Johnson College Announces New One-Year Academic Certificate Program, Industrial Technology

Students can now enroll in Johnson College’s new one-year academic certificate program, Industrial Technology. The program will launch during the spring 2022 semester.

This one-year academic certificate program prepares students for employment as entry-level industrial technicians. Students will learn industry skills such as diagnostics, equipment repair, machine testing, and operations. The program also teaches students critical thinking and decision-making skills.

Graduates of the program will prepare to work in machine shops, fabrication shops, distribution warehouses, and similar settings that encompass the industrial technology industry. They will know how to work in a team environment, practice professionalism, and acknowledge organizational diversity.

The Industrial Technology field is expected to grow by 19% per the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Graduates entering the field have the potential to earn $54,920.

“We are excited to add the Industrial Technology one-year academic certificate to our growing list of programs,” said Bill Burke, M.S., Johnson College’s Vice President of Student and Academic Affairs. “Graduates of this program will become proficient in the technical skills industry requires, and will also acquire the essential soft skills required to enter today’s workforce.”

For more information about the program, or to enroll in Johnson College’s Industrial Technology program, please visit johnson.edu/industrialtech or contact Johnson College’s Enrollment Department at 570-702-8856 or enroll@johnson.edu.

New Two-Year Associates Degree Program, Civil Design Technology

Students can enroll in Johnson College’s new two-year Civil Design Technology associates degree program launching during the spring 2022 semester.

This two-year associate degree program prepares students as entry-level technicians in the field of civil engineering. This program provides the foundation for applying basic engineering principles and technical skills to support civil engineers engaged in designing and executing public works projects such as highways, dams, bridges, tunnels, and other facilities. The program also emphasizes professional interpersonal skills.

Students will acquire the skills necessary to obtain an entry-level position in the civil design field, which has a 3% growth potential through 2029 per the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  They will also demonstrate professional behavior and ethics to meet work challenges and develop critical thinking and decision-making skills.

Graduates will work as civil designers, CAD technicians, survey technicians, design engineering technicians, or similar roles in the civil engineering industry and have the opportunity to make a medium annual income of up to $53,410. Typical employers in the civil design career field are civil design and engineering firms, structural engineering companies, environmental engineering firms, surveyors, consulting firms, construction companies, and government design agencies.

“The launch of the Civil Design Technology program is a great example of how Johnson College continues to answer industry demand for highly skilled technicians,” said Dr. Katie Pittelli, Johnson College President & CEO. “The College will work with industry partners to ensure our Civil Design Technology students are introduced to industry from day one and get the hands-on education needed for this in-demand career.”

To learn more about Johnson College’s new Civil Design Technology Program visit Johnson.edu/civildesign.

Photo Caption: Recently, Dr. Katie Pittelli, President & CEO of Johnson College, visited PennDot’s I-84 Twin Bridge Project just outside of Dunmore, PA, to record a special Presidential Update Video announcing the launch of Johnson College’s new Civil Design Technology program, the College’s 16th two-year associates degree program. To watch the video, visit johnson.edu/presidential-update or learn more about the Civil Design Technology program at Johnson.edu/civildesign. Left to right: Chad Faraday, Civil Engineer Trainee, PennDot, Dr. Katie Pittelli, President & CEO, Johnson College, Chris Christopher E. Rood ‘06, P.E., Assistant Construction Engineer, PennDot, and John Pivovarnik, P.E., Assistant Construction Engineer, PennDot. 

Innovation and Creation Camp for 7th, 8th, and 9th Grade Future Inventors

Johnson College offers a 1-week Innovation and Creation Camp for 7th, 8th, and 9th-grade students from Monday, August 16, 2021, to Friday, August 20, 2021, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the Johnson College campus in Scranton, PA. The cost of the camp is $50 per student, and space is limited.

Students will utilize problem-solving and critical thinking skills while learning about the latest robotics and STEM technologies. They will start camp as a passive user of technology but finish as experienced inventors.

For more information and to register, email Tim Frank, Academic Program Specialist at Johnson College, at tfrank@johnson.edu.

