Johnson College to Hold Instant Decision Day for Veterans and Current U.S. Military Service Members

Johnson College’s Instant Decision Day for Veterans and those currently serving in the U.S. Military will be held on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will be held virtually and in person on the College’s Scranton campus in Ideal Saldi Hall. To register to attend in person or virtually, visit Johnson.edu/instant.

During the Instant Decision Event, Johnson College will provide prospective veteran students and those currently serving in the U.S. military with an immediate enrollment decision. They must supply their high school transcripts and can bring their college and military transcripts if applicable. It is highly recommended that the prospective student completes an application before attending.

Applications for Johnson College’s Physical Therapist Assistant, Radiologic Technology, and Veterinary Nursing programs are excluded from instant decisions.

Johnson College Receives EITC Contribution from Peoples Security Bank & Trust

Johnson College received a $12,000 EITC contribution from Peoples Security Bank & Trust to support the College’s Industry Fast Track program.

Peoples Security Bank & Trust’s contribution to Johnson College is part of Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. The program offers businesses a tax credit for supporting state-approved educational improvement programs. Johnson College is approved to accept EITC contributions in support of its STEM outreach programs and Industry Fast Track program.

Johnson College’s Industry Fast Track program offers high school students from participating area school districts an opportunity to enroll simultaneously in secondary and post-secondary coursework at Johnson College. The course meets state requirements for high school graduation while providing college-level courses. Students remain enrolled full-time at their high school while attending classes on the College’s campus.

To learn more about EITC opportunities with Johnson College, visit https://johnson.edu/eitc/

Pictured left to right: Dr. Katie Pittelli, President & CEO, Johnson College; J. Patrick Dietz, Johnson College Chairperson and Senior Vice President, Peoples Security Bank and Trust.

Johnson College Hosts Annual Scholarship Breakfast

Johnson College hosted its annual Scholarship Breakfast today, November 13, at Fiorelli Family Catering in Peckville. The event recognized the scholarship recipients and honored the generous donors who made scholarships available to students.

The College awarded 82 students with scholarships. Andrew Abrams, a second-year student in Johnson College’s Veterinary Nursing program and recipient of the Johnson College Presidential Scholarship and the Janie Lamberton Memorial Scholarship served as the student speaker at the event.

“I deeply appreciate the financial support these scholarships provide for me and many other students who rely on this assistance to continue their education,” Abrams said.

He stated that the generosity of the scholarship donors and the support from Johnson College allows him to pursue his studies and dream of helping pets lead long and healthy lives.

The event also featured keynote speaker, Dave Thomas, Secretary of the Villa Capri Cruisers Car Club incorporated, a club that has long supported the College and its Automotive students through scholarship opportunities. 

The event was sponsored by industry partners including Cardinal LG, SIMONA, Ball, and Mesko Glass.

The breakfast concluded with the scholarship awards presentation by Katie Pittelli, Ed.D., president and CEO of Johnson College, and Jeanine Engelmann, Ed.D., Chief Academic Officer of Johnson College. The presented awards included:

AAA North Penn Annual Scholarship, Isaiah Cassel;

Al Pantuso Automotive Scholarship, Andrew Adonizio;

Andrew Mazza Memorial Scholarship, Christopher Rosa;

Anthony Ploskonka Memorial Scholarship, Alyssa Nicholas and Emma Danowsky;

Bartolai Family Scholarship Fund, Nico Carter;

Chris Pambianco ’65 Vocational Education Award, Jacob Holmes and Hanaa Gohsler;

CMC Rich Vinansky Memorial Golf Tournament Scholarship, Olivia Musto;

Dr. George J. Hallesky Memorial Scholarship (Scranton Area Foundation), Ryan Boyanowski;

Islyn Thomas Achievement Award, Cameron Hedgelon;

Ed Vogel Memorial Scholarship of the NEPA Chapter of the Antique Truck Club of America, Camron Mcmillan;

