Johnson College faculty members Rick Fornes and Mathew Cirba have received the Andrew Zwanch Excellence in Teaching Award for their commitment to teaching excellence, inspiring students, and fostering a positive, dynamic hands-on learning environment.

Fornes, ’94, division chair, Electronic & Industrial, and program director of Electronic Engineering Technology, received the award in fall 2025. Cirba, ’09, program director and instructor of Computer Information Technology, received the award in fall 2026.

As part of the recognition, award recipients serve as grand marshal of the College’s commencement ceremony, leading the processional into the ceremony and the recessional at its conclusion. Fornes served as grand marshal for Johnson College’s 107th Annual Commencement Ceremony in 2026. Cirba will serve as grand marshal for the College’s 108th Annual Commencement Ceremony on May 12, 2027.

The award honors Andrew Zwanch, a 1982 Johnson College graduate who dedicated 37 years to the College as an employee, beginning in 1988. Zwanch retired in 2025.

During his career at Johnson College, Zwanch taught students preparing for careers in manufacturing and machining and played an integral role in shaping the College’s hands-on approach to technical education. He also served as an academic adviser for a period.

The Andrew Zwanch Excellence in Teaching Award is presented annually to a member of the Johnson College faculty who demonstrates a commitment to excellence in teaching, inspires students, and fosters a positive, dynamic learning environment.

PHOTO CAPTIONS

Rick Fornes:
Rick Fornes, ’94, division chair, Electronic & Industrial, and program director of Electronic Engineering Technology at Johnson College, received the Andrew Zwanch Excellence in Teaching Award in 2025.

Mathew Cirba:
Mathew Cirba, ’09, program director and instructor of Computer Information Technology at Johnson College, received the Andrew Zwanch Excellence in Teaching Award in 2026.

Johnson College celebrated three industry leaders whose businesses and community involvement have made a lasting impact across Northeastern Pennsylvania, particularly in Wayne and Pike counties, during its 2026 Celebration of Industry on Thursday, Sept. 24, at Hotel Anthracite in Carbondale.

The College honored the Genzlinger Family, Marshall Machinery Inc., and Rob Grimm with the President’s Spirit of Giving Award. More than 200 business and community leaders attended the event, which supports Johnson College’s academic programs, student resources and facilities.

“Tonight, is about celebrating the partnerships that make Johnson College, our students and our entire region stronger,” said Dr. Katie Pittelli, president and CEO of Johnson College. “Our honorees have invested in people, created opportunities, and given back to their communities. Their support makes a real difference for our students and the future of our region.”

The Genzlinger Family, represented by Grant, Jeanne, and Justin Genzlinger, was recognized for its leadership in hospitality, historic preservation, and regional economic development through Settlers Hospitality. The family has invested in its employees and community while supporting workforce development through employee training, hiring Johnson College graduates, and helping connect the College with opportunities to provide training and employment resources to individuals at the Wayne County Correctional Facility.

Marshall Machinery Inc., led by President Earl Marshall, was honored for its longstanding contributions to agriculture, equipment, and workforce development throughout the region. The company has supported Johnson College and its students through equipment donations, youth agriculture initiatives, internships, career fairs and training opportunities. Marshall Machinery also established a fund through the Wayne County Community Foundation to support agriculture and heavy equipment mechanic training, as well as agriculture-related grants.

Rob Grimm, vice president of Grimm Construction Inc., was recognized for his leadership in the construction industry and his longtime commitment to the communities the company serves. Grimm Construction has supported workforce development by hiring Johnson College graduates, participating in Building Trades program advisory committees, and helping prepare students for careers in the industry. The company has served Wayne County and surrounding communities for more than 50 years.

Emcee Ryanne Jennings, president and CEO of the Wayne County Community Foundation, highlighted the honorees’ commitment to their employees, communities, and future workforce.

“These businesses take care of their staff, they take care of their community, and they take care to build a pipeline of future staff and a community that’s willing and able to support their business,” Jennings said.

Each honoree received the President’s Spirit of Giving Award, a steel sculpture designed and created in 2023 by members of Johnson College’s Welding Technology program. The award represents the connection between students, industry and community.

“Partnerships like these help our students discover what they’re capable of, build confidence and prepare for meaningful careers,” Pittelli said. “We’re grateful to the Genzlinger Family, Marshall Machinery and Rob Grimm for believing in our students and investing in the future of our region.”

Photo Caption:

Johnson College honored three Northeastern Pennsylvania industry leaders at its 2026 Celebration of Industry on Sept. 24 at Hotel Anthracite in Carbondale. The Genzlinger Family, Marshall Machinery Inc., and Rob Grimm received the President’s Spirit of Giving Award for their leadership, community involvement, and commitment to workforce development.

From left: Earl Marshall, president of Marshall Machinery LLC, Ryanne Jennings, president and CEO of the Wayne County Community Foundation, Dr. Katie Pittelli, president and CEO of Johnson College, Heather Genzlinger, director of retail, Settlers Hospitality, Justin Genzlinger, CEO and owner, Settlers Hospitality, Jeanne Genzlinger, founding partner, Settlers Hospitality, Rob Grimm, vice president of Grimm Construction Inc., Grant Genzlinger, founding partner, Settlers Hospitality.

Johnson College received a $5,000 grant from the Fastenal BK5K Youth Fund Committee to support the College’s Girls on Fire events. Girls on Fire is a unique one-day STEM event designed for 6-9th grade students to explore career opportunities in non-traditional STEM fields.

The event is an integral part of the College’s Women in Industry Initiative and is held in conjunction with International Women’s Day. The Girls on Fire event includes tours of Johnson College’s campuses, presentations about industry experiences from women working in non-traditional STEM fields, and hands-on activities related to many of the programs offered at the College.

Fastenal’s support helps Johnson College continue its mission to inspire young women to pursue rewarding careers in STEM and the trades. By connecting students with real-world experiences and industry professionals, the College aims to break down barriers and empower the next generation of women in technical fields.

The BK5K, a 5-kilometer road race and walk, is held to honor Bob Kierlin, founder of Fastenal Company and lifelong supporter of youth programs. All proceeds support local youth organizations/programs that demonstrate financial need, where races are held. Learn more at https://www.bk5k.com/.

About Johnson College

Johnson College provides real-world, hands-on learning in a supportive environment and prepares graduates to enter into or advance in their in-demand careers. Johnson College was founded in 1912 and is the region’s only technical college, offering 15 associate degrees, five academic certificates, and hundreds of continuing education programs. A low student-to-instructor ratio supports an emphasis on hands-on learning. Located in Scranton on a 44-acre campus with a satellite campus serving the greater Hazleton area, the College is an accredited, private, non-profit, co-educational institution with a strong tradition of working with regional businesses and industries to ensure a skilled and qualified workforce. For additional information on Johnson College, please call 1-800-2-WE-WORK, email enroll@johnson.edu, or visit Johnson.edu.

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Photo Caption

Johnson College received a $5,000 grant from the Fastenal BK5K Youth Fund Committee to support the College’s Girls on Fire events. Pictured left to right: Tim Frank, Director of Community Engagement, Johnson College; Whitney McDonald, S-HUB Help Desk Manager, Fastenal; Marcelo DeSousa, Regional Operations Manager S-HUB, Fastenal; Dr. Katie Pittelli, President and CEO, Johnson College; Karen Baker, Senior Director of Grants & Foundation Relations, Johnson College.

Johnson College offers WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act)-approved career training designed to help eligible individuals gain skills and industry credentials that can support new career opportunities or advancement in their current field.

Through Johnson College’s Workforce Advancement & Value-Added Education (WAVE) program, individuals can enroll in career-focused training at any time and complete programs 100% online. Books and materials are included, and certification exam vouchers may be available for select programs. Some courses also include instructor-led support and guidance.

Johnson College offers 13 career-focused training courses in areas such as electronic health records, medical billing and coding, professional bookkeeping with QuickBooks, sales representative and more. The programs provide opportunities for learners to develop practical skills and pursue industry-recognized certifications aligned with their professional goals.

WIOA-approved training is available to eligible individuals seeking to gain new skills, change careers or strengthen their qualifications for employment. Individuals interested in WIOA-approved training at Johnson College can learn more about available programs, eligibility requirements and how to get started at johnson.edu/wave or by contacting wave@johnson.edu.

PA CareerLink® Lackawanna County – a proud partner of the American Job Center network.

About Johnson College

Johnson College provides real-world, hands-on learning in a supportive environment and prepares graduates to enter into or advance in their in-demand careers. Johnson College was founded in 1912 and is the region’s only technical college, offering 15 associate degrees, five academic certificates, and hundreds of continuing education courses. A low student-to-instructor ratio supports an emphasis on hands-on learning. Located in Scranton on a 44-acre campus with a satellite campus serving the greater Hazleton area, the College is an accredited, private, non-profit, co-educational institution with a strong tradition of working with regional businesses and industries to ensure a skilled and qualified workforce. For additional information on Johnson College, please call 1-800-2-WE-WORK, email enroll@johnson.edu, or visit Johnson.edu.