Johnson College Receives $490,381 Grant from the USDA for Rural Distance Learning Program

Johnson College has been awarded a $490,381 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as part of the agency’s Telemedicine and Distance Learning Program. This grant will support the College’s goal to implement a distance learning program improving access to higher education opportunities for rural areas in Wayne, Pike, and Susquehanna counties.

The project will link Johnson College with four rural high schools: Forest City Regional High School, Honesdale High School, Wallenpaupack Area High School, and Western Wayne High School.  As well as three libraries: Lakewood Library, Newfoundland Library, and Pleasant Mount Library by high-tech telecommunications equipment.

Both high school and adult students will have interactive, two-way access to Johnson College faculty and will participate in remote education, discussions, testing, and skill demonstrations. Laboratories and classrooms at Johnson College will be similarly equipped to enable maximum interaction between faculty and students. In addition, the three rural libraries will be equipped with laptops to give community residents access to career exploration services and information about courses at Johnson College. Students participating in the distance learning program will be able to work towards completing any one of the 15 academic programs Johnson College offers.

The project will create a direct route to career technology education (CTE), a college degree, and ultimately a fulfilling career with family-sustaining wages for students in rural Northeastern Pennsylvania. For many families, this will be the first generation empowered to attend college and removes several barriers like transportation to make college possible. We will focus on a distance learning platform using the latest in two-way interactive telecommunications technology to create an environment that is as close to the Johnson College onsite classroom and laboratory experience as possible while being delivered in the high school community.

The rural nature of the region presents several barriers to students and community residents in accessing higher education. The high schools collaborating on this project are between 21 and 31 miles from Johnson College. Because of family responsibilities, cultural norms, or factors related to working while enrolled in school, many students stay close to home for college. When there are no institutions of higher education close by, transportation and distance become barriers to upward mobility, fulfilling careers, and financially rewarding positions. This program can change that through distance learning and telecommunications. This strategy has several benefits for the individual student, the community, the industry partners needing more workers, and the state/regional/local economic development efforts.

This project also benefits Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education which is integral to the College’s curriculum for all students attending Johnson College, whether through distance learning, online learning, or on-campus learning. The specialized STEM training made possible by this grant funding will give students the opportunity to start their college degree while still in high school and complete earlier for in-demand positions throughout the region, as well as provide an opportunity to train non-high school students for new careers due to job loss or the desire for positions with higher family-sustaining wages.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with these schools and libraries to bring the Johnson College experience to those who otherwise might not be able to take advantage of it,” said Dr. Katie Pittelli, President & CEO of Johnson College. “Everyone should have the opportunity to learn skills that can lead to family-sustaining wages for in-demand careers.”

U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (D-PA-08) congratulated Johnson College and applauded the project. “As the internet fuels more innovative higher learning options, we need to invest to make sure they are accessible,” said Cartwright. “Projects like this open the door to exciting educational opportunities that give more students a shot at a fulfilling career, regardless of their zip code. I want to congratulate Johnson College on this well-deserved federal award.”

In addition to the distance learning opportunity this funding provides, students will also have access to Johnson College’s full array of on-campus support services including tutoring, counseling, career advisement, 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.

Continuing Education Offers Specialized Soldering Training Course

Johnson College has added an IPC J-STD-001 Soldering Training and Certification Course to its Continuing Education Program. This specialized course introduces the materials, methods, and acceptance criteria for producing high-quality soldered electrical connections. The inaugural course will be held during the late afternoons or evenings starting Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020 through Friday, Oct. 30, 2020. The total cost of the course is $750. To learn more or to enroll, visit https://johnson.edu/continuing-education/j-standard-training/ or contact the Johnson College Continuing Education Department at 570-702-8979 or continuinged@johnson.edu.

This 16-hour course can be utilized by workers in industries such aerospace, bio-medical, computer technology, and electronics to name a few, who are interested in expanding their careers while helping their companies grow.

The course will focus on modules 1 and 2 of the IPC J-STD-001.  Module 1 includes:  General requirements: applicable documents; materials, components, and equipment requirements; general soldering and assembly requirements; cleaning; printed circuit board requirements; coating, encapsulation, and staking; anti-tampering; and rework and repair.  In module 2, students will learn how to make wire and terminal connections; demonstrate wire stripping, wire tinning, and gold removal; and assemble turret, bifurcated, pierced, hooked, and hollow cup terminals to the highest performance standards. Upon successful completion, students will receive an IPC Certification in J-STD-001 soldering.