Edgar A. and Ida M. Alekna Foundation, Nathan Dixon, Daniel Marcus, Hunter Smith, and Michael Chapman;

F. David Mercanti Memorial Scholarship, Connor Angelo;

Frank and Jean Hubbard Scholarship, Chase Ferranti and Peter Stefanelli;

Hawk Family Foundation Scholars, Donald Church and Jordan Stine;

Irene Ploskonka Memorial Scholarship, Cole Chesna and Jarrel Johnson;

Janie Lamberton Memorial Scholarship, Andrew Abrams;

Jefferson Township Lions Scholarship, Peter Stefanelli;

John K. & Mary E. Blackledge Memorial Scholarship, Logan Rehrig and McKenzie Gavin;

John R. and Maureen J. Pesavento Johnson College Scholarship (Scranton Area Foundation), Jacob Muracco;

John T. Gerod Scholarship, Emma Shedden;

Margaret Briggs Scholarship, Jonathan Merlen and Anthony Marsico;

Moses Taylor Foundation Careers in Healthcare Scholarship, Colleen Cannon-Augustine, Adam Rosencrance, Dilyara Akhmedova, Nicholas Novak, Amari Grey, Malana Vega, Stacey Turk, and Hannah Chapman;

MotorWorld Lexus Scholarship, Hunter Landers and Bruce Kohut;

North Eastern Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association Veterinary Nursing Scholarship, Briana Kaufman;

Northeast Suicide Prevention Initiative Scholarship, Gerard Dolinsky;

P. Fricchione and Sons Scholarship, James Anderson;

Pocono Mountain Street Rod Association, Hunter Landers and Camron McMillan;

Ross Family Foundation Scholarship, Weston Nugent and Hanaa Gohsler;

Ruth Stitt Morgan Memorial Scholarship, Ashlee Coe;

Scranton UNICO Foundation Scholarship, Maximus Fitzpatrick;

Sean J. Calpin Automotive Technology Scholarship (Scranton Area Foundation), Hunter Landers;

Sebastian “Sebby” Amico Memorial Scholarship, Caiden Stancik;

Society of Broadcast Engineers, Chapter II Scholarship, Michael Novotka;

The John R. O’Hara Scholarship, Aaron Evans;

Thomas Hesser Scholarship, Robert Roa;

Thomas J. Perry Scholarship, Vincent Rinaldi;

Vernon “Terry” Decker Scholarship, Michael Novotka;

Villa Capri Cruisers Car Club, Inc. Scholarship, Camron McMillan;

Vince Bartolai Memorial Biomedical Equipment Technology Scholarship, Amari Grey;

Orlando S. Johnson Merit Award, Jordan Bowen and Liberty Graves;

Johnson College Presidential Scholarship, Andrew Abrams, Michael Andrews, Carter Mistishin, and Charlize Barhite;

Johnson College Moffat Merit Award, Dravyn Falsone and Keith Rowlands;

Johnson College Richmond Merit Award, Emma Danowsky and Holly Scielzo;

Johnson College Technology Merit Award, Ethan Gardiner and Samantha Warner;

FAA Aviation Maintenance Technical Workers Workforce Development Program Scholarship, Matthew Alden, Benjamin Amaya, Joshua Ayala, Christopher Berroa-Mereno, Tahj Bond, Zachary Brown, Pierry Chatelain, Holsen Estime, Michael Fordham, Raphiel Garcia, Kyle Garofolo, Janitza Gonzalez-Caban, Frank Goodwin, Jaylen James-Thomas, Anthony Leombruni, Tanner Little, Logan Rehrig, Amara Rubino, Connor Steele, Amir Vernon.

Johnson College Receives $50,000 POWER Planning Grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission

Johnson College has been awarded a $50,000 Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) planning grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to support the College in planning and developing a new vehicle maintenance technology laboratory.

