Johnson College Receives Grant from PPL Foundation to Support Pilot Program

Johnson College has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the PPL Foundation to support an English as a Second Language (ESL) to Credential pilot program. The program was created through a collaboration among Johnson College, United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC), Educational Opportunity Centers (EOC), and CareerLink of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

As part of the pilot program, eight participants will work with UNC to learn English and receive case management services, EOC to obtain their GED, Johnson College to complete career technical training, and finally CareerLink of Northeastern Pennsylvania for employment services.

The funding from the PPL Foundation will be used to support participants in the career technical training portion of this program to obtain supplies and support needed to help them succeed. They will enroll in one of three short-term training opportunities at Johnson College to earn recognized industry credentials including CNC Operator Training, Basic Maintenance, and Medical Assistant.

“Johnson College’s Industry and Community Engagement department continues to look for ways to engage and create pathways for vulnerable populations to complete training as we know it can lead to high-demand occupations and ultimately life-sustaining wages,” said Dr. Kellyn Williams, Associate Vice President of Special Programs at Johnson College and director of the pilot program.

The pilot program closely aligns with the PPL Foundation’s focus on sustainable communities and improving lives through collaboration with community partners. Through this educational collaboration, Johnson College hopes to address workforce shortages throughout the region, build strong communities, strengthen our regional economy, and set participants on a pathway to fulfilling careers with family-supporting wages.

About the PPL Foundation

The PPL Foundation is an independent, nonprofit organization formed to support community initiatives in the areas served by PPL Corporation’s utilities. Through strategic partnerships, the PPL Foundation supports nonprofit organizations that are engaged in innovative and groundbreaking work to create vibrant, sustainable communities; advance diversity, equity and inclusion; and support children’s success from cradle to career in both Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. Learn more at pplcares.com. Learn more at pplcares.com.

Johnson College Receives Grant from PPL Foundation For Stem Outreach Program

Johnson College is pleased to announce it has received a $5,000 grant from the PPL Foundation. These funds will support a STEM outreach program to teach 75 high school students about renewable energy and build their own solar cell phone chargers. 

The goal of the workshop is to introduce participants to solar power concepts with an object that is suitable for everyday use.  Participants will build a solar-powered cell phone charger and learn about solar cells, lithium-ion batteries, and various electronic modules that construct a cell phone charger. The workshop gives the participant an understanding of all the components required to produce a portable solar-powered cell phone charger. The program also introduces the students to occupations in Electrical Engineering and Electrical Construction.

“The PPL Foundation grant gives local high school students the opportunity to experience the real-world, hands-on learning Johnson College is known to provide its students,” said Dr. Katie Pittelli, Johnson College President & CEO. “Our STEM Outreach Program provides local students an introduction to in-demand careers within essential industries throughout our region and beyond.” 

The PPL Foundation awards annual grants through a competitive application and review process. 

About Johnson College: Johnson College provides real-world, hands-on learning in a caring 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 premier technical college, offering 17 associate degrees and 4 academic certificate programs. A low student-to-teacher ratio supports an emphasis on hands-on instruction. 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.

About the PPL Foundation: Through strategic partnerships, the PPL Foundation supports organizations working to create vibrant, sustainable communities; promote diversity, equity, and inclusion; and empower each citizen to fulfill her or his potential. The PPL Foundation contributes more to a wide variety of nonprofit organizations in eastern and central Pennsylvania. To learn more, visit pplcares.com.

Photo Caption: Johnson College receives a $5,000 grant from the PPL Foundation to teach high school students about the benefits of STEM-related programs. Left to right: Alana Roberts, Regional Affairs Director, PPL Electric Utilities; Dr. Katie Pittelli, President & CEO, Johnson College; Kellyn Williams, Dr. Kellyn Williams, Associate Vice President of Special Programs, Johnson College.

Now Enrolling Middle and High School Students in STEM Energy Outreach Program

Johnson College is now enrolling middle and high school students in its on-campus STEM Energy Outreach Program on Monday, June 7, 2021, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. This program introduces students to green, renewable energy through solar concepts using an interactive, hands-on demonstration. For more information and to register visit, https://forms.gle/jTNphmJzbzMR9dSc7 or email Dr. Kellyn Williams, Chief Academic Officer at Johnson College, at knolan@johnson.edu. Space is limited. The STEM Energy Outreach Program is made possible by a grant from the PPL Foundation.

Students will participate in the interactive learning experience by assembling K’nex Education Renewable Energy sets with Johnson College Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Kellyn Williams. The completed K’nex kits will be shared with additional schools as part of future Johnson College STEM Outreach Programs. 

The PPL Foundation awards annual grants through a competitive application and review process. Through strategic partnerships, the Foundation: supports organizations working to create vibrant, sustainable communities; promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion; and empowers each citizen to fulfill her or his potential. 

Johnson College Receives $3,500 PPL Foundation Grant

Johnson College was awarded a $3,500 grant from the PPL Foundation to support its STEM Energy Outreach Program in five northeastern Pennsylvania school districts.  This program will introduce at least 50 middle and high school students to green, renewable energy through solar concepts using an interactive, hands on demonstration. To participate schools must email Kellyn Williams, PhD, Chief Academic Officer at Johnson College at knolan@johnson.edu. Space is limited.

Students will participate in the interactive learning experience by assembling K’nex Education Renewable Energy sets during a live zoom class with Johnson College Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Kellyn Williams. They will also watch online presentations featuring Richard Fornes, Johnson College Electrical Engineering program director, and Cole Hastings Goldstein, Johnson College Advanced Manufacturing program director. The completed K’nex kits will be shared with additional schools as part of future Johnson College STEM Outreach Programs.

“The PPL Foundation grant gives local middle and high school students the opportunity to experience the real-world, hands-on learning our amazing faculty provides students on the Johnson College campus” said Dr. Katie Pittelli, Johnson College President and CEO. “Our STEM Outreach Programs provide local students an introduction to careers within essential industries throughout northeastern Pennsylvania and the country.”  

Johnson College previously presented STEM Outreach Programs at the Scranton School District, Weatherly Middle School, Carbondale High School, Wallenpaupack School District, and Forest City School District.   

The PPL Foundation awards annual grants through a competitive application and review process.  Through strategic partnerships, the Foundation supports organizations working to create vibrant, sustainable communities; promote diversity, equity and inclusion; and empower each citizen to fulfill her or his potential. Learn more about the PPL Foundation at https://www.pplweb.com/communities/ppl-foundation/.

(L to R): Dr. Kellyn Williams, Johnson College’s chief academic officer holding a solar powered vehicle students will build, Alana Roberts, regional affairs director at the PPL Foundation, and Dr. Katie Pittelli, Johnson College’s president and CEO, holding a Solar Energy Program t-shirt participating students will receive.