Johnson College had been interested in making online learning available to students for the past few years. During the 2015-16 academic year, the vision became a reality after forming a new Office of Online Learning and integrating a new learning management system, Desire 2 Learn (D2L) into existing curriculum.

The College is always looking to make its educational experience unique to students and started exploring online class options in the fall of 2012. A task force was assembled and tasked with researching learning management systems which would allow for collaboration between instructor and student, online. The task force first came to the table with about ten options, from those options, they narrowed down to three. Throughout the 2013-14 academic year, the three were tested and the task force decided to take D2L to the sandbox, or testing, stage. During the sandbox, faculty were able to begin using the functions with students for a year. Many students, especially in the business program, had the opportunity to work with D2L which gave great insight for instructors when considering the functionality. The sandbox test phase proved to be a success and in the fall of 2015, D2L went live for the entire College. Currently five courses are available completely online and many are available as hybrid classes. Hybrid classes allow for some class sessions to compliment an online curriculum.

Online learning has made a Johnson College education more attainable than ever. Although no programs are entirely online, the course offerings available are proving to be thorough and convenient for students. Online learning benefits the College’s students in two ways, through added flexibility and expanding capacity. With online classes, students are not required to be on campus, so it is easy for them to read class materials and complete assignments from home during a time that is best for them. Many students have jobs and families and online learning helps them stay enrolled in the required amount of classes and allows them to determine the days and times they can devote to schoolwork. As far as capacity, online learning frees up more classrooms on campus and thus, allows the College to have more students enrolled at one time since they are not all on campus at the same time.

Like many colleges, retention is an important factor when rolling out new education methods. To be sure that distance education will best serve the student, Johnson College has taken a few measures to prepare for student success. First, all freshmen are required to take Student Success Seminar in their first semester at the College. In this class, instructors begin to acclimate students to the functions of D2L and require that all assignments be submitted online. The freshmen begin to utilize uploading functions, discussion boards, and quizzes. After completing Student Success Seminar, students are given an option to complete a training which will qualify them to enroll in online classes. The training can be completed once a student has achieved 12 credits, has a minimum GPA of 2.0 and is granted permission from their advisor as a satisfactory candidate. The one-time, technical training takes approximately one hour and successful completion qualifies them to enroll in online courses. Johnson College has reported that since this vetting process has begun, they are seeing great success of online students.

The Automotive Technology program at Johnson College has received reaccreditation by NATEF and The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). Johnson College’s automotive program has been reaccredited in the following areas: Engine Repair; Automatic Transmission/Transaxle; Manual Transmission and Drive Axles; Suspension and Steering; Brakes; Electrical/Electronic Systems; Heating and Air Conditioning; Engine Performance.

To achieve this renewed recognition, the school’s automotive training program underwent rigorous evaluation by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF). Nationally accepted standards of excellence in areas such as instruction, facilities, and equipment were used.

“This is great news for automotive-minded young people and their parents,” said Donald Seyfer, former NATEF Chair. “Because this program increases cooperation between local education and industry leaders, it gives added assurance that Johnson College’s graduates will be employable as entry-level technicians. As a result of the quality education provided by Johnson College, the motoring public will benefit since better repair technicians will join the work force.” Upon completion of the evaluation, NATEF recommended that Johnson College be reaccredited by The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). ASE is a national non-profit organization which tests and certifies repair technicians, in addition to accrediting automotive training programs.

Mark Kozemko, Automotive Technology Instructor at Johnson College added, “During the past few months, we have worked closely with NATEF to make certain that our program would continue to meet strict industry standards, and now we are excited to remain among the ranks of the ASE accredited training programs. Students will be assured of a quality education, and shop owners will be assured of getting quality job applicants.”

Johnson College’s Automotive Technology program is an Associate of Applied Science degree program that prepares students as entry-level technicians in the automobile and diesel industries. Graduates can work for employers in the career fields of automotive, truck, farm and earthmoving equipment dealerships; truck, power generation and construction companies; automotive service centers; engine repair/machine shops; automotive equipment distributors; independent service garages; automotive parts manufacturers; sales representation; as well as auto insurance companies.   Graduates may work with brake systems, transmissions, alignments and repairs; be representatives in claim, sales and service, or become truck/fleet maintenance technicians.

