Johnson College announces that two employees have been promoted.

Stephenie Vergnetti has been promoted to Vice President of Human Resources and Senior Advisor to the President & CEO. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Marywood University and a Master’s in Human Resources from the University of Scranton. Ms. Vergnetti has been with the College since 2012 and resides in Clarks Summit with her husband and two sons.

Barbara Byrne M.Ed., R.T. (R) (MR) has been promoted to Associate Vice President of Faculty and Continuing Education and also is the Program Director for Radiologic Technology. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Science from Misericordia University and a Master’s of Education from Concordia University. Ms. Byrne has been with the College since 2011 and resides in Moosic with her husband and two daughters.

Johnson College has selected Eileen Cipriani, deputy secretary for workforce development at the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry to give the 2019 commencement address to graduates on Saturday, May 18th, 2019 at 10 a.m. at the Theater at North.

As the deputy secretary for workforce development, Ms. Cipriani oversees the commonwealth workforce system, which includes 23 local workforce areas. She is also responsible for the Center for Workforce Information and Analysis, the Office for Labor Market Information, the PA State Workforce Development Board and the commonwealth’s newly established Apprenticeship Training Office.    

Under her leadership the newly created Office of Apprenticeship and Training has greatly expanded, not only the number of apprentices statewide, but also the diversity of occupations. Ms. Cipriani has been instrumental in interagency projects, such as the Next Generation Sector Strategy model to significantly improve the way in which state government addresses business needs and efforts to share interagency resources and data.

Prior to her deputy secretary appointment, Ms. Cipriani was acting director for the State Workers Insurance Fund (SWIF) in Scranton where she was responsible for the management and day-to-day activity of SWIF staff and programs in eight district offices.

In addition to her work as Deputy Secretary, she is also a member of the STEM Advisory Committee, TEAM PA, the PA Interagency Health Equity Team, PA Assistive Technology Council, Aging Council Workforce Workgroup and the Environmental Quality Board.

She holds a bachelor of science from Bloomsburg University and a master’s degree in organizational management from Misericordia University.

Ms. Cipriani lives in West Wyoming, PA with her husband. They have two grown children.

Johnson College is proud to announce the promotion of Liz Renda as the College’s Chief Financial Officer. Ms. Renda began her career in higher education at Johnson College in 2011. She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Scranton.

Ms. Renda brings to the College over 15 years of accounting experience and involvement as a community leader. She volunteers annually with the Jude Zayac Foundation and is active in activities at St. Clare/St. Paul School in Scranton.

Ms. Renda is excited to continue her journey at Johnson College and said, “I fully support the College’s mission to provide a hands-on education that is affordable for all students. I look forward to working with the administration to carry out financial priorities that will positively impact the campus and our students.”

Katie Pittelli, President & CEO of Johnson College is excited to continue working with Ms. Renda as she grows into her new role and said, “We are looking forward to Ms. Renda’s financial leadership and guidance 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.”

Ms. Renda resides in Scranton with her husband and two children.

On January 15th, Katie Pittelli, President & CEO and Kellyn Nolan, Chief Academic Officer announced Johnson College’s newest program, Building and Property Maintenance. 

The one-year certificate program prepares students to enter the workforce ready to perform general maintenance and repair. Graduates will have industry credentials and will be cross-trained in Carpentry, Electrical Construction, and Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning. Employers seeking trained technicians include residential or business complexes, schools, hospitals, and more.

President Pittelli spoke about the program to an audience of faculty, staff, and industry partners:

“After many months of feasibility conversations and planning, we are very excited to announce to the campus community and our industry partners that a new program of study will begin in 2019. Building and Property Maintenance will allow a new path for students to not only achieve a credentialed certificate, but will also provide them with a path toward a two-year degree in one of three interconnected majors. Enrollment for this program will begin immediately.”

Ms. Nolan detailed the benefits this program will have, not only on industry, but for all types of students:

“First, it is a pathway for a person to achieve a position as an entry-level maintenance technician, a job that is sought in all kinds of industries. This is not limited to custodial work, but the maintenance of lighting, heating, and upkeep that all buildings need.

Second, it is an option for a student who is hesitant to commit to a two-year program. By aligning the Building and Property Maintenance curriculum with that of the Building Trades and Technology Curriculum- Heating Ventilation, and Air Conditioning, Carpentry, and Electrical Construction, we have created a way for someone to come back for a second year and earn an associate’s degree.

Third, it is an opportunity to upskill. When we say upskill, we mean training current employees to work better and more efficiently. The Building and Property Maintenance certificate program allows organizations a resource to send an employee here, to Johnson College, to improve upon their skills to better serve the organization.”

For more information on the Building and Property Maintenance program, please click here. 

For questions regarding enrollment, please call 570-702-8856 or email enroll@johnson.edu. 

 

Johnson College Carpentry & Cabinetmaking Technology students recently completed a community service project to benefit the Factoryville Christmas Market. The students erected four storefronts to be used at the market on December 8th and 9th in the Factoryville Borough. Greg Yanko, of the borough council, arranged the project with Todd Campbell, Carpentry & Cabinetmaking Technology Instructor, and ten students in the freshman class were chosen to complete the storefronts. The project allowed them to create structures that will benefit the community for years to come. Mr. Campbell said the “students learned different types of joinery as well as teamwork and project organization.” Three students led the building of the storefronts – Derek Peters, Eli Fuentes and David Kosch.

Johnson College student organization, Social Force, collected over 100 presents for more than 60 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 fourteen years.

President Honors students who have finished fall semester with a 3.90 GPA or higher

Katie Pittelli, President & CEO of Johnson College, has announced the President’s List of students who have completed the Fall 2018 semester with a grade point average of 3.90 or higher.

William Bennett, Physical Therapist Assistant

Nicholas Bush, Architectural Drafting & Design Technology

George Campbell, Computer Information Technology

Jerry Coyle, Computer Information Technology

Valerie Crandall, Architectural Drafting & Design Technology

Andrew Giardina, Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Technology

Adrian Gonzalez, Radiologic Technology

Brian  Hill, Computer Information Technology

Brandon Hudacko, Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning

David Hudak, Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Technology

Joseph Iannielli, Electrical Construction & Maintenance Technology

Tommy Ibarrondo Vega, Electrical Construction & Maintenance Technology

Stephanie Laskowski, Automotive Technology

Regina McCaffery, Radiologic Technology

Christopher Mecca, Electrical Construction & Maintenance Technology

Joseph Morin, Automotive Technology

Christine Noldy, Radiologic Technology

Jennefer Petliski, Radiologic Technology

Matthew Robinson, Computer Information Technology

Daniel Schultz, Computer Information Technology

Bethany Severn, Veterinary Technology

Maura Speicher, Physical Therapist Assistant

Joseph Stoffey, Computer Information Technology

Benjamin Terry, Electronic Engineering Technology

Patrick Walker, Architectural Drafting & Design Technology

Kerri Wydeen, Radiologic Technology

Do you love a challenge? Do you enjoy working with wood and being creative?

Then please join us on Saturday, December 8th for the Johnson College 1” x 12” Challenge! This event is open to high school students, college students, Johnson College Alumni, and the general public. There is no fee to participate and prizes will be awarded to the first and second place winners.

Contestants will build an object out of wood using the material from a 1” x 12” x 96” (3/4” x 11 ¼” x 96”) board. The contestants can build anything they want – furniture, art work, household items, instruments, etc. First place and second place prizes will be awarded in each of the following three divisions: High School, College, and Advanced.

 

High School Division	1st place – $1,000 scholarship to Johnson College 2nd place – DeWalt drill/driver kit
College Division	1st place – DeWalt drill/driver 2nd place – $ 75.00 gift card
Advanced Division	1st place – DeWalt drill/driver 2nd place – $ 75.00 gift card

Rules of the Challenge

• Any species of wood can be used. The board cannot exceed 1” x12” x 96” nominal size. (Home Depot has pine 1×12 boards for around $17.00). Glue, nails, dowels, screws, etc. can be used in the construction.
• In addition to your creation, you will need to show drawings and sketches of your idea. Please take a picture of your material before you start, pictures of various stages of the building process, and a picture(s) of the final product. These will be used during the evaluation of your project.

This contest works on the honor system. Each contestant is expected to use no more than the allowed material. Contestants should build their own projects. Contestants must accompany their creation to the judging which will be held in the Carpentry Shop in Woolworth Hall at Johnson College. Judging begins at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 8, 2018. Please have your project delivered and ready for judging by 9:30 a.m.

All questions regarding the contest can be directed to Todd Campbell, Department Chair of Carpentry and Cabinetmaking Technology, at tcampbell@johnson.edu, or 570-702-8913.
Please reserve your place in the competition by e-mailing to tcampbell@johnson.edu by December 4th.

One entry per contestant please.

In case you haven’t heard, Johnson College has been recognized by Forbes!

Johnson College has joined the rankings of premiere technical education by being ranked #10 on Forbes Top 25 Two-Year Trade Schools. Of 700 schools considered, Johnson College was recognized as one of the most prominent when it comes to “high-earning alumni, stand-out graduation and retention rates, and respectable debt repayment scores,” according to Forbes. The list of schools highlights industry that seeks a skilled workforce, education that is affordable and accessible. The list was based on IPEDS, College Score Card, and Pay Scale data. The methodology of the list is guided by the question, “What should a high school senior be looking for in higher education?” and according to Forbes, it is “a gateway to a great career.”

For more information about the designation, please click here.

To celebrate this great occasion, we are inviting students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community friends to purchase limited edition apparel! To purchase, please click the image below!