Johnson College signed an agreement with Earlbeck Technologies on Monday, May 14th. The partnership will provide prospective students with industry recognized certifications. Trainings to be offered starting in June 2018 include hourly certificates that allow the student to gain basic, entry-level knowledge of welding principles and provides existing welders the opportunity to upskill. Class sessions will be conducted at Johnson College and will also expand the College’s footprint as they will be offering the same classes in York, PA at the Earlbeck facility. This is a true collaboration between higher education and industry.

Industry partnerships are of utmost importance to Johnson College’s recently appointed president and CEO, Katie Pittelli. “We have never had a partnership in the past that was this collaborative and formal which means we are both in this together, to train the welding workforce together.” Through a similar partnership with a two-year college in Maryland, and by utilizing its current welding curriculum, Earlbeck has successfully trained thousands of students.

Jim Earlbeck, president of Earlbeck Technologies said, “This new partnership brings together education and industry in a new way by blending Johnson’s traditional curriculum with desired industry skills.” With Earlbeck as a respected industry leader, President Pittelli said this collaboration is “The perfect marriage for industry training” because according to an article in the Wall Street Journal, skilled welders have the potential to make up to $150,000 due to a large shortage of qualified workers. According to the American Welding Society, the welding industry will face a shortage of about 400,000 welders by 2024.

For 99 years, Earlbeck Gases & Technologies has been an industry leader of welding supply distribution. Technical support and customer education have always been its priority. The business provides manufacturers in Maryland and Pennsylvania with welding process optimization and it prides itself in its ability to provide customer education and technical support.
The alignment of education and industry not only benefits potential students with job skills, but also provides local organizations a facility to utilize to train skilled workers. This new agreement provides job-ready training to those seeking employment or those currently employed seeking to upskill. Local businesses can connect with Johnson College and Earlbeck when seeking a skilled workforce, and also has the opportunity to seek assistance with consulting, training, and certification testing for other facets of business.

President Pittelli said she hopes to see a “Continued pattern of sustained growth for many years to come” when it comes to the Earlbeck Technologies relationship.

Those interested in taking welding courses at Johnson College can contact the Center for Professional Development at 570-702-8981 or email continuinged@johnson.edu.

Johnson College and The Andrew Mazza Foundation are proud to announce the 1st Andrew Mazza Diesel Jam to be held at Johnson College on Sunday, June 10, 2018. Diesel Jam will be a celebration of the diesel truck community, featuring a truck show, mobile dyno runs, vendors, food, and live entertainment. It will be an all-day (rain or shine) family friendly event. All trucks are invited to participate.

This event will support the Diesel Truck Technology Program at Johnson College and The Andrew Mazza Foundation. Diesel Truck Technology is a 2-year program designed to prepare students as entry-level technicians with the latest information on diagnosis, repair procedures, preventative maintenance, and necessary safety applications in diesel technology. The program graduates more than 20 students each year who have an immediate impact on the diesel truck industry, especially in Northeast Pennsylvania.

The Andrew Mazza Foundation, started in 2016, supports and enriches the community through Andrew’s passions and hobbies. Proceeds raised from Diesel Jam will go to enhance and expand the Diesel Truck Technology Program at Johnson, provide students with scholarships, and serve the community in which Andrew called home.

Early truck and mobile dyno registration can be completed through Johnson College’s Website at www.johnson.edu/DieselJam  until June 1, 2018.  The fee to register a truck is a $25 donation. Registration will be limited on the day of the event and will increase to $30 per registration, an additional fee is required to register for the mobile dyno. More information is available by contacting Dawn Ziegler at (570) 313-0369, emailing Andrewmazzafoundation@gmail.com or on Facebook at Johnson College or The Andrew Mazza Foundation.

Throughout the upcoming semesters, Electrical Construction and Maintenance, Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning, and Carpentry & Cabinetmaking students will work on a live project for NeighborWorks Northeast PA. Under the direction of NeighborWorks staff and their Johnson College instructors, they will contribute to a range of construction work at the property, located in Clarks Summit, PA. This project is a combination of community service and live lab work where class curriculum is brought to an ongoing project.

President & CEO of NeighborWorks Northeast, PA Jesse Ergott, said, “We have a dual focus on a project like this one. First, we want to improve the property to have a positive visual and economic impact on the neighborhood. Secondly, we love to see homes like these go to first-time homebuyers, many of whom are making their first significant investment. That being said, we don’t restrict who can ultimately purchase the home.” He also mentioned how well Johnson College students fit with the mission of the non-profit. “The students we work with are skilled, responsible, and excited to be giving back to the community. Their work helps us to keep our project costs down and to reinvest the savings into future projects. We also appreciate the credibility and visibility that working with Johnson College brings to our work and mission.”

According to Johnson College’s chief academic officer, Kellyn Nolan, “It is important for our students to work on live projects. Not only do they gain the opportunity to make an impact on a real project, but they get to see first-hand what the job site is like and how it is managed.”

Katie Pittelli, President and CEO of the College is proud to see students contributing to projects that serve others. “Live lab work is an opportunity for instructors and students to apply classroom training in the real world. Students experience their education.  And in this case, for a nonprofit that has shown dedication to serving its community.”

The 26th Annual Johnson College Open will be held on Friday, May 18, 2018 at Blue Ridge Trail Golf Club in Mountaintop, PA (rain or shine).  Proceeds from this annual golf tournament support the Johnson College Presidential Scholarship Fund. Each academic year, Presidential Scholarships are awarded to four qualified and deserving full-time students.

Sponsors of the 26th Annual Johnson College Open to date include:

Presenting Sponsor: Gerrity’s Supermarkets

Advertising Sponsor: Lamar Advertising

Platinum: Shop Rite of Daleville & Mount Pocono

Platinum Marketing Sponsors: Sweda Advertising

Gold Print Sponsor: Sprint Print

Gold Sponsors: Bill’s Ace Hardware, Highland Associates, L.R. Costanzo Company, PNC Bank, Simplex Homes, NAPA Auto Parts of Daleville & Mount Pocono, Reilly Associates, Shea Industries

Silver Sponsor: Sordoni Construction Services

Cart Sponsor: Kane Is Able

Lunch Sponsor: Christiano Welding Supply

Dinner Sponsor: Stevens & Lee

Gift Sponsor: Action Lift

“Crossroads” Snack Bar Sponsor: Troy Mechanical

Mulligan Sponsor: McCarthy Tire & Automotive Centers

Hole in One Sponsor: Gibbons Ford

Exclusive Tee Sponsors: Brucelli Advertising Company, Constantino’s Catering and Events, Franko Law Offices, Knowles Associates, Metz Culinary Management, MotorWorld, Oliver, Price & Rhodes, Posture Interactive, Snow Management, T.E. Spall & Son

Presidential Scholarship Sponsors: Ability Recovery Services, Fiorelli’s, Genetti Manor, The Green Scene, IBEW-NECA Local #81, Mohegan Sun Pocono, Powell Law, R.J. Walker Co.

Additional sponsorship opportunities are still available. Golfer registration deadline is May 7^th. To obtain more information or to register to play in the tournament, visit www.johnson.edu/golf or contact Tracey Pratt, Manager of Development at 570-702-8908 or tpratt@johnson.edu.

Johnson College’s Carpentry & Cabinetmaking Technology program hosted an auction to benefit the Children’s Advocacy Center of NEPA. The items up for auction were all created by students in the Carpentry & Cabinetmaking program, and the event was organized by Project Management student Warren Gary Lahr, ’18. More than 40 items were auctioned off including cutting boards, guitars, benches, tables, cabinets, wine racks and a toy box.  Most of the items were made from re-purposed wood. The auction raised over $3,100 for the local non-profit and brought together a group of faculty, staff, and parents to showcase the wonderful creations the students work on every day.

For information about the two-year Carpentry & Cabinetmaking Technology program, please visit, www.johnson.edu/carpentry.

Johnson College has chosen LaTida Smith, President &CEO of the Moses Taylor Foundation to give their 2018 commencement address to graduates on Saturday, May 12th, 2018 at 10 a.m.

As the President & CEO, she provides leadership and oversight for the Foundation’s grantmaking and administration to advance its mission to improve the health and wellness of residents and communities in Northeast Pennsylvania.

Prior to joining Moses Taylor, Ms. Smith spent 12 years with Saint Luke’s Foundation of Cleveland, Ohio. At Saint Luke’s, LaTida led the implementation of the Foundation’s program strategy approach, streamlined the community grantmaking process to expand partnerships with grantees and led the implementation of program logic models for outcome measurement. Prior to Saint Luke’s, LaTida oversaw the City of Cleveland’s HIV/AIDS Unit and served as a Community Educator for Planned Parenthood of Greater Cleveland.

She serves as the Board Chair of Grantmakers for Effective Organizations and previously chaired the board of Funders Concerned About AIDS. She was selected as an American Marshall Memorial Fellow and the Association for Black Foundation Executives Connecting Leaders Fellow.

Ms. Smith earned a bachelor’s degree from Ohio Wesleyan University and master’s degrees in English and Women’s Studies from The Ohio State University.

She resides in Clarks Summit with her husband, Walter and their children Walter and Clarke.

Johnson College announced today that it has earned the 2018 Military Friendly® School designation. First published in 2009, Military Friendly® Schools is the most comprehensive, powerful resource for veterans today. Each year, the list of Military Friendly® Schools is provided to service members and their families, helping them select the best college, university, or trade school to receive the education and training needed to pursue a civilian career.

Institutions earning the Military Friendly® School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from Victory Media’s proprietary survey. For the first time, student data was taken into consideration for the designation. More than 1,300 schools participated in the 2017-18 survey with 849 awarded with the designation.

Ratings methodology, criteria, and weightings were determined by Victory Media 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’s President & CEO, Katie Pittelli said, “Johnson College is proud to receive the Military Friendly® School designation and the gold #8 spot in the Online/Technical category. It is important to us that we go above and beyond for current and former service members to ensure that they can get a degree and pursue their next professional path. Our institution has a wonderful reputation in our community and beyond for being the best trade and technical school that can assure a successful student that they will earn not only a job, but also a rewarding career. ”

Chief Product Officer at Victory Media Daniel Nichols stated, “Our ability to apply a clear, consistent standard to the majority of colleges gives veterans a comprehensive view of which schools are striving to provide the best opportunities and conditions for our nation’s student veterans. Military Friendly ® helps veterans make the best use of the Post-9/11 GI Bill and other federal benefits while allowing us to further our goal of assisting them in finding success in their chosen career fields.”

For more information about Johnson College’s commitment to attracting and supporting military students, visit Johnson College’s website at www.johnson.edu/veterans. Johnson College will be showcased along with other 2018 Military Friendly® Schools in the annual Guide to Military Friendly® Schools, special education issues of G.I. Jobs® and Military Spouse Magazine, and on militaryfriendly.com.

 

Katie Pittelli, M.A. to begin her tenure as President & CEO early

At a recent meeting of the Johnson College Board of Directors, Dr. Ann L. Pipinski was named President Emeritus of the College.  This is the first time in the College’s history that an individual in the role of President has received such a distinction.  The Board of Directors may grant President Emeritus status to a president who is retiring or has retired from the position. President Emeritus status is reserved to honor a Johnson College president who has provided outstanding and distinguished service to Johnson College; and has served as President for at least ten years.

Dr. Pipinski has decided to retire early from the College with Katie Pittelli, M.A. assuming the role of President & CEO effective February 12, 2018.  As President Emeritus, Dr. Pipinski will continue to serve the College as an advisor to the President & CEO and Board of Directors as needed.

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