The vehicle maintenance technology laboratory is one of four components of Johnson College’s comprehensive, five-year capital campaign, “Innovation at Work,” which focuses on creating an environment for growth and success. The laboratory will consolidate three of Johnson College’s four vehicle maintenance programs – Automotive, Heavy Equipment, and Diesel Truck Technology – into one efficiently shared space with the latest high-tech training equipment for traditional and electric vehicles, and advanced alternative fuel technologies. The three programs are all currently housed in different locations on the College’s Scranton Campus.

During this project’s planning and development phase, the College will combine programmatic review with industry partners’ and consultants’ recommendations to determine laboratory location, design, curriculum, and technologically advanced equipment that best meets the needs of the growing and changing transportation industry. The planning project will include a feasibility/site study phase and architectural design phase. Faculty and administration will also tour several successful industry and educational facilities to see best practices in operation.

Johnson College plans to match the funds from the POWER planning grant to further support the success of this project and its overall mission to provide the best industry-focused, hands-on learning that prepares students to enter the workforce and adapt to the changing needs of industry.

The POWER planning grant is part of the Appalachian Regional Commission’s Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) initiative. This initiative provides funding to support communities and regions affected by job losses in coal mining, coal power plant operations, and coal-related supply chain or logistics industries due to the changing economics of America’s energy production and the coal economy. The POWER Initiative supports efforts to create a more vibrant economic future for coal-impacted communities by cultivating economic diversity, enhancing job training and reemployment opportunities, creating jobs in existing or new industries, and attracting new sources of investment.

About the Appalachian Regional Commission

The Appalachian Regional Commission is an economic development entity of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 423 counties across the Appalachian Region. ARC’s mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia to help the region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation.

Johnson College Scranton to Host Fall Open House on November 2, 2024

Johnson College will hold its Fall Open House on Saturday, November 2, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on its Scranton campus. To register to attend the Open House, visit Johnson.edu/openhouse or contact Johnson College’s Enrollment Department at 570-702-8856 or enroll@johnson.edu.

The Open House will include discussions about the admissions process, information about financial aid for those who qualify, and student services such as student life, student support, and career services. Plus, same-day acceptance will be available for many programs if students bring their high school or college transcripts. Tours of each technical area will be conducted and program directors and instructors will be available to review the specifics of their programs.

Johnson College Partners with Road Runner CDL Academy to Launch CDL Training in NEPA

In response to the regional and national demand for CDL truck drivers, Johnson College has partnered with Road Runner CDL Academy to offer Class A CDL Driver Training at the truck driving school located at 6 S. Keyser Avenue in Taylor, PA.

The 160-hour course, managed by Road Runner CDL Academy, blends 40 hours of detailed classroom instruction with 120 hours of practical, behind-the-wheel training. Automatic and manual transmission training options are available. The course features a flexible training schedule with experienced instructors and can be completed in as little as four weeks.

Students will learn to inspect and operate tractor-trailers and to assume driver responsibilities on the road and at pickup/delivery points. Emphasis will be placed on vehicle inspections, defensive driving, range maneuvers, motor carrier safety regulations (DOT 380-397 and a certificate for entry-level drivers), trip planning, cargo handling, size/weight laws, general maintenance procedures, hours of service, and accident prevention.

Participants must have a driver’s license and clean motor vehicle record (MVR) before registering for the course. Participants must complete the Department of Transportation (DOT) drug screen and physical. A valid CDL permit is required before the second week of class.

“As our economy continues to grow and evolve, the need for efficient and reliable CDL drivers is becoming increasingly critical,” said Ashley Bechaver, Director of Continuing Education at Johnson College. “Johnson College’s partnership with Road Runner CDL Academy will support industries throughout our region and beyond with in-demand, class-A CDL training.”

The course complies with the new Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) rules established by the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration (FMCSA), which took effect in February 2022.

