CEO of AllOne Foundation & Charities to Deliver 2023 Commencement Address

Johnson College has selected John W. Cosgrove, Chief Executive Officer of AllOne Foundation & Charities to give their 2023 commencement address to graduates on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at 10 a.m., at the College’s Scranton campus.

As CEO, Mr. Cosgrove has implemented the distribution of over $35.4 million in philanthropic resources to communities in all corners of the Northeastern and North Central Pennsylvania region. AllOne Foundation & Charities supports health care programs achieving high impact in Mental Health and Behavioral Health, Access to Care for Women & Children, Autism Services, Substance Abuse Disorder, and Food Security.

Mr. Cosgrove has nearly 40 years of experience in the private, non-profit, public and community service arenas. 

Before becoming CEO of AllOne Foundation & Charities in 2016, he was Vice-President of Condron & Cosgrove, a public relations and communications firm in downtown Scranton.

Mr. Cosgrove served as Executive Director of the Alliance of National Heritage Areas; a Washington, D.C.-based national non-profit association of economic and community development entities designated by the U.S. Congress.

He is a former Executive Director of the Lackawanna Heritage Valley, a State and National Heritage Area. In 2004, Lackawanna Heritage Valley received the Preserve America Presidential Award – the nation’s highest honor for historic preservation – presented in a White House ceremony by the President of the United States.

Mr. Cosgrove served in the administration of Pennsylvania Governor Robert P. Casey as the Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Citizen Service. He was instrumental in initiating the national service program, AmeriCorps, in Pennsylvania.

He served on the faculty of Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C., and was an early pioneer in the KAIROS Student Retreat Program. He was a co-chair of the Gonzaga International Volunteer Experience at the Ciudad de los Ninos orphanage in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Mr. Cosgrove is a Trustee of the Margaret Briggs Foundation, a member of the National Board of Directors of the Ignatian Volunteer Corps, and a former Chairman of the Board of NeighborWorks NEPA. He is the founding Chairman of First Night Scranton, the Housing Services Collaborative of Lackawanna County, and CityPride!  He has received the national J.C. Penny Golden Rule Award and the Founders Honor Roll Award from The Scranton School for Deaf & Hard of Hearing Children.

Mr. Cosgrove holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration from Southeastern University in Washington, D.C., and has completed the Executive Education programs in Health Care Management at the Yale University School of Management and in Nonprofit Profit Executive Leadership at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

He lives in Scranton with his wife, Eileen, and is the very proud dad of three grown daughters, Bridget, Molly, and Erin.

College Hosts Annual 3D Printing Competition

Johnson College hosted its annual 3D Printing Competition for local high school students on Friday at its Scranton campus.

The competition was an opportunity for students from Forest City, Wallenpaupack, and the Wilkes-Barre STEM Academy to showcase their abilities and creativity using science, technology, engineering, and math. Using 3D CAD (Computer Aided Design) skills, participants designed and printed gravity hooks that picked up objects of various weights and sizes.

The student who placed first, Michael Andrews from the Wilkes Barre Area STEM Academy, was awarded a $1,000 scholarship to Johnson College as well as a $50 gift card from Matterhackers. Second place was awarded to Danielle Holzapfel and third place to Kai Puma Stehlilk, both from Wallenpaupack Area High School.

The event, which was sponsored by OpenBuilds, The New Jersey Chapter of SAMPE, GreenGate3D, and Automated Lifestyles, featured a keynote address given by Stephanie and Isaac Budmen, founders of Budmen Industries, the manufacturer of the award-winning Buildini 3D printer. Some of the College’s local industry partners were also in attendance to discuss future employment opportunities with the students.

To learn more about Johnson College’s STEM opportunities for local school districts, visit johnson.edu.

New Two-Year Associate Degree in Aviation Technology

Students can now enroll in Johnson College’s new two-year Aviation Technology associate degree program scheduled to begin with the Fall 2023 semester.

The Aviation Technology program prepares students as entry-level technicians with the latest information on diagnosis, repair procedures, preventative maintenance, and necessary safety application in aviation technology. Through a partnership with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, students will complete airframe and power plant instruction in a lab located at the airport, pending approval by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. This opportunity will provide students with a very unique and hands-on learning experience in industry.

The program will provide students with the knowledge and skills outlined in the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Mechanics Airman Certification Standard (ACS) in preparation for the FAA licensure exam for general, airframe, and powerplant knowledge.

“The aviation technology industry expects rapid-paced growth within the next decade,” said Dr. Katie Pittelli, Johnson College’s President and CEO. “Johnson College is prepared to meet that demand by offering our students hands-on experience and training on campus and at in-field labs, giving them an advantage to succeed in this in-demand industry.

Students within this program will be prepared for careers in the aviation technology industry as aircraft mechanics, airframe mechanics, aviation technicians, aircraft specialists, and similar roles. Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the aviation technology field has a 6% growth potential through 2031. Graduates have the opportunity to earn a median annual income of up to $65,550.

“We’re excited to have this new partnership with Johnson College”, said Carl R. Beardsley, Jr., AVP Executive Director. “This new degree program will greatly benefit the aviation industry, and we support Johnson College in its efforts to meet the demand in these fields in the world of aviation.”

Johnson College has received a three-year Advanced Technological Education grant for $307,706 from the National Science Foundation to support the Aviation Technology program.

For more information about or to enroll in this program, please contact Johnson College’s Enrollment Department at 570-702-8856 or enroll@johnson.edu or visit johnson.edu/divisions-of-study/transportation/aviation/.

College Earns 2023-2024 Military Friendly® School Designation

Johnson College has earned the 2023-2024 Military Friendly ® School designation.

Institutions earning the Military Friendly ® School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. More than 1,800 schools participated in the 2023-2024 survey with 665 earning special awards for going above the standard.

The 2023-2024 Military Friendly® Schools list will be published in the May and October issue of G.I. Jobs magazine and can be found at www.militaryfriendly.com.

Methodology, criteria, and weightings were determined by Viqtory with input from the Military Friendly ® Advisory Council of independent leaders in the higher education and military recruitment community. Final ratings were determined by combining the institution’s survey scores with the assessment of the institution’s ability to meet thresholds for Student Retention, Graduation, Job Placement, Loan Repayment, Persistence (Degree Advancement or Transfer), and Loan Default rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans.

“Johnson College remains committed to helping our servicemen and women and their families further their education,” said Bill Burke, Vice President of Enrollment and Student Affairs at Johnson College. “The College’s dedicated staff assists with needs specific to military students. We provide dedicated space as well as priority scheduling and registration for our service members and veterans.”

“Military Friendly® is committed to transparency and providing consistent data-driven standards in our designation process. Our standards provide a benchmark that promotes positive outcomes and support services that better the educational landscape and provide opportunities for the Military Community. This creates a competitive atmosphere that encourages colleges to evolve and invest in their programs consistently. Schools who achieve awards designation show true commitment in their efforts, going over and above that standard.” – Kayla Lopez, National Director of Military Partnerships, Military Friendly®.

For more information about Johnson College’s student veteran programs, visit johnson.edu/veterans.

About Military Friendly ® Schools

The Military Friendly ® Schools list is created each year based on extensive research using public data sources from more than 8,800 schools nationwide, input from student veterans, and responses to the proprietary, data-driven Military Friendly® Schools survey from participating institutions. The survey questions, methodology, criteria and weighting were developed with the assistance of an independent research firm and an advisory council of educators and employers. The survey is administered for free and is open to all postsecondary schools that wish to participate. Criteria for consideration can be found at www.militaryfriendly.com.

About Viqtory:

Founded in 2001, VIQTORY is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) that connects the military community to civilian employment, educational and entrepreneurial opportunities through its G.I. Jobs® and Military Friendly® brands. VIQTORY and its brands are not a part of or endorsed by the U.S. Dept of Defense or any federal government entity. Learn more about VIQTORY at www.viqtory.com.

College to Host Women in Industry Event

In honor of Women’s History Month, Johnson College’s Special Programs Department will be hosting a Women in Industry event on March 29, 2023, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Health Science Center on the Johnson College Scranton campus.

The theme of this event will be women’s entrepreneurship, with a focus on how women can start their own businesses. It will feature two speakers: Donna J Kane, Branch Manager for Fidelity Bank, and Maggie Calpin, owner of Nibbles and Bits, a gourmet chocolate shop in Dunmore. They will use their expertise as fierce supporters of the community to inform, encourage, and inspire attendees to pursue opportunities in entrepreneurship.

The event will also feature an interactive chocolate-making activity with materials supplied by Nibbles & Bits.

This event supports the College’s Women in Industry initiative and its goals to provide networking opportunities, collaborate on industry-related projects, and support women in industries that are still considered “non-traditional.”

To learn more or to register for the event, visit johnson.edu/women-in-industry.

Closer Look Event at Five Star Equipment

Johnson College is hosting a Closer Look event at Five Star Equipment at 1300 Dunham Drive, Dunmore, PA, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Prospective students can learn more about the College’s Heavy Equipment Technology program while getting a sneak peek at new, industry-immersed classroom and lab space.

Johnson College’s two-year Heavy Equipment Technology Associates Degree program prepares students to succeed as well-trained, mechanically minded, hard-working technicians with heavy equipment dealers and contractors. Instruction involves classroom theory, live shop demonstrations, and repair of heavy equipment currently used in industry. Making repairs on actual equipment is vital to skill development.

The Johnson College Enrollment team, Heavy Equipment Technology faculty, and members of industry partner, Five Star Equipment, will be on hand to answer questions regarding the program, career opportunities, and the enrollment process.

For more information or to register, contact the College’s Enrollment department at (570) 702-8856 or enroll@johnson.edu.

To learn more about Johnson College’s Heavy Equipment Technology program, visit johnson.edu/divisions-of-study/transportation/heavy-equipment-technology.

Mike’s Welding and Industrial Services Donates Van to Johnson College in Memory of Employee

Recently, Mike Yushinski ’95 and his wife Melissa Yushinski ’11, both Johnson College alums and owners of Mike’s Welding and Industrial Services in Clarks Summit, PA, donated a 2011 2500 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van to Johnson College in memory of the company’s foreman and fellow Johnson College alum, the late Gary Muckin ’84.

Johnson College will use the donated van in community building trades technology services, and campus projects.

Photo Caption:

Mike’s Welding and Industrial Services in Clarks Summit, PA, donated a 2011 2500 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van to Johnson College in memory of the company’s foreman and Johnson College alum, the late Gary Muckin ’84. Left to right: Mark Chappell ’92, Senior Maintenance Mechanic, Johnson College; Karen Baker, Sr. Director of College Advancement, Johnson College; Melissa Yushinski ’11, owner of Mike’s Welding and Industrial Services; Mike Yushinski ’95, owner of Mike’s Welding and Industrial Services; and Roger Orlandini, Associate Vice-President of Facilities and Campus Projects, Johnson College.

Scranton Campus to Host Open House on March 25, 2023

Johnson College will hold an in-person Open House on its campus in Scranton on Saturday, March 25, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. To register for the Open House, visit Johnson.edu/openhouse or contact Johnson College’s Enrollment Department at 570-702-8856 or enroll@johnson.edu.

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 department chairs will be available to review the specifics of their programs. CDC guidelines will be implemented.

Now Enrolling Students in Forklift Operator Training Course

Johnson College’s Continuing Education program is offering a Forklift Operator Training Course on Sunday, March 19, 2023, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Diesel Truck Technology Center on the College’s campus in Scranton. The course costs $200, but if you are a current Johnson College student or alum, the cost is only $100. Space is limited! Visit johnson.edu/continuingeducation or contact our Continuing Education team at 570-702-8979 or continuinged@johnson.edu to learn more and enroll.

The forklift operator training is designed to familiarize students with OSHA Powered Industrial Truck Operator Training Requirements (29CFR Standard 1910.178 and ASME B56.1), provide current training requirements under the newly adopted standards, and assist participants in becoming an authorized operator of forklifts through theory and tactile testing. Nine hours of instruction, including pre-operational inspection, picking up, traveling, and placing loads, parking procedures, refueling, and practical operation.