Johnson College’s Continuing Education Program distinguishes itself from the College’s 2-year degree programs and certificate courses by providing its adult students the opportunity to improve their skills to stay ahead of the competition, learn new technologies, and advance in their current career. The Continuing Education courses, many taught by industry professionals, are utilized and recognized by industry partners because they’re developed in partnership with industry. The program also includes pre-employment skills testing and exclusive online courses offering certification classes for essential industries. Johnson College also assists individual students and industry partners in obtaining funding or grants so their continuing education courses are cost effective. We train the workforce of northeastern Pennsylvania by immersing our continuing education, degree and certificate earning students in industry from day one. We Work, so our students succeed.

Johnson College and Kutztown University Sign Dual Admission Transfer Agreement for Information Technology Programs

Johnson College and Kutztown University signed a dual admission transfer agreement Wednesday, Sept. 30, to facilitate the transfer of Johnson College graduates to Kutztown University. Johnson College President and CEO, Dr. Katie Pittelli and Johnson College’s Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Kellyn Williams signed the agreement with Kutztown University’s President, Dr. Kenneth S. Hawkinson, and Kutztown University’s Provost, Dr. Anne Zayaitz.

Under this dual admissions agreement, Johnson College students will be guaranteed admission into a Bachelor of Science in information technology degree program with third year (junior) status at Kutztown University. Students must graduate from Johnson College with an Associate in Applied Science in computer information technology with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 and satisfy all other Kutztown University transfer requirements.

Full-time students admitted with third year (junior) status to Kutztown University will be able to complete a Bachelor of Science in information technology at Kutztown University within four regular semesters, provided that the student completes the appropriate associate degree program at Johnson College and completes and appropriately sequences their remaining course work at Kutztown University, while maintaining full-time status.

Kutztown University will provide a $500 book award to all Johnson College students who transfer with an associate’s degree, as well as $2,000 – over two years – in housing scholarships, should these students choose to live on campus. Kutztown University will also waive the application fee for students who apply to Kutztown University pursuant to this agreement.

Kutztown University’s Bachelor of Science in Information Technology programs were recently accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, the global accreditor of college and university programs in applied and natural science, computing, engineering and engineering technology. ABET accreditation assures that programs meet standards to produce graduates ready to enter critical technical fields that are leading the way in innovation and emerging technologies and anticipating the welfare and safety needs of the public, as well as being well prepared for graduate study.

“We are very excited to come together to sign this dual admission transfer agreement that will give Johnson College’s computer information technology graduates a new pathway to a bachelor’s degree,” Leonard said. “Today is a day of celebration for Johnson College. This agreement is Johnson College’s first agreement with a Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education school – we are gaining a strong partner in Kutztown University.”

“Our computer science and information technology program recently received accreditation from ABET, which places it among the best programs in the country,” Hawkinson said. “We are delighted to be signing this agreement wherein the excellent students from Johnson College will be able to participate in a dual enrollment program with our department. This new agreement will allow us to work together to change students’ lives.”

Johnson College provides real-world, hands-on learning in a caring environment and prepares graduates to enter into or advance in their careers. Our degrees become essential careers. Johnson College was founded in 1912, and is the region’s premier technical college, offering associate degrees in 15 programs. An emphasis on hands-on instruction is supported by a low student-to-teacher ratio. Located in Scranton on a 44-acre campus, Johnson is an accredited, private, non-profit, co-educational institution with a strong tradition of working with regional business and industry 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.

Comprising four colleges – Business, Education, Liberal Arts and Sciences and Visual and Performing Arts – Kutztown University of Pennsylvania offers a wide range of outstanding academic programs to prepare individuals for successful careers. Located on 289 acres, the campus is adjacent to the Borough of Kutztown in Berks County, Pennsylvania. As of fall 2020, enrollment at the university includes 7,892 students. For more information visit kutztown.edu or contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at 610-683-4060 or admissions@kutztown.edu

Photo Caption: (L to R): Dr. Anne Zayaitz, Kutztown University provost, Dr. Kenneth S. Hawkinson, Kutztown University president, Dr. Katie Pittelli, Johnson College president and CEO, and Dr. Kellyn Williams, Johnson College chief academic officer sign a dual admission transfer agreement between Johnson College and Kutztown University to facilitate the transfer of Johnson College graduates to Kutztown University.

