Johnson College Announces Tuition Freeze for the Third Year in a Row

After achieving the third year of record-setting enrollment this fall, Johnson College is announcing that tuition for the 2022-2023 academic year will not increase. The $17,700 annual tuition cost set for fall 2021 will freeze for the upcoming year.

Liz Renda, Chief Financial Officer, is proud of Johnson College’s ability to alleviate a student’s debt burden. She shared, “The third year of record-setting enrollment and smart fiscal management has led directly to this tuition freeze and our overall level of affordability for students.”

“The key reasons students choose Johnson College are that our programs are in-demand with up to 100% placement rates for specific programs and the affordability and value of the education they receive. Plus, a student’s immersion in industry from day one,” said Dr. Katie Pittelli, President & CEO. “Our industry partners guide our curriculum to ensure that our students become talented, essential employees who fill employer workforce needs. The College’s strong relationships with industry partners have resulted in local, desirable, live labs, and internship opportunities, for our students to experience the hands-on education, they expect from Johnson College.”  

The tuition freeze will increase students’ return on investment. Bill Burke, Vice President of Student and Academic Affairs, shared, “Our two-year degree and academic certificate programs have the highest ROI in the short-term because students enter the workforce sooner, and with less debt.” Johnson College ranks #1 for immediate return on a graduate’s investment for education among local institutions based on a 10-year return, according to a recent Georgetown University study.

Enrollment is still open for the spring 2022 semester, which begins on January 18, while the fall 2022 semester starts on August 29, 2022. Financial Aid is available to eligible students. Currently, a majority of Johnson College students, 94%, receive some financial aid.

Johnson College provides real-world, hands-on learning in a supportive environment and prepares graduates to enter into or advance their careers. Johnson College degrees become essential careers. Johnson College was founded in 1912 and is the region’s only technical College, offering 18 associate degree and 4 academic certificate programs. A low student-to-instructor ratio supports an emphasis on hands-on learning. Located in Scranton on a 44-acre campus, the College is an accredited, private, non-profit, co-educational institution with a strong tradition of working with regional businesses and industries to ensure a skilled and qualified workforce. For additional information on Johnson College, please call 1-800-2-WE-WORK, email enroll@johnson.edu, or visit Johnson.edu.

Johnson College to Host In-Person Transfer Day on January 5, 2022

On Wednesday, January 5, 2022, Johnson College is holding a Transfer Day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Moffat Student Center on its campus in Scranton, PA. The College is encouraging current college students interested in changing the direction of their education and ultimately their career path to visit its campus.

Students will meet with Enrollment, Financial Aid, Career Services, and Counseling and Disability Services representatives. In addition, staff members from the Registrar’s Office will be on-hand for transfer credit analyses and review potential schedules for the upcoming semester. Students will learn why Johnson College is the leader in hands-on education, how it exposes students to industry from day one, and how its two-year degree programs, focusing on careers in in-demand industries, have the highest return on investment in the short term. 

To attend Transfer Day at Johnson College, students must register online at https://johnson.edu/transfer/ or contact the College’s enrollment team at enroll@johnson.edu or (570) 702-8856.

Registration Now Open for 3D Printing Competition for High School Students

Johnson College will host its second 3D Printing Competition for local high school students on Friday, March 11, 2022 (Snow date March 18, 2022). The competition is an opportunity for students to showcase their abilities and creativity using science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) techniques. All students and groups must be registered by a school staff member who will also serve as an advisor while their students are on the Johnson College campus the day of the event. To register, please visit, https://forms.gle/9gCnK8uTiCA4w5eJ7.

Upon registration, a document will be emailed detailing additional information. Registration ends February 11, 2022. Prizes are to be announced.

This year’s competition requires high school students to compete individually to design and make an assembly to span 500mm (19.685”). The assemblies can only be made using 3D printed parts and must weigh no more than 2000 grams. Each assembly will be tested to the point of breaking. The student with the assembly that bears the most weight at the time of breaking will be declared the winner. Each competitor(s) must submit a complete technical drawing of all parts and assembly.

Computer Numerical Control Machining Training at Don’s Machine Shop in West Pittston Now Accepting Students

In conjunction with Don’s Machine Shop in West Pittston, Johnson College is now accepting students for its next Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Machining training in Luzerne County. The course begins Monday, January 24, 2022. During this course, students will train to program and utilize CNC machines. Students complete all class and lab work inside Don’s Machine Shop’s classroom and lab at 100 Elm Street, West Pittston. 

The cost for the CNC training class is $7,500, and funding sources may be available for those who qualify. Space is limited. To learn more or enroll, contact the Johnson College Continuing Education Department at 570-702-8979 or continuinged@johnson.edu.

The relationship with Don’s Machine Shop truly demonstrates Johnson College’s dedication to making industry our students’ campus. This 510-hour class for beginner-level students includes theory and practical learning methods. Students will receive hands-on training on some of the most state-of-the-art equipment in the region. This unique training experience will open new career opportunities right away. 

Industries throughout northeastern Pennsylvania are currently in need of well-trained CNC machinists.

CNC machinists manufacture precision products and components used in various applications such as automotive, medical, electronics, aerospace, transportation, and military-related industries. Per the Bureau of Labor Statics, metal and plastic machine workers, including CNC Machinists, can earn a median annual income of up to $38,270. 

Since starting over 30 years ago, Don’s Machine Shop, Inc. has become one of the largest machine shops in Pennsylvania’s Wyoming Valley. Their 77,000 square foot climate-controlled facility contains millions of dollars worth of modern equipment that is continually upgraded. Don’s Machine Shop, Inc. employs 30 people and makes machine parts for companies around the globe. Many things have changed over the past three decades, but Don’s Machine Shop’s commitment to providing quality parts and service will never change. For more information, visit http://www.donsmachine.com/. 

Johnson College to Hold District SkillsUSA Competition on December 14, 2021

Johnson College will host over 130 high school students to compete in 27 areas for the district SkillsUSA competition on Tuesday, December 14, 2021, from 8 a.m. to noon. SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers, and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA’s mission is to empower its members to become world-class workers, leaders, and responsible American citizens. SkillsUSA serves more than 300,000 students and instructors annually. This year marks the fourth year Johnson College will host the competitions.

SkillsUSA is a national organization serving teachers and high school and college students preparing for careers in technical, skilled, and service occupations, including health occupations and further education. SkillsUSA programs include local, state, and national competitions where students demonstrate occupational and leadership skills. 

Johnson College staff and faculty will host events in their respective areas on campus. Johnson College faculty were responsible for securing judges for the competitions, and these judges come mainly from the Program Advisory Committees and industry partners in Northeast Pennsylvania. “It is exciting to host our fourth SkillsUSA Competition on campus. Skills USA gives Johnson College a great opportunity to expose a new generation of technical students to our type of education. It is also an opportunity for the students competing to experience our campus and facilities first hand,” said Dr. Kellyn Williams, Chief Academic Officer at Johnson College, who had a large part in the planning of the event. 

Students from the following schools will compete during the competition: Lackawanna CTC, Carbon County CTC, Delaware Valley High School, Hazleton Area CTC, Susquehanna CTC, Tunkhannock Area High School, Wallenpaupack Area High School, Honesdale High School, West Side CTC, and Wilkes-Barre CTC.

Now Enrolling Students from Wayne, Pike, and Susquehanna Counties into Spring 2022 Distance Learning Program

Johnson College is now enrolling for its Spring 2022 Distance Learning Program for high school and adult students in the rural areas of Wayne, Pike, and Susquehanna counties. The program launches on January 18, 2022.  It creates a direct route for students to complete any of Johnson College’s eighteen 2-year associate’s degree programs and ultimately a fulfilling career with family-sustaining wages while staying in their communities. To learn more about this program or to register for courses listed below, please visit https://johnson.schoolforms.org/usda-registration-Spring2022 or email the Johnson College enrollment team at enroll@johnson.edu.

Students will have interactive, two-way access to Johnson College faculty and participate in remote education, discussions, testing, and skill demonstrations via high-tech telecommunications equipment in classrooms at Forest City Regional High School, Honesdale High School, Wallenpaupack Area High School, and Western Wayne High School. In addition, Lakeville Library, Newfoundland Library, and Pleasant Mount Library will be equipped with laptops to give community residents access to career exploration services and information about courses at Johnson College. 

In addition to the distance learning opportunity, this program provides, students will have access to Johnson College’s full array of on-campus support services including tutoring, counseling, career services, financial aid, internship opportunities, and exposure to industry from day one. Distance learning will help high school and adult students reach their full potential and connect with the region’s essential careers already in demand.

This program is funded in part by a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program. 

Courses at Honesdale High School

WTC 151-1 – Shielded Metal Arc Welding – Mondays & Wednesdays, 5 p.m. – 5:50 p.m.

WTC 152-1 – Shielded Metal Arc Welding Lab – Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

WTC 155-1 – Gas Metal and Flux Coed Arc II – Tuesdays, 5 p.m. – 5:50 p.m.

WTC 156-3 – Gas Metal & Flux Coed Arc Lab II – Thursdays, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.                            

Courses at Wallenpaupack Area High School

PRG 103-1 – C Sharp – Thursdays, 3 p.m. – 5:50 p.m.                            

DAT 201-1 – Database: Principles & Applications – Thursdays, 6 p.m. – 8:50 p.m.                      

BUS 105-1 – E-Commerce – Online, Available Anytime                                                                                                            

Courses at Western Wayne High School

VMR 151-1 – Introduction to Vehicle Maintenance – Online, Available Anytime                        

IET 101-1 – Introduction to Automotive & Diesel Electronics – Wednesdays, 5 p.m. – 6:50 p.m.              

MATH 105-1 – Math for Transportation Division – Thursdays, 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Courses at Forest City Regional High School

BUS 101-4 – Introduction to Business – Tuesdays, 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

LOG 192-1 – Transportation Management – Online, Available Anytime                                                 

CDT 101-1 – Introduction to Civil Design – Tuesdays, 5 p.m. – 7:50 p.m.

SCI 160-1 – Sustainability Design – Online, Available Anytime

From Headlights to Taillights: Getting Ready for Winter

By Mark Kozemko, Johnson College’s Automotive Technology Program Director

Originally published in the November 26, 2021 edition of the Valley Advantage.

https://www.thevalleyadvantage.com/community-columns/from-headlights-to-taillights-getting-ready-for-winter/article_fff3569a-a9c4-5855-90f1-9f52d5313b37.html

It is truly amazing just how quickly time passes. If you follow this column, you’ll remember that last fall, we addressed the topic of getting your vehicle ready for the upcoming winter weather. Since this is an important topic, and another winter is about to arrive, I want to revisit the topic. This year, I’ll go through the main things that need to be inspected, adjusted, repaired, or replaced before winter hits.

Before I get into the winterization checklist, I would like to answer a question I received recently about the vehicle’s HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system operation. The question is: “Why do my windows fog up when my heater is on?”

We used to see this condition frequently years ago when most vehicle HVAC systems were manually operated. These systems are now mainly automatic, so we rarely see this condition now in newer car models.

This condition happens because of the way the system operates when the heat mode is selected. There is a fresh air door that is supposed to be open in this mode. If that door is closed, the air circulating through the vehicle will be the air contained in the passenger compartment. This recycled air is always much too humid, meaning too much moisture compared to fresh air. Thus, the windows fog up.

Older vehicles usually have a knob or lever on the control panel that allows you to manually turn or push to select either fresh or recirculated air. In the heat mode, you should always choose the fresh air position. Fresh air will eliminate the fogging condition.

If you experience this fogging condition on more recent models, where the HVAC system is automatically controlled, there may be a problem with the fresh air door being stuck closed. That can happen if the motor that operates the door fails, or the door may be bound to a point where the motor cannot move the door at all. In that case, unless you are very mechanically inclined, contact a repair shop to diagnose and repair the problem. I hope this answers our reader’s questions.

Now let’s get to the vehicle winterization checklist.

1. Check your battery. If you have a multimeter, you can check your battery for available voltage, but you cannot check if it can hold a load, unless, of course, you are a master at using your meter. The meter can also check if your charging system is operating by checking the voltage across the battery terminals while the engine is running. Voltage readings while running should be around 14 volts, give or take a couple. A total battery, starting, and charging system check can be done by a qualified technician.

2. Check your tires. Most fuel stations provide air, but most of those places also charge for air. Free air can be found at Sheetz or your local Lowe’s store, usually by the contractor pick-up area. Whether you pay for the air or not, make sure the tire pressure is adjusted to the specification found on a sticker in the driver’s door jamb. You can check your tire pressure on your own. And remember, check and adjust the spare tire pressure.

3. Check your engine coolant protection. It will make sure the freezing temperatures of a Northeastern Pennsylvania winter will not freeze your engine coolant, which could be disastrous to your engine. You can perform this check using a very inexpensive tool purchased at any auto parts store. The perfect mixture of coolant and water for our area is a 50/50 mix. This mixture will protect the coolant from freezing up to -34°F. Now that’s cold! You can do this check by yourself.

4. Check and top off all the rest of your vehicle’s fluids. The fluids include the washer solvent. Contrary to some opinions, the washer solvent is not an artesian well and does not refill itself. Other fluids to check include the transmission fluid and engine oil. As far as these checks, a vehicle owner can tackle them.

As far as prioritizing the checklist, you don’t necessarily have to follow any order, but all the checks should be completed. If you feel comfortable doing the checks, then, by all means, go for it. If you are not, have your repair shop check off the list. Either way, your vehicle will be ready for the winter of 2021-22.

Now Enrolling Students in OBDII Emissions Training

Johnson College’s Continuing Education department is currently enrolling students into its next OBD II Emissions Training. The class will be held on the Johnson College campus in Scranton starting Monday, December 13, 2021. The class fee of $180 is paid to Johnson College and a study material and testing fee of $39.99 is paid directly to the PA Training Portal. Space is very limited. For more details visit Johnson.edu/continuingeducation, call 570-702-8979, or email continuinged@johnson.edu.

The OBDII computer monitors a vehicle’s emission control systems in real-time and is capable of informing a motorist or technician of a systemic issue the moment it occurs. The system operates through a series of indicator lights, drive cycles, trouble codes, and readiness monitors. During an inspection, an emission analyzer scan tool plugs into the diagnostic connector that is attached to the OBDII computer and communicates with the vehicle. The OBDII computer relays to the scan tool whether it has discovered errors in the emission control systems. The emission analyzer then determines whether the vehicle is being operated in compliance with emission standards.

Now Enrolling Students in Fundamentals of Welding Class

Johnson College’s Continuing Education Program is currently enrolling students in its next Fundamentals of Welding class, scheduled for Monday, December 13, 2021, on its campus in Scranton. Space is very limited. 

Students will learn the basics of the major welding processes. After fundamentals, students can enroll in an intermediate class in either Shielded Metal Arc Welding (Stick), Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (TIG), or Gas Metal Arc Welding (MIG). Each of these classes works toward plate certification to a common welding code. 

To learn more or enroll, visit https://johnson.edu/continuingeducation/ or contact the Johnson College Continuing Education department at 570-702-8979 or email continuinged@johnson.edu.