have industry experience that demonstrates a steady career progression. In addition, candidates must live, work or play in the greater Scranton area and should possess an interest in learning how Lackawanna County functions and a commitment to enhancing the area’s economy and quality of life. Learn more about the program and apply by clicking here.
Marywood University receives $11,000 EITC donation Marywood University has received an $11,000 Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) donation, which will support the University’s Momentum Program. The contribution will help expand opportunities for high school students who participate in the dual enrollment program. It allows juniors and seniors to earn college credits while completing their high school graduation requirements. “Marywood University is grateful to Pagnotti Enterprises, Inc. for their generous support of the Momentum Program and their commitment to expanding access to educational opportunities for local students,” said Lisa A. Lori, J.D., President. “Partnerships like this help empower the next generation of learners by providing meaningful experiences that prepare them for future academic and professional success.” Momentum offers a variety of college-level courses during the summer, fall and spring semesters. Students enrolled in the program experience the same curriculum, instructional materials and academic expectations as Marywood University students.
Lackawanna Historical Society Program Honors Women Vets On Valentine’s weekend, the Lackawanna Historical Society will present “A Love Letter to My Sister Soldiers” on Sunday, February 16, at 2 pm at the Society’s headquarters, the Catlin House, 232 Monroe Avenue, Scranton. Join Janice Gavern to share stories and honor the women currently serving today, including Capt. Lacie Hester, an Air Force airman who was recently awarded a Silver Star for her performance in an enormous drone fight. Janice is a Scranton native and Air Force Veteran who continues to serve her country as the deputy commander for Women Veterans Issues at the 15th District American Legion Department of Pennsylvania. She is also the historian for Gardner Warner American Legion Post 154 in Montrose, Pennsylvania, and the acting historian for Gladys Watkins American Legion Post 550, which once existed in Scranton. For more information or to register, please call the Society at 570-344-3841 or email lackawannahhistory@gmail.com.
PennDOT: Voting Open for Paint the Plow ProgramPennDOT: The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) District 4 invites the public to vote on 12 plows decorated by high school students in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Wayne, and Wyoming counties as part of the annual Paint the Plow program. Paint the Plow is a statewide outreach aimed at promoting winter driving safety and fostering appreciation for high school art programs and student creativity. Earlier this year, PennDOT invited students/teens from District 4 to paint plow blades based on the statewide theme “Use Your Reason When It’s Freezin,” The theme was chosen to remind motorists that seat belts save lives and should be worn year-round. Students from Carbondale Area High School, Delaware Valley High School, Dunmore High School, Hanover Area High School, Hazleton Area High School, Honesdale High School, North Pocono High School, Northwest High School, Old Forge High School. Riverside High School, Tunkhannock High School, and West Scranton High School participated. This year, the public is invited to vote through an online survey posted on the PennDOT website District 4 Paint the Plow Voting 2024. The voting form can be found by clicking on the county names within the table. Additional Paint the Plow art programs were held throughout the state and the public may vote on their favorite from each participating district. Participation is limited to one vote per person per district. The plow photo in each district that receives the most votes between December 10 and December 15, 2024, will be deemed the “Fan Favorite” for that area. Along with the “Fan Favorite” award, the blades are also eligible for the“Judges’ Pick” honor that will be determined by PennDOT personnel. The winner in each category will be announced at the end of December. Schools and participants are encouraged to share the link to the contest to promote voting. PennDOT may post thepictures on statewide and regional Facebook accounts, however responses on social media will not count toward the voting totals. For more information on PennDOT’s winter preparations and additional winter-driving resources for motorists, visit the department’s winter website.
Applications Open for Nonprofit Leadership Certificate Program Calling Nonprofit Leaders: Applications for Cohort 5 of The University of Scranton’s Nonprofit Leadership Certificate Program now being accepted: The University of Scranton Nonprofit Leadership Certificate Program is designed to be a comprehensive, practitioner-focused course that tackles the pressing leadership challenges of high-potential nonprofit leaders throughout northeastern Pennsylvania. The program positions participants to successfully address both 1) their own personal leadership goals and capacity, and 2) a key organizational goal/capstone project that will strengthen their nonprofit organization. It combines classroom instruction, peer group work, coaching and mentoring, and reflective assignments to help participants to take a transformative step in their leadership journey. Applications are due on September 20, 2024, and the program will officially kick-off in January of 2025. Two separate informational webinars have been scheduled to provide an overview of the program and to answer any questions from prospective applicants. The application, program booklet, and webinar schedule can all be found at www.nepa-alliance.org/nlcp/. NLCP Info Guide
Scranton Tomorrow Recycling Program Yep. It’s true. We’re spilling the beans on our new recycling program! Did you know … even if you toss your used coffee pods into the recycling bin, they are not being recycled in Lackawanna County? That’s because these convenient little pods can only be recycled if they are fully deconstructed. That’s too labor intensive to be practical. So, they add to the pile in the landfill. Don’t worry. We have a solution! In honor of America Recycles Day on November 15, Scranton Tomorrow’s Safe, Clean & Green Team is launching a program to recycle single-use coffee pods in partnership with the City of Scranton, Lackawanna County, and NeighborWorks of Northeastern Pennsylvania. How you can participate. Through the month of November, simply save your used pods instead of throwing them away. Once you’ve gathered a bunch, contact Steve Ward, Downtown Safe, Clean & Green Ambassador Team Leader at Scranton Tomorrow, at 570.963.5901 or steve@scrantontomorrow.org to make arrangements for drop-off. We’ll send all pods to a specialized recycling facility where components will be separated, the plastic part will be recycled and remanufactured, and the coffee grounds will be composted. Learn More Email Steve Ward to Sign Up Partners The single-use coffee pod recycling program in Lackawanna County is a project of Scranton Tomorrow in partnerships with:
PennDOT, KPB Name Students Chosen for Young Ambassadors Program The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful (KPB) today announced the slate of Young Ambassadors of Pennsylvania for 2022-2023. The new-to-Pennsylvania program seeks to build community stewards and civic leaders by inspiring, engaging, and empowering young Pennsylvanians to not only keep their communities clean and beautiful but also become ambassadors in their community for a shared vision of a clean and beautiful Pennsylvania. The program, being administered by KPB, was recommended in the commonwealth’s litter action plan, announced by Governor Tom Wolf in November 2021. Students applied to the program and were chosen through a competitive application process. The students have committed to eight months of service as an ambassador while representing and upholding the mission and values of KPB. From October through May 2023, they will also develop civic leadership skills and experience to champion and advocate for clean and beautiful communities across Pennsylvania. 2022-2023 Young Ambassadors of PA: Allegheny County Andy Forrester, Grade 11, Pine-Richland High School;Cale Klaff, Grade 12, Pine-Richland High School;Eli Majocha, Grade 12, Highlands High School; andLuke Anderson, Grade 10, Pine Richland High School. Bradford County: Corben Conklin, Grade 11, Athens Area High School. Butler County: Carmen Skal, Grade 12, Butler Senior High School. Cambria County Jensen Westrick, Grade 12, Central Cambria High School; andMaddie Ostinowsky, Grade 12, Bishop Carroll Catholic High School. Chester County Henri Brunel, Grade 12, Conestoga High School; andNaomi Tzoanos, Grade 11, Owen J. Roberts High School. Columbia County: Brady McNamara, Grade 11, Central Columbia High School. Cumberland County Ania Chandra, Grade 12, Cumberland Valley High School;Morgan Stellfox, Grade 10, East Pennsboro Area School District; andZahra Anjum, Grade 11, Cumberland Valley Virtual Academy. Dauphin County: Eleana Rijo, Grade 10, Susquehanna Township High School. Delaware County CJ Chen, Grade 11, Strath Haven High School; andSage Baker, Grade 10, Strath Haven High School. Erie County Emma Burkett, Grade 12, Northwestern High School;Tanvi Udgiri, Grade 11, Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy; andGianna Stewart, Grade 11, Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy. Indiana County Anna Layden, Grade 11, Purchase Line Junior Senior High School; andVia Krimin, Grade 12, Indiana Area Senior High School. Lackawanna County: Grace Beckish, Grade 10, North Pocono High School. Lancaster County: Stella Blue Weaver, Grade 12, JP McCaskey High School. Lehigh County Adrian Chavez, Grade 10, Nazareth Area High School; andSiddhant Khandelwal, Grade 12, Parkland High School. Lycoming County: Jaden Nixon, Grade 12, St. John Neumann Regional Academy. Monroe County: Rese Schlameuss, Grade 11, East Stroudsburg High School South. Montgomery County Claudia Brach, Grade 12, Perkiomen Valley High School;Ri Sringari, Grade 12, Perkiomen Valley High School; andRudra Patel, Grade 12, Souderton Area High School. Philadelphia County: Minping Nie, Grade 11, Central High School. Pike County: Fawn Dutcher, Grade 10, East Stroudsburg High School North; andAngelique Smalls, Grade 11, East Stroudsburg High School North. Washington County: Abby Salzman, Grade 12, California Area High School.