Tech Talk with Johnson College Podcast – Episode 4 Now Live

Tech Talk with Johnson College Podcast Episode 4, “Information Technology and It’s Effect on Our Lives” is live. In this episode Dr. Katie Pittelli talks with Johnson College’s own Matt Cirba. They discuss how educators rely on technology to interact with students throughout the pandemic and how it will impact our world in the future.

Visit https://johnsoncollegepodcast.com/ to listen to all of the Tech Talk with Johnson College Podcast episodes and learn more.

Our guest, Matt Cirba, is currently a full-time instructor at Johnson College in the Computer Information Technology program. Matt has an A.S. from Johnson College, a B.S. from Keystone College, and a M.S. Ed from Wilkes University. In summer seasons, he works part-time for minor league baseball. Before teaching, he was working as an information technology consultant for 6 years in the field helping to take service calls, repair technology, implement new resources, and construct networks for businesses.

Matt is the creator and owner of Garlic Jar Media, established in April 2020. He strives to produce podcast and other multimedia for everyone to enjoy. Matt hosts their new hit podcast show titled: The Garlic Jar Podcast Show. They discuss pop culture topics, news, and today’s biggest interests/trends. You can listen to the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Podomatic, and other online media platforms.

Continuing Education Program Offers 285 Hour CNC Training Course

Johnson College’s Continuing Education Program’s 285 hour non-credit certificate Computer Numerical Control training will begin on Monday, October 5, 2020 and will run Mondays through Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 10:15 p.m. on the Johnson College campus in Scranton. To learn more or enroll call 570-702-8979 or email continuinged@johnson.edu.

The training is designed for individuals looking to enter the high-demand machining field and will cover the theory and hands-on practice of both conventional and high-demand machining field. Students will learn blueprint reading, and math with an emphasis on the use of metals and the stresses placed upon them.

Johnson College’s Continuing Education Program distinguishes itself from the College’s 2-year degree programs and certificate courses by providing its adult students the opportunity to improve their skills to stay ahead of the competition, learn new technologies, and advance in their current career. Industry partners utilize and recognize the Continuing Education courses, many taught by industry professionals, because they’re developed in partnership with industry. Johnson College strategizes with and listens to its partners when creating the most effective hands-on continuing education curriculum and programs. Some courses are specifically customized toward industry partners’ workforce needs in reducing possible skills gaps and industry requirements. Johnson College also assists individual students and industry partners in obtaining funding or grants so their continuing education courses are cost effective. Learn more about Johnson College’s Continuing Education Program at Johnson.edu/continuing-education.

Tech Talk with Johnson College Podcast – Episode 3 Now Live

Tech Talk with Johnson College Podcast Episode 3, “The Job Demand and Who is Qualified for those Careers?” is live. Listen as Dr. Katie Pittelli continues her conversation with Teri Ooms, Executive Director at The Institute for Public Policy & Economic Development.

The path to a successful career is not one straight track. Dr. Katie Pittelli and Teri Ooms discuss the endless opportunities available to students today and what the future holds for in-demand careers.

Visit https://johnsoncollegepodcast.com/ to listen to all of the Tech Talk with Johnson College Podcast episodes and learn more.

Our guest Teri Ooms is responsible for all facets of research,organizational strategy, and management at The Institute for Public Policy & Economic Development. Teri is an active principal investigator in all Institute research. She has been nationally recognized as a leader in regional economic development. She turned that skill into a research institute to help other regions develop and prosper. Her strategic skills have allowed The Institute to expand its services to the private and non-profit sectors for research and analysis in community health needs assessments, strategic planning, market and feasibility studies, and economic impact analysis. Ooms’ leadership has expanded The Institute’s work to other states. Under her direction, The Institute has completed over 100 client and community based studies. These studies have resