Carpentry Students Create Items for NeighborWorks Auction

Carpentry & Cabinetmaking students: Mark Navin, Ken Kocher, Pat Hannon , Kyle Smith , Collin Walsh , Jan Pavlowski , and Matt Weisenfluh.
Carpentry & Cabinetmaking students: Mark Navin, Ken Kocher, Pat Hannon , Kyle Smith , Collin Walsh , Jan Pavlowski , and Matt Weisenfluh.

Students from the Carpentry & Cabinetmaking Technology Program at Johnson College recently crafted and donated cutting boards to be auctioned off at the NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania’s Comfort Food Fest and Celebration of Home on October 1st at Zacahrellis Gardens.

NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania (NWNEPA) is a not-for-profit organization that has worked for the past 30 years to improve the financial stability of families throughout the City of Scranton, Lackawanna County, and northeastern Pennsylvania through providing meaningful and effective homeownership services. Johnson College students contribute to a variety of NeighborWorks projects annually and service projects like this provide them with valuable hands-on, real world experience.

Johnson College Radiologic Technology Safety Lecture

Caption (Left to right): Senior students accompanied by faculty and lecturers. Jennifer Lehman, Jennifer Olson, Roxanne Caswell, Johnson College Clinical Instructor; Kara Boles, Michael Payne, Joan Bonczek, Johnson College Radiologic Technology Program Director and Faculty Leader; Diana Harris, Johnson College Radiologic Technology Clinical Instructor; Samuel Payne, Erin Walsh, Barbara Byrne; Johnson College Radiologic Technology College Clinical Coordinator, Michael Baranowski.
Caption (Left to right): Senior students accompanied by faculty and lecturers. Jennifer Lehman, Jennifer Olson, Roxanne Caswell, Johnson College Clinical Instructor; Kara Boles, Michael Payne, Joan Bonczek, Johnson College Radiologic Technology Program Director and Faculty Leader; Diana Harris, Johnson College Radiologic Technology Clinical Instructor; Samuel Payne, Erin Walsh, Barbara Byrne; Johnson College Radiologic Technology College Clinical Coordinator, Michael Baranowski.

On Friday, September 18, 2015, the Johnson College Radiologic Technology program held its annual Radiation Biology & Protection Safety lecture presented to the senior students by Michael and Samuel Payne, Independent Medical Physicists.

 

Johnson College PTA Students Volunteer through Junior Achievement

IMG_3433Staff and students from the Johnson College Physical Therapy Assistant Program, in partnership with Junior Achievement of NEPA, recently sponsored JA-in-A-Day at Scranton’s Robert Morris Elementary School. To help celebrate Physical Therapy Awareness month, the students chose Junior Achievement as their community service project. Volunteers delivered Junior Achievement’s enrichment programs in grades kindergarten through fifth grade.   Students spent the morning exploring money matters and the “world of work.”

Johnson College Faculty Receive Training from Temple University

From August 10-14, 2015, Johnson College faculty attended an intensive five-day workshop on teaching strategies and best practices. Part of Johnson College’s Professional Development opportunities, this workshop was presented by the Temple University College of Education. The objectives of the workshop were to provide regional technical and pedagogical updating experiences for career and technical teachers, administrators, and support staff as well as to provide on-site, in-depth assistance designed to improve the academic competence of career-bound youth. Seventeen faculty members completed the workshop and received certificates from Temple University. In addition to the seventeen who completed every session, several instructors and adjuncts participated in select sessions throughout the week.

From August 10-14, 2015 Johnson College faculty attended an intensive five-day workshop on teaching strategies and best practices. Part of Johnson College’s Professional Development opportunities, this workshop was presented by the Temple University College of Education. The objectives of the workshop were to provide regional technical and pedagogical updating experiences for career and technical teachers, administrators, and support staff as well as to provide on-site, in-depth assistance designed to improve the academic competence of career-bound youth. Seventeen faculty members completed the workshop and received certificates from Temple University. In addition to the seventeen who completed every session, several instructors and adjuncts participated in select sessions throughout the week.
(From Top to bottom, L-R) Mark Kozemko, ’79, Instructor of Automotive Technology; Matthew Sleboda, ’84, Technical Generalist; John DeAngelis, Instructor of Architectural Drafting & Design Technology; Diana Harris, Clinical Instructor of Radiologic Technology; Frank Mickavicz, ’90, Instructor of Electrical Construction & Maintenance Technology; Doug Hampton, Instructor of Biomedical Technology; Barbara Senepedis, Research Analyst; Pedro Santiago, Instructor of Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning Technology; Laura Little, Business Management Department Chair; and Gerry Barone, ’11, Instructor of Diesel Truck Technology. Missing from photo, Patrick Appel, ’07; Joseph Musheno, ’78; Rick Fornes, ’94; William Hobbs, Ronald Stiltenpole, and Joseph Polinsky.

Johnson College Launches Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Technology Program

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Jesse Vazquez; Richard Fornes, ‘94, Director of Innovation and Electronics Department Chair; Eric DiCanio; Steve Vidal, Adjunct for AMET; Matthew Spory; Andrew Zwanch, ’82, Sr. Director of Faculty and AMET Instructor; Matthew Sleboda, ’84, Technical Generalist and Christopher Kuehl
Johnson College has welcomed the first class of Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Technology (AMET) students to campus. As American manufacturers are becoming increasingly dependent upon the use of high-tech equipment that involves multiple, integrated systems, it is critical that these companies be able to recruit and employ individuals who know how to operate, troubleshoot, and maintain this high-tech equipment. The program is designed to prepare students for the modern manufacturing environment of today. Students are exposed to all facets of advanced manufacturing including but not limited to, computer numerical control (CNC) machining, 3D printing, automation and robotics. Graduates will be prepared for entry level positions within companies that have implemented team oriented design, production, quality, and maintenance systems within the manufacturing environment. The technical courses provide graduates with a solid foundation of advanced manufacturing procedures. The combination of the general education courses and technical courses equip the graduates with the communication, mathematics, and problem solving skills necessary to perform in the modern workplace.

