Johnson College received an $8,991.00 grant from The Robert Y. Moffat Family Charitable Trust to be used for a STEM Outreach Expansion Project. The goal of the project is to bring science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) concepts to school-aged children in Northeast Pennsylvania.

The College hosted a workshop at McNichols Plaza Elementary on Wednesday, January 10^th to utilize a portion of the STEM materials they were able to purchase through the grant. As a part of the McNichols Plaza STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) Night series, Johnson College staff facilitated the use of littleBits with children in 3rd to 5th grade and their parents.

The inventive kits are explained on their website as, “Kits composed of electronic building blocks that are color-coded, magnetic, and make complex technology simple and fun. Together they’re interchangeable in millions of different ways to empower kids to invent anything.” Using directional cards, and guidance from staff and parents, students created circuits similar to flipping a light switch, ringing a doorbell and controlling volume on a radio. Each combination of circuits produces a different outcome and has a real-world application for young children to understand. All of the directions and pieces to the kits are kid friendly with bright colors and describing words to guide the activity.

Amanda Montoro, a teacher at McNichols Plaza, was excited to welcome Johnson College to the school. The elementary school recently received a grant from Race to the Top for Education that focuses on parent involvement, which inspired STEAM Night. “Our love of STEAM education led us to develop a plan of having 4 STEAM Nights this year where parents could come out with their children and experience STEAM for themselves.  Any time we can collaborate with families, the children always benefit.” She emphasized the importance for STEAM experiences for elementary aged children and how the school will incorporate all grades through this programming this year. “STEAM programming is important for children of all ages.  The reason we have divided the grades this month is that students in grades 3-5 are a bit more independent and can handle different types of activities than students in the younger grades.  We plan to have another STEAM night for grades PreK-2nd in a couple weeks. STEAM programming promotes problem solving skills and higher levels of thinking for all students.  Our hope is that with more STEAM programs, our students will become independent thinkers and will not rely on others to tell them what to do or how to solve problems in their everyday lives. ”

“STEM careers are in-demand, and students can learn about the newest technology with help from Johnson College staff and the support of the Robert Y. Moffat Family Charitable Trust,” said Tracey Pratt, Manager of Development at Johnson College. “Our goal is to have local students become familiar with STEM at a young age and find value in these principles so they can better understand career opportunities and goals throughout elementary and into high school. Of course, we also want students and teachers to become aware of the technical education opportunities available at Johnson College.”

For more information, or to inquire about having a STEM activity at your school, please contact:

Tracey Pratt
Manager of Development
tpratt@johnson.edu

The Board of Directors of Johnson College have selected Katie Leonard to be the next President & CEO of Johnson College, effective July 1, 2018.

Ms. Leonard currently serves as the Executive Vice President of the College and began her tenure in January of 2007 as the College’s Coordinator of Grants and Annual Fund. From there, she had continued success in the areas of fundraising and community outreach which led her to become the Director of Development, Director of Institutional Advancement, and then on to Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Senior Vice President of College Advancement. Over the last ten years, Ms. Leonard’s contributions to the College have been innumerable. In her time with the College, Ms. Leonard formed industry relationships, reestablished the alumni program, increased annual giving, and initiated the College’s rebranding in 2011. She executed the College’s first-ever capital campaign in 2013 which raised, comprehensively, over $5 million to build the new Health Science Technology Center on campus, the largest building project to date.

At an all-college meeting on Thursday with faculty and staff of the institution, Ms. Leonard expressed her excitement to her peers: “My vision for Johnson College is one with a significantly larger and more diverse student body that will be immersed in industry from day-one, preparing for the jobs of the future. As a campus community, we have laid the foundation for the Johnson College we wish to see in the future and together, we will continue to work on bringing that vision into focus. We have started down this path together and we will forge new paths together. We will set high expectations, be willing to hold each other accountable and never, ever settle for the status quo. I look forward to leading us as we evolve into the Johnson College we are envisioning.”

Additionally, David Boniello, alumnus of the class of 1984 and chair of the Board of Directors said: “We [administration, Search Committee, and Board of Directors] have spent the last nine months preparing for new leadership at Johnson College by seeking the best candidate to hold the position of President and Chief Executive Officer. As a graduate, community member, and representative of this institution, this decision was very important to me – and something myself and the rest of the Search Committee have taken very seriously. We have come to a decision as a committee and have the support from the entire Board of Directors. The President and CEO is a person who must be a fearless leader, a champion for positive change, and someone who holds our Johnson College values true. Katie embodies these qualities and we look forward to working with her as we move Johnson College forward.”

Ms. Leonard holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from York College of Pennsylvania, a Master of Arts degree in organizational leadership from Mansfield University, and is pursuing her doctor of education through Capella University.

Before bringing her talents to Johnson College, Ms. Leonard held multiple positions in York, PA, working with government officials and non-profit organizations. In York, she was the Executive Director of Downtown Inc., York’s Main Street Program. Ms. Leonard has also made great contributions to the community outside of her roles with Johnson College. She serves on the board of directors of NeighborWorks of Northeastern Pennsylvania, The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce’s LIFE Board, and is a past board member of the Lackawanna Home Builders Association.

 

 

 

Johnson College student organization, Social Force, collected presents for over 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. 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 thirteen years.

Dr. Ann L. Pipinski, President & CEO of Johnson College, has announced the President’s List of students who have completed the Fall 2017 semester with a grade point average of 3.90 or higher.

Brandon Butler, Automotive Technology

Sarah Carey, Architectural Drafting & Design Technology

Jerry Coyle, Computer Information Technology

James Davis, Computer Information Technology

Brandon Emmett, Biomedical Equipment Technology

Marsha Geiser, Veterinary Technology

Andrew Giardina, Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Technology

Adrian Gonzalez, Radiologic Technology

Jordan Hoinsky, Electrical Construction & Maintenance Technology

Brandon Hudacko, Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning

Clinton Kramer, Electrical Construction & Maintenance Technology

Ryan Molloy,  Radiologic Technology

Jovanne Morales, Veterinary Technology

Brandon Perini ,  Architectural Drafting & Design Technology

Matthew Robinson,  Computer Information Technology

Natalie Serrano,  Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning

Heather Smith,  Physical Therapist Assistant

Maura Speicher,  Physical Therapist Assistant

Benjamin Terry, Electronic Engineering Technology

Walter Tompkins,  Automotive Technology

Luke Zalewski,  Electronic Engineering Technology

Sophomore Brandon Caputo of the Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology program has received a $1,250 Career & Technical Education Scholarship from Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc. This scholarship is awarded to students who have faced and overcome great obstacles in their lives who wish to pursue a career or technical education at an accredited non-profit post-secondary institution in the United States. He is the first Johnson College student to receive the award in several years and was one of only 25 recipients in the state of Pennsylvania.

The scholarship opportunity was broadly promoted by the Johnson College financial aid department last spring, and was highly endorsed by administration as a reputable award that recognizes exemplary students pursuing technical occupations. Caputo said “I was so excited to receive the email that I was a 2017 Horatio Alger Career & Technical Scholar. I am honored to receive this scholarship, as it will play a key role in helping me achieve my degree. Because of the generosity of Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc., the financial burden placed on me to pursue my education has been greatly reduced.”

The award was especially rewarding for Caputo, a graduate of Riverside Jr./Sr. High School, as he explained how he attributed his college success to a late friend and classmate who passed away before his second year at Johnson College. Caputo’s appreciation for the award and recognition was clear when he said, “I feel that career and technology students are often overlooked when it comes to scholarships. It is very kind of the Horatio Alger Association to give scholarships not just to ‘traditional’ college students, but to career and technology students.”

More on Horatio Alger: http://bit.ly/2z3TYUt

Johnson College is proud to announce the hiring of Kellyn Nolan as the College’s Chief Academic Officer. Ms. Nolan began her career in higher education in 2010. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and masters in human resource management from Goldey-Beacom College, and is a Ph.D. candidate for a degree in leadership in higher education administration at Capella University.

Ms. Nolan brings to the College several years of experience in higher education and much experience as a community leader. The former director of the Lackawanna College Lake Region Center has also served on numerous community boards and committees including Wayne Tomorrow, Wayne and Pike Workforce, Leadership Wayne, Pennsylvania Association for College Admissions Counseling, and National Association for College Admissions Counseling.

Ms. Nolan is excited to begin her journey at Johnson College and said, “I fully support the College’s mission to provide educational experiences that include real-world experience and advanced technologies. I hope to influence the curriculum and faculty to provide innovative ideas and creative pathways for our students, while collaborating with industry to identify new emerging program areas.”

Katie Leonard, Executive Vice President of Johnson College is excited to welcome Ms. Nolan to the College and said, “We are looking forward to having Ms. Nolan as a part of Johnson College’s continued tradition of producing highly skilled technical graduates who have an immediate and direct effect on Northeast Pennsylvania.”

Johnson College is proud to accept a generous donation of a diesel truck from FedEx Freight valued at $3,000. The 2006 Volvo Daycab Semi Truck will benefit the Diesel Truck Technology program by providing another truck for lab instruction. Jason Kozemko, Diesel Truck Technology Instructor said, “The College established a relationship with FedEx Freight after the 2017 Spring Career Fair on campus.  After the fair and some introductions to Johnson College students and staff, Greg Moser, Fleet District Maintenance Manager wanted to take a tour of our diesel shop to learn more about the program and view the facility.” Mr. Moser was very impressed with the program and the technicians Johnson College produces each year.

This new relationship led to his idea of providing the College with a newer truck for students to work on. On the day of the truck delivery, Mr. Moser spoke to the students about job opportunities with FedEx Freight and the type of employees they seek. “The FedEx truck will allow us to deliver class lessons that go above and beyond what students learn in a text book,” said Kozemko. “We are proud to have established a relationship with FedEx Freight because their time, talents, and generosity help us produce technicians that will excel in the workforce.”

Johnson College is proud to announce that it has been ranked at #5 in the Top 50 Veterinary Technician Programs by thebestcolleges.org. According to its website, “The listed vet tech programs are accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association and prepare graduates to take the necessary exams for certification or licensure. The programs lead to an associate degree, which requires completing general education courses in addition to veterinary classes.” The ranking places Johnson College on the map, just behind Purdue University, the University of New Hampshire, and two schools from the State University of New York system. This is a huge honor for Johnson College as its program was established in 1994.

Additionally, the College will recognize National Veterinary Technician Week from October 15-21. This annual event, organized by The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA), recognizes veterinary nurses and technicians for their contributions in pet healthcare, as well as veterinarians, assistants, practice managers, and others involved in pet care.

The Veterinary Technology program at Johnson College prepares students to join an animal-care team as entry-level technicians.  Technicians collect samples, perform lab tests, take radiographs, prepare the surgical suite, assist in surgery, monitor anesthesia, provide general nursing care to patients, and assume other clinical duties.  Second-year students complete clinical rotations in the Animal Care Center, a pet wellness center on the campus of Johnson College.  A five-week internship or cooperative education experience at an approved site must be completed after the last semester of the second year to complete the degree requirements.  The program prepares students to become Certified Veterinary Technicians (CVT) upon passing the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE).

The hands- on experience for students begins in week one and continues through their two years of study. Throughout four semesters of classes, students gain experience in equine and bovine facilities, the on-campus rodent colony, on-campus canine and feline colony, and experience working with public customers at the Animal Care Center on campus.

The success of the program has landed many graduates at reputable animal care centers. Some of the employers of our students include Memorial Veterinary Hospital of Old Forge, Northeast Veterinary Referral Hospital, Veterinary Referral & Emergency Center, Endless Mountain Veterinary Center, Leighow Veterinary Hospital, Bloomsburg Veterinary Hospital, Inc., and Banfield Pet Hospital. Additionally, it has led to careers working with reptiles in zoos as well as in research.

Kimberly Konopka, ’07, Program Director of Veterinary Technology at Johnson College said, “We strive to provide the most up to date educational experience for our veterinary technology students and we take pride in their success.” Konopka also mentioned that all of the instructors in the program are graduates of Johnson College. “It is important that we share our knowledge from working in animal hospitals with the next generation of technicians,” she added.

The instructors spend their summers working in the field. Konopka said, “it is important that we keep our skills sharp and continue to educate ourselves on new techniques and changing technology.” Staff members attended the Committee on Veterinary Technician Education & Activities conference in New Mexico this summer to improve their skills in educating the veterinary technology student. The bi-annual conference is held specifically for educators in this field.​

For more information on how you can enroll in the Veterinary Technology Program, please click here.

Johnson College held its 25th Annual Johnson College Open on May 19, 2017 at Blue Ridge Trail Golf Club in Mountain Top, PA.  Thanks to the generosity of local sponsors and participation by students and alumni, the College exceeded its fundraising goal by raising a total net revenue of over $42,000 for the Presidential Scholarship Fund, which this year was awarded to three students. The recipients are Alexis Lanza, Radiologic Technology; Richard Cucura, Physical Therapist Assistant Program; and Benjamin Griffis, Carpentry & Cabinetmaking Technology.