After completing the CDL Training course, students will earn a certificate of completion from Johnson College and the qualifications for one of the most in-demand careers in the nation. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual pay for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers is $54,320.

To learn more or to enroll in the Class A CDL Driver Training course, visit johnson.edu/cdl or contact the College’s Continuing Education department at continuinged@johnson.edu.

Johnson College Hazleton to Host Fall Open House on October 17, 2024

Johnson College Hazleton will hold its Fall Open House on Thursday, October 17, 2024, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the CAN DO Training Center located inside the Humboldt Industrial Park at 370 Maplewood Drive in Hazle Township. To register for the Open House, visit Johnson.edu/hazletonopenhouse or contact Johnson College’s Enrollment Department at 570-702-8856 or enroll@johnson.edu.

The Open House will include discussions about the admissions process, information about financial aid for those who qualify, and student services such as student life, student support, and career services. Plus, same-day acceptance will be available for many programs if students bring their high school or college transcripts. Tours of each technical area will be conducted and program directors and instructors will be available to review the specifics of their programs.

Johnson College Programs Receive American Design Drafting Association Certification

Johnson College’s Architectural Drafting & Design Technology and Civil Design Technology 2-year Associate Degree programs have been awarded curriculum certifications from the American Design Drafting Association (ADDT) for the 2024-25 academic year.

The ADDA Curriculum Certification is a specialized copyrighted program certification developed by ADDA to assist education facilities and vocational training institutions in aligning their educational process to meet or exceed industry standards. The Curriculum Certification process is based on a thorough review of criteria used within the training program and requires teacher and facility certifications as well as standard auditing processes.

While the Architectural Drafting & Design Technology program has been certified in the past, this is the first time the College’s Civil Design Technology program has received certification.

Jim Burden, Johnson College Associate Director of Faculty and Program Director of the Architectural Drafting & Design Technology and Civil Design Technology programs became professionally certified with ADDA in 2014 and has held the title of ADDA Certified Educator since beginning his career at Johnson College five years ago.

“The certification of the Civil Design Technology program has been a goal of mine since its inception and has now come to fruition, for the benefit of our Civil students and recognition of the quality of the course of study,” said Burden.

Johnson College Receives $95,000 Grant from AllOne Foundation

Johnson College has been awarded a $95,000 grant from AllOne Foundation to update training equipment for its health science programs and to support community outreach to school-age and adult learners interested in pursuing training in the healthcare industry. The grant will assist the College in addressing Northeastern Pennsylvania’s healthcare workforce needs.

Providing students at Johnson College with the latest technology used in modern clinical settings is essential to their industry-focused, hands-on learning. The upgraded, cutting-edge equipment acquired through this grant will prepare students from Physical Therapist Assistant, Radiologic Technology, Biomedical Equipment Technology, and Medical Assistant programs for any environment they encounter during internships and post-graduate careers.

These upgrades will include a SynDaver Silicone Anatomy Model, which will allow Physical Therapist Assistant students to best understand the muscles that they will work in their daily careers; a portable digital X-ray machine for Radiologic Technology students; and an EKG machine for Biomedical Equipment Technology students.

Using Johnson College’s Careers in Healthcare RV, previously funded by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Healthcare Foundation and the Moses Taylor Foundation, the College will also visit regional schools, healthcare and employment fairs, and camps to meet with residents and discuss opportunities for careers in the healthcare field. Sample equipment within the RV will give people an inside look at careers in the Physical Therapist Assistant, Radiologic Technology, Biomedical Equipment Technology, and Medical Assistant fields.

To learn more about Johnson College’s health science programs, visit Johnson.edu.

Pictured left to right in front of a SynDaver Silicone Anatomy Model: John Cosgrove, CEO, AllOne Foundation; Dr. Katie Pittelli, President & CEO, Johnson College; Frank Apostolico, board member, AllOne Foundation; and Heather DeFazio, Physical Therapist Assistant Program Director, Johnson College.