Johnson College Architectural Drafting & Design Technology Program Receives Accolades

The Architectural Drafting & Design Technology program at Johnson College was recently awarded a Curriculum Certification from the American Design Drafting Association (ADDA) as well as a distinction for John DeAngelis, program department chair, as an ADDA Certified Educator.

The ADDA Curriculum Certification is a specialized copyrighted program certification process developed over 30 years ago by ADDA to assist educational facilities and vocational training institutions to align their educational process to meet or exceed industry standards. The Curriculum Certification process generally will use a compilation of information which is currently required through state and federal accreditation, teacher certification, facility certification and standard auditing processes the school currently is required to maintain. ADDA also requires information regarding samples of program coursework and study materials already in use.

The Certified Drafter recognition is part of a credentialing system based on an individual’s competency level after training or years of service. John DeAngelis received his recognition as a vocational instructor after completing an approved ADDA application process for the program and himself.

DeAngelis said this certification from ADDA will benefit the College as it has recently transitioned into a semester-based curriculum. “We are very happy to have received this certification, it sets our program apart from the competition.”

Vet Tech Club Campus Clean Up

Campus Clean Up

The Veterinary Technology Club hosts several community service projects throughout the school year. The members of the club held their first campus clean up around the Veterinary Science Center and surrounding areas of campus on September 17, 2015. The Johnson College community appreciates the support of these volunteers.

Pocket Park Designed by Architectural Drafting & Design Students Finished

IMG_2851_2When  Mayor Patty Lawler  initiated a project to develop a Pocket Park on Depot Street in Clarks Summit, she reached out to several community partners. A pocket park is developed land that can be publicly utilized by the community. These parks are commonly developed on irregular land or a vacant lot. Mayor Lawler saw potential in the space on Depot St. to serve as a community gathering place. The Architectural Drafting & Design students, under the supervision of Mr. John DeAngelis, created the drawing plans for the proposed pocket park and received an award at the Mayor’s brunch on April 18, 2015. Those who also contributed include the Lackawanna County commissioners, the Greater Scranton Board of Realtors, the State Street Grille, and the Clarks Summit Shade Tree Commission.

The project was officially finished in September of 2015. The park includes benches for sitting, a picnic are, a Little Free Library, and decorative landscaping. It is located on Depot St. in Clarks Summit behind State Street Grill.

For more information on this project, please see the article written by Stephanie Longo in the Abington Suburban or WNEP news story  by Stacy Lange.

 

 

 

Johnson College Announces Record Setting Enrollment

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As the national college enrollment numbers decline, it is a great accomplishment for Johnson College to not only retain students but to enroll more students than ever before, since its inception 103 years ago. This shows how the type of education Johnson provides is setting them up for success based on economic needs.

This summer, the College has reached a consecutive year of record-setting enrollment. Johnson College’s enrollment has risen to 108% with over 300 students who have deposited for the 2015-16 academic year to date.  This is the largest freshman class for the two-year technical college.

Rita Munifo, Director of Enrollment said “all of the technology-driven programs offered at Johnson College prepare students for in-demand careers.” Munifo cites the 90% job placement rate as a key reason students choose to attend the college in North Scranton. Munifo explained the College’s enrollment benefits because of the length of the programs and the availability of jobs in hands-on fields. “Johnson College provides more opportunity because students get a degree in just two years, acquiring less debt than those students attending a four year institution and these in-demand degrees allow for students to be hired very quickly,” she said.  Also, between 94% and 97% of Johnson College students receive some type of financial aid.

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. “One in every three students at Johnson College is a transfer student,” said Munifo. She also mentioned that the graduation rate for transfer students is 5% higher than the College’s average.

Johnson College is proud to also announce a zero percent tuition increase for the upcoming academic year. Due to the record-setting enrollment numbers for 2014-15, the administration was able to propose that tuition rates remain under $16,300 for a consecutive school year.  The proposal was brought to Dr. Ann L. Pipinski, the finance department, and the president’s cabinet in the fall for approval. In early February, the board of directors approved the cost of tuition. The zero percent increase, however, does not include fees that vary by program and are dependent on resources necessary to teach students.

Melissa Ide, Senior Director of Student Engagement explained that the 265 freshmen that enrolled at Johnson College in the fall of 2014 were an integral part of the tuition stability. “The more students who enroll allow the College to accumulate more revenue without increasing tuition for students,” said Ide. Another factor that contributed to the pricing is retention of students. The College currently holds an 83% retention rate, which is relatively high in comparison to other institutions in the commonwealth. In relation to how the unchanged tuition will benefit retained students, Ide explained “a zero percent increase means more to a student who is already here, as they are able to budget the same amount of money for the next academic year.”

There is a significance to Johnson College achieving this unraised tuition agreement. Since the programs at the College are primarily technology based, it costs considerably more to provide the necessary equipment, and updates to that equipment for the students so they are best prepared to enter into the workforce with the latest, most advanced training. This has importance to the average type of student who attends Johnson College. “Our typical student falls within the middle class,” said Ide. “They may or may not be fully eligible for Pell or PHEAA grants. Keeping tuition at a manageable rate will help them plan for the next academic year and will not put them in severe loan debt post-graduation.”