Johnson College received a $10,000 grant from the PPL Foundation. The funds 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.

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.

“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 PPL Foundation announced the recipients of its Spring 2026 grants, awarding $200,000 to support 30 organizations working to enhance inclusion and belonging and create better outcomes for all.

About the PPL Foundation

The PPL Foundation empowers communities in Pennsylvania and Rhode Island by supporting student success from cradle to career and promoting the development of vibrant and sustainable communities. To learn more, visit pplcares.com.

About Johnson College

Johnson College provides real-world, hands-on learning in a supportive environment and prepares graduates to enter into or advance in their in-demand careers. Johnson College was founded in 1912 and is the region’s only technical college, offering 15 associate degrees, five academic certificates, and continuing education programs. A low student-to-instructor ratio supports an emphasis on hands-on learning. Located in Scranton on a 44-acre campus with a satellite campus serving the greater Hazleton area, the College is an accredited, private, non-profit, co-educational institution with a strong tradition of working with regional businesses and industries to ensure a skilled and qualified workforce. For additional information on Johnson College, please call 1-800-2-WE-WORK, email enroll@johnson.edu, or visit Johnson.edu.

(pictured left to right): Tim Frank, Director of Community Engagement, Johnson College, Michael Narcavage III, Regional Affairs Director, PPL , Dr. Katie Pittelli, President & CEO, Johnson College, Dr. Kellyn Williams, Associate Vice-President of Special Programs, Johnson College

As of Aug. 31, the first day of the 2026-27 academic year, 743 students are enrolled across Johnson College’s Scranton and Hazleton campuses, a 7% increase over the beginning of the 2025-26 academic year. This marks the College’s eighth consecutive year of record enrollment.

The continued growth comes as Johnson College expands its academic offerings, facilities and access to career-focused education throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania.

This year’s incoming class includes more than 330 first-year students and more than 100 high school students enrolled in the College’s Industry Fast Track early college program.

The continued enrollment growth comes at a time when colleges and universities across the country are facing a shrinking pipeline of traditional college-age students, making Johnson College’s sustained growth particularly notable.

“Our continued enrollment growth demonstrates the value students and families place on career-focused education and the opportunities it can provide,” said Bill Burke, vice president of enrollment and student affairs. “Students are looking for programs that prepare them for careers where their skills are in demand, and Johnson College continues to expand those opportunities to meet the needs of both students and employers.”

The College’s Hazleton campus experienced a 35% enrollment increase over last year, including its largest incoming classes to date in HVAC and Electrical Construction Technology. The growth comes as Johnson College expands the programs and opportunities available at the Hazleton campus.

For the 2026-27 academic year, Johnson College introduced six new academic offerings. Computer Information Technology added three new concentrations: Cybersecurity, Scripting and Application Development, and Network Management. Mechatronics Technology added two new concentrations: Automation and Robotics and Industrial Mechanics. The College also introduced a new Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology with Plumbing option. For the first time, the two new Mechatronics Technology concentrations and the HVAC with Plumbing option are being offered at the Hazleton campus.

The new offerings are contributing to significant enrollment growth across several areas. Enrollment in HVAC programs increased 15%, including both the traditional HVAC option and the new HVAC with Plumbing option. Enrollment in Mechatronics Technology more than doubled, combining the new Automation and Robotics and Industrial Mechanics concentrations. Computer Information Technology enrollment increased 50% following the addition of its three new concentrations.

“We’re seeing tremendous growth at our Hazleton campus, and that growth reflects the demand for technical education in the communities we serve,” Burke said. “By bringing additional programs to Hazleton, we’re giving more students access to career opportunities close to home while responding to the workforce needs of employers throughout the region.”

Building on the new HVAC with Plumbing option, Johnson College will further expand its plumbing education offerings in spring 2027 with the launch of a one-year Plumbing Academic Certificate program at both the Scranton and Hazleton campuses.

Johnson College also expanded its physical footprint this year by adding the new Transportation Technology Center on Wyoming Avenue in downtown Scranton. The facility now houses lab space for the College’s Diesel Truck Technology, Diesel Preventative Maintenance Technology and Automotive Technology programs, providing students with expanded space for technical training.

Other core programs, including Carpentry & Cabinetmaking Technology, Aviation Technology, Welding, Veterinary Nursing and Radiologic Technology, also continued to show strong enrollment.

“These enrollment numbers are another indication that students are responding to the opportunities available at Johnson College,” said Dr. Katie Pittelli, president and CEO. “Our growth is allowing us to expand our programs, invest in new facilities and bring more career-focused education to students across Northeastern Pennsylvania. Our strong relationships with industry partners are an important part of that growth. By working directly with employers, we can ensure our programs teach the technical skills, knowledge and soft skills students need to succeed in today’s workforce. That connection between education and industry is at the heart of what we do at Johnson College.”

About Johnson College

Johnson College provides real-world, hands-on learning in a supportive environment and prepares graduates to enter into or advance in their in-demand careers. Johnson College was founded in 1912 and is the region’s only technical college, offering 15 associate degrees, five academic certificates, and hundreds of continuing education courses. A low student-to-instructor ratio supports an emphasis on hands-on learning. Located in Scranton on a 44-acre campus with a satellite campus serving the greater Hazleton area, the College is an accredited, private, non-profit, co-educational institution with a strong tradition of working with regional businesses and industries to ensure a skilled and qualified workforce. For additional information on Johnson College, please call 1-800-2-WE-WORK, email enroll@johnson.edu, or visit Johnson.edu.

Johnson College was invited to participate in the Lowe’s Foundation Building Futures Skilled Trades Coalition, the largest cross-sector skilled trades coalition in U.S. history. The coalition brings together more than 75 organizations from across the country to help train and develop 1 million people for skilled trades careers by 2035.

The coalition comes as the United States faces a significant skilled trades workforce shortage, with an estimated 2.1 million skilled trades jobs potentially going unfilled by 2030, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

For Johnson College, the initiative builds on more than a century of preparing students for careers in the skilled trades and its continued commitment to meeting workforce needs through career and technical education.

“Preparing skilled technicians and technologists for meaningful careers has always been at the heart of what we do,” said Dr. Katie Pittelli, president and CEO of Johnson College. “Being invited to join this coalition allows us to work alongside organizations across the country to create more opportunities for people to discover, prepare for and succeed in the skilled trades.”

The coalition brings together educators, businesses, workforce organizations, corporate leaders, industry vendors and other stakeholders, including NVIDIA, AT&T, Bank of America, Carrier, General Motors, DEWALT and Duke Energy.

The Building Futures Skilled Trades Coalition will focus on three key areas:

• Changing perceptions of careers in the skilled trades;
• Investing in, connecting and scaling proven training and credentialing solutions; and
• Collectively measuring progress from training to employment.

The coalition builds on the Lowe’s Foundation’s Gable Grants program, which launched in 2023 and has grown into a national network of 73 community colleges and nonprofits across 30 states. Johnson College was one of just 12 institutions of higher education nationwide selected to receive a Lowe’s Foundation Gable Grant in 2025, receiving $450,000 to support skilled trades education. The success of the Gable Grants program helped lead the foundation to expand its national mission to train and develop 250,000 tradespeople by 2035 through a $250 million investment.

“The next industrial revolution won’t be built by algorithms alone. It will be built by the millions of skilled trade professionals who power, connect and move this country forward,” said Marvin Ellison, Lowe’s chairman and CEO. “Today, through this coalition, we are answering the call from hundreds of existing partners to lead an even larger unified national effort that will redefine what’s possible when leaders from different sectors rally behind a common purpose.”

Coalition members will work across industries, including construction, automotive manufacturing, telecommunications, energy, HVAC, technology and financial services, to strengthen the skilled trades talent pipeline from recruitment through career advancement.

 

About Johnson College

Johnson College provides real-world, hands-on learning in a supportive environment and prepares graduates to enter into or advance in their in-demand careers. Johnson College was founded in 1912 and is the region’s only technical college, offering 15 associate degrees, five academic certificates and hundreds of continuing education courses. A low student-to-instructor ratio supports an emphasis on hands-on learning. Located in Scranton on a 44-acre campus with a satellite campus serving the greater Hazleton area, the College is an accredited, private, nonprofit, coeducational institution with a strong tradition of working with regional businesses and industries to ensure a skilled and qualified workforce. For additional information on Johnson College, please call 1-800-2-WE-WORK, email enroll@johnson.edu, or visit Johnson.edu.

About the Lowe’s Foundation

The Lowe’s Foundation, an independent 501(c)(3) organization founded by Lowe’s, is solving the critical skilled trades labor shortage and helping fulfill dreams for the next generation of Pros. To learn more about the Lowe’s Foundation, visit LowesFoundation.org and follow on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.