To learn more about the Automotive Technology program, check out the program webpage.

Dr. Ann L. Pipinski, President & CEO of Johnson College, has announced the President’s List of students who have completed the Fall 2015 semester with a grade point average of 3.90 or higher. Congratulations to all of our students who earned this academic recognition.

Frank Polumbo, Hughestown, Computer Information Technology
Dustin Schroeter, Scranton, Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning
Justin Hull, Archbald, Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning
Brian Romancheck, Drums, Diesel Truck Technology
Andrew Hart, Scranton, Electrical Construction & Maintenance Technology
Justin Roche, Dupont, Computer Information Technology
Patrick Munley, Dickson City, Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning
Mon Basnet, Scranton, Computer Information Technology
Robert Kulick, Springbrook Twp., Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning
Ashley  Custard-Allen, Lake Ariel, Computer Information Technology
Jennifer Page, Clarks Summit, Physical Therapist Assistant
Bettina Dorow, Dunmore, Architectural Drafting & Design Technology
Mitesh Patel, Scranton, Computer Information Technology
Jenna   Lehman, Dallas, Radiologic Technology
Kristina Kornova, Forty-Fort, Veterinary Technology
Michael Zangardi, Dickson City, Computer Information Technology
Jeffrey Arnold, Waymart, Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning
John Decker, Moscow, Business Management Technology
Jonathon Beckage, Olyphant, Electronic Technology
Anthony Brogna, Pittston, Computer Information Technology
Shauna Fahad, Scranton, Computer Information Technology
Nicholas Hojnacki, Scranton, Business Management Technology
Jonathan Maxwell, Bear Creek, Business Management Technology
Christina Belko, Old Forge, Physical Therapist Assistant
Nicole  Bartell, Tafton, Veterinary Technology
Adam   Brooks, Rome, Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning
Matthew Burke, S. Abington Township, Biomedical Equipment Technology

As the open house season gains momentum to fill college classrooms for the fall, Johnson College is celebrating exceeding their spring goal for 2016. Johnson College places a high priority on retaining students from year to year, while also continuing on its growth trajectory by attracting new students. This demonstrates how the type of education Johnson provides is setting students up for success.

This fall, the College accomplished record-setting freshman enrollment. Johnson College’s fall freshman enrollment reached 108% of the goal with over 300 students enrolled. This was the largest freshman class for the two-year technical college. Additionally, the College has surpassed its spring goal, by enrolling 34 students that make up 113% of the 30 student goal set. Total enrollment this year is 471, accounting for the most students on campus in the College’s history.

This spring, Johnson College is more appealing to students than ever before. It has more course offerings in the evening and provides spring start students the opportunity to take at least one of their core courses in their first semester which in the past was not possible because of a mod-based schedule system. Rita Lapera, Director of Enrollment at the College said the revised spring offerings, especially the core course offerings for 2016 “get new students engaged right from the start.”

Lapera also credited the type of education offered at Johnson which is in constant demand by people in Northeastern Pennsylvania. She said the 90% job placement rate is a key reason students choose to attend the college in North Scranton, “All of our technology-driven programs offered at Johnson College prepare students for in-demand family sustaining careers in as little as two years with significantly less debt than four year institutions.” Additionally, between 94% and 97% of Johnson College students receive some type of financial aid.

After celebrating the first winter commencement just a few weeks ago, the College now has more options than ever for students to attain their degree in a timely fashion so they can get right out into their high-demand careers. The College provides a type of education that suits many types of people. With new flexibility initiatives and dual-enrollment, the College is seeing an influx of transfer students, nontraditional students, and veterans seeking hands-on training through degree programs and continuing education offerings. “One in every three students at Johnson College is a transfer student,” said Lapera. She also mentioned that the graduation rate for transfer students is 5% higher than the College’s average. The spring semester has brought an additional 13 transfer students onto the Johnson College campus to begin degrees.

The Spring Open House  will take place on February 27th beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the Moffat Student Center. There will also be a Financial Aid Workshop on the same day at 8 a.m.

Johnson College is making it even easier for prospective students to transfer into its programs with a new initiative called Transfer Tuesday. Transfer Tuesday is a process that addresses the specific needs of the growing population of Transfer Students.  The College is encouraging transfer students to visit the college on any Tuesday throughout the year to speak with an admissions representative about degree options and transferring credits.  Transfer Tuesday takes the Transfer Day concept and makes it a year-round philosophy on campus to ensure prospective students begin meeting their academic goals as quickly as possible.  The goal is to make the process of transferring more customer focused and stress free for students.

In 2015, Johnson College welcomed the largest number of transfer students since the College started tracking this population in 2006 with a 3% increase from the prior year, representing 35% of incoming students.  One in every three students on campus has transferred at least one class from another college or university.  The most common reason for students transferring to Johnson College is a change in career path due to the inability to secure employment in their originally chosen curriculum.  All 14 of the College’s programs of study feature at least one transfer student among its cohort. The graduation rate of transfer students is 5% higher than the overall Johnson College graduation rate.

Johnson College student organization, Social Force, collected presents for 85 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. Under the supervision of Ms. Linda Learn, Assistant Director for Student Support Services, the giving tree at Johnson College has provided local children with presents for the last eleven years.

Johnson College’s Physical Therapist Assistant Program has received accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education. The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) is an accrediting agency that is nationally recognized by the US Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). CAPTE grants specialized accreditation status to qualified entry-level education programs for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. Johnson received the maximum accreditation for a newly established program which is a duration of five years. CAPTE is the only accrediting body for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. In October 2013, the program was granted Candidate for Accreditation status, which is the first step in the process. It is at that time that students in the inaugural class were accepted to begin the technical portion of the program. CAPTE representatives made a formal visit to the college in September 2015, during the last term of the first class of students. The College was notified of the decision for accreditation by CAPTE on November 25, 2014.

Dr. Melissa Cencetti, Department Chair of the Physical Therapist Assistant program said, “CAPTE has a very important job to do. They are looking out for the well-being of the student, the program faculty, the institution, and most importantly, the health care consumer. Accreditation is a rigorous process that requires a team effort. This accomplishment would not have been possible without the support of my Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education, Nicole Fabricatore, administration at Johnson College, our Program Advisory Committee, and our students, who put their faith in us from the beginning. We will continue to develop our program to meet the needs of our students, the profession of physical therapy, and our community.”

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program will graduate its first class on December 17^th. The first class has eight graduates. In the fall of 2014, the College accepted an additional 12 and 12 more in the fall of 2015. In 2015, the College began tracking transfer students within the program and 10 of 12 accepted were transfer students from other institutions.

On November 30th, senior radiology students participated in a community project to assist the Scranton Public Library to prepare for their quarterly book sale. The proceeds from the book sale help to support operational expenses along with community events sponsored by the library. On December 7th, the students returned to aide in boxing the remaining books which are then distributed to local centers in need of books.

Johnson College has chosen Dr. Diana Pope-Albright, Assistant Vice President of Outpatient Services at Allied Services Rehabilitation Hospital, to give their 2015 commencement address to graduates on Thursday, December 17th, 2015 at 5 p.m.

Dr. Pope-Albright has received many accolades in her field of work including a Certificate of Achievement in Pelvic Physical Therapy from the American Physical Therapist Association, she is the former Treasurer of the Northeast District of Pennsylvania Physical Therapist Association, and serves as a member of Johnson College’s Program Advisory Committee. She has several years of clinical teaching experience and more than 30 years in the field of physical therapy. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Vermont, her Master’s in Physical Therapy Neurology from Temple University, and doctorate from Arcadia University.

Dr. Pope-Albright resides in Clarks Summit with her husband Rich, and their three children Sean, Kevin, and Erin

This will be the Inaugural December Commencement Ceremony for Johnson College. It will be held in the Moffat Student Center Gymnasium on campus.