Johnson College & Marywood University Sign Articulation Agreement

L-R: Kellyn Williams, Chief Academic Officer; Bill Burke, Vice President of Student and Academic Affairs; Katie Pittelli, Ed.D., President & CEO; Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D., president of Marywood University; Susan C. Turell, Ph.D., provost of Marywood University; Ann Boland-Chase, M.A., C.M.F.C., vice president for enrollment services and student success

Scranton, PA – January 21, 2020 – Johnson College and Marywood University signed an articulation agreement on Tuesday, January 21st at 1:30 P.M. in the Health Science Center at Johnson College. This agreement is the first of its kind between the two institutions. It will provide students with the opportunity to complete a two-year degree at Johnson College and then transition into Marywood University to complete a bachelor’s degree or transfer credits and continue their education through an articulation. The agreements allow for the following admission opportunities:

  • Graduates of Johnson College’s Associate of Science in computer information technology can transfer into Marywood University’s Bachelor of Science in computer science or Bachelor of Science information security;
  • Graduates of Johnson College’s Associate of Science in veterinary technology can transfer into Marywood University’s Bachelor of Science in biology.

Students transferring into Marywood’s programs must meet minimum cumulative grade-point average requirements and satisfy all other transfer requirements. All agreements become effective in the winter of 2020. Johnson College is currently enrolling for all associate degree programs related to the agreements.

“Establishing this with Marywood University is another way that Johnson College partners to serve the community. Creating a pathway for our students to a bachelor’s degree ensures that they have the opportunity to stack their credentials as a way to advance in their career. The administration at Marywood University have similar goals – they want to admit our students who have a great educational foundation to build upon.” said Katie Pittelli, President & CEO of Johnson College.

Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D., President of Marywood University said, “All of our regional institutions of higher education have the same goal in mind–to do what’s best for our students in order for them to realize their dreams. This collaboration speaks of our desire to help our students identify their passions and turn them into purposeful lives. Working together is always a win-win.”

Johnson College provides real-world, hands-on learning in a caring environment and prepares graduates to enter into or advance in their careers. Johnson College was founded in 1912, and is the region’s premier technical college, offering associate degrees in 14 programs. An emphasis on hands-on instruction is supported by a low student-to-teacher ratio. Located in Scranton on a 44-acre campus, Johnson is an accredited, private, non-profit, co-educational institution with a strong tradition of working with regional business and industry to ensure a skilled and qualified workforce. For additional information on Johnson College, please call 1-800-2-WE-WORK, email admit@johnson.edu, or visit www.johnson.edu.

Marywood University prepares students to have a positive impact on society at regional and global levels while providing each student with the foundation for success in an interdependent world. Marywood University is co-educational, comprehensive, residential, and Catholic. Founded in 1915 by the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the University serves men and women from a variety of backgrounds and religions. The University enrolls more than 2,500 students in an array of undergraduate and graduate programs. Committed to enriching human lives through ethical and religious values and a tradition of service and motivated by a pioneering, progressive spirit, Marywood provides a framework for educational excellence that enables students to develop fully as persons and to master professional and leadership skills necessary for meeting human needs.

Johnson College Announces 2020-2021 Tuition Freeze

Fall 2020 students are guaranteed two years at the same tuition rate

Scranton, PA – January 14, 2020 – After achieving record-setting enrollment this fall, Johnson College is announcing that tuition for 2020-2021 will not increase. The $17,700 annual tuition cost set for fall 2019 will freeze for the upcoming year. Freshmen will carry this same cost into year two of their studies.

Dr. Katie Pittelli, President & CEO, is proud of Johnson College’s ability to alleviate student debt burden. She shared, “Record-setting enrollment and smart fiscal management have led directly to this tuition freeze and our overall level of affordability for students.” 

Dr. Pittelli cites the College’s high, in-field placement rate, as a key reason students choose to attend the College in North Scranton. Johnson College programs are in such high demand that many students have job offers before graduation. Dr. Pittelli said, “The relationship the College has with industry partners is unlike any other. Industry calls and we answer. They guide our curriculum to ensure that our students become the talented employees filling their workforce needs.”

The tuition freeze will increase students’ return on investment. Dr. Pittelli shared, “Johnson College provides an opportunity for students to earn an affordable degree in just two years, acquiring less debt. Because of their valued skill sets, students are hired very quickly, leading to faster earnings growth, making their Johnson College education even more valuable.” A recent Georgetown University study reported that two-year college degrees and certificates have a higher return on investment within ten years after enrollment compared to four-year degrees from private and public colleges.

Between 94% and 97% of Johnson College students receive some type of financial aid. 

Spring 2020 classes are enrolling now for a January 21st start. The Fall 2020 semester begins on August 31, 2020.

Social Force Sponsors Giving Tree to Benefit Local Children

Johnson College student organization, Social Force, collected over 100 presents for more than 50 children in the Scranton area. The students sponsored a giving tree in the Moffat Student Center with the names of local children in need. Students, faculty, staff and alumni donated gifts to fulfill the wishes of every child. The donations went to two North Scranton Head Start locations as well as families identified by students and alumni. Under the supervision of Ms. Emily Holmes, Counselor & Manager of Disability Services, the giving tree at Johnson College has provided local children with presents for the last fourteen years.

Veterinary Technology Program Receives Grant to Support Low Income Spay & Neuter Clinic


Bethany Severn ’20; Kimberly Konopka, Veterinary Technology Department Chair ’07; Barbara Byrne, Associate Vice President of Faculty; Dr. Katie Pittelli, President & CEO; Megan Mould, Associate Vice President of College Advancement; Tracey Pratt, Manager of Development; Dr. Jayne Kubat, Veterinarian; Alex Inirio ’20; and Jolynn Lawler, Veterinary Technology Instructor ’07.

Johnson College is proud to announce that it has received a grant from The Robert H. Spitz Foundation, administered by the Scranton Area Community Foundation for $5,000. The grant money supports Johnson College’s Animal Care Center which serves the public to provide routine animal care. Specifically, the grant supports the center’s low income spay and neuter services.

The Johnson College Animal Care Center is a public animal clinic staffed by students, veterinary technicians, and a veterinarian from the veterinary technology program.

The low income spay and neuter program serves individuals who make less than $25,000 annually. With documentation, the services are administered at the clinic after an office visit deems the animal healthy enough for a surgical procedure.

Other veterinary services provided by the Animal Care Center include routine exams, dental care, and lab diagnostics. All visits and services are by appointment only. Please call 570-702-8961 to schedule.

The Robert H. Spitz Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports initiatives and programs serving the residents of Lackawanna County and Northeastern Pennsylvania. Robert H. Spitz was born in Scranton and was a 1955 graduate of Scranton Central High School and the University of Miami, Florida. Before retirement, Spitz had been employed by the U.S. Department of Labor and was also the owner of several local Arby’s restaurants. The Robert H. Spitz Foundation was established from his estate in 2015. To date, the Robert H. Spitz Foundation has provided over $1.3 million in funding to the community. For more information on the Robert H. Spitz Foundation, please contact the Scranton Area Community Foundation at 570-347-6203.

Spring Welding Classes to be Offered in January 2020

Johnson College is proud to announce that its Welding Technology Certificate will now be offered beginning in the spring semester, beginning in January 2020. Since 2012, Johnson College has offered the two semester, 30 credit certificate program. In previous years, the certificate was only offered in the fall semester which led to interested students having to wait to begin their coursework if they did not enroll by the summer.

The Welding Technology certificate course prepares students for entry-level work in the welding industry. Students learn about safety, hand tools, oxyacetylene torches, plasma arc, shielded metal arc welding (stick), gas metal arc welding (MIG), gas tungsten arc welding (TIG), flux cored arc welding, metallurgy, print reading, and weld symbols. This in-demand major at Johnson College starts a full cohort every year, and the College is proud of its placement rate of these students each year. The class of 2018 was 100% employed.

Bill Burke, Associate Vice President of Enrollment Services said, “Allowing students to enroll in our welding program in the spring semester is another way for us to get trained professionals out into the workforce faster.” According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for a trained welder is $41,380 annually and the state of Pennsylvania has the fourth highest employment of welders nationally.

“Industry is constantly reaching out to us for more and more trained welders, so we were able to find a way to fill an employer need and get more students into our classrooms,” said Burke. Top employers of certified Johnson College welders include Hendrick Manufacturing, Pleasant Mount Welding, Scranton Craftsman, Cheetah Chassis, Leeward Construction, Master Halco, and Standard Iron Works.

The spring semester at Johnson College begins on January 21, 2020, and interested students can apply through January 10, 2020. Interested students can apply at www.johnson.edu/apply or email the Enrollment Department at enroll@johnson.edu for more information. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify.