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.

Just before the start of the fall 2017 semester, Johnson College received a generous donation from United Gilsonite Laboratories (UGL) in Scranton. The manufacturer, established in 1932, produces home improvement products and prides itself in community support. The nearly $800 donation of a variety of wood stains, polyurethane wood protectors, wood patch, and spackle will support the Carpentry & Cabinetmaking Technology program by providing budget relief to supply costs.

The family owned business, which has been around for more than 85 years, believes in becoming part of the community. Michele Neary, Public Relations Director at UGL said, “We are so excited to be partnering with Johnson College. It is a perfect fit for us.” Additionally, she said her company hopes to further the carpentry industry by allowing students to use new quality materials in the classroom. “By donating products to Johnson College we hope to ignite student curiosity and inspire educators to reimagine learning.  We understand that igniting curiosity and inspiring educators is sometimes difficult on the strict budgets of education institutions.  We hope with our product donation instructors in the Carpentry & Cabinetmaking Technology program can be more powerful in the student’s professional development.”

Todd Campbell, Department Chair of Carpentry & Cabinetmaking Technology said, “The support of UGL will allow our students to be introduced to some of the newest products being used in the field. This year we plan to experiment with some of UGL’s new water based stains and polyurethane.” The supplies are already being put to use since the beginning of the semester in late August. Johnson College looks forward to continuing the relationship with UGL through potential internships or job placements or by having guest speakers talk to current students about product development and manufacturing.

Johnson College is proud to announce the establishment of the Andrew Mazza Memorial Scholarship. Funded by the Andrew Mazza Memorial Foundation, the scholarship will provide $1,000 each to two Johnson College students in the 2017-2018 academic year. The scholarship supports first or second year students studying Diesel Truck Technology.

Phil Mazza contacted Johnson College in the spring of 2017 to discuss a partnership in honor of his late son, Andrew. Andrew passed away as the result of an automobile accident in 2016 and his father wanted to be sure his son’s legacy carried on in the community. Andrew was not only a truck enthusiast, but also a person who lived his life helping others. The Andrew Mazza Memorial Scholarship aims to serve local students as they pursue a career in the diesel industry.

Additionally, an agreement has been made to host a truck show on the Johnson College campus in support of the scholarship. The truck show is planned for the spring of 2018 and will welcome the entire community to Johnson College’s campus to celebrate the legacy of Andrew Mazza and support students of the future.

The recipients of this year’s Andrew Mazza Memorial Scholarship are students Joshua Dippel, a freshman from Scott Township and Jesse Korty, a sophomore from Forest City.

 

On July 12, Johnson College’s Veteran Task Force offered a Green Zone Training for faculty and staff so they could become more familiar with military life. The training highlighted experiences of student veterans, service members, and their families in higher education. The faculty and staff in attendance volunteered to become an empathetic ear and a guide for resources for student veterans, service members, and their family members on campus. Green Zone Training is a 2-hour session that consists of an informational presentation as well as a discussion and Q&A with current student veterans and their family members.

Johnson College currently serves numerous veteran students and continues to become more military friendly. The College is a certified Yellow Ribbon School and offers the Post 9/11 GI Bill® to those who qualify. For more information on veteran services or benefits, please visit www.johnson.edu/veterans. 

The Pocono Mountain Street Rod Association has awarded $2,000 to be given to one Johnson College Automotive Technology student. The Automotive Technology Program prepares students to enter into the work force as entry-level technicians in the many phases of the automobile, truck, and diesel industries.

This is the 9^thyear for the scholarship by the club, which raises funds through Cruise Nights held at the Viewmont Mall parking lot on the last Friday of each month. Cruise Nights help raise funds for their scholarship at Johnson College as well as other charitable community activities. The next Cruise Night is scheduled for Friday, July 28^th at 6 p.m.

For more information on Johnson College’s Automotive Technology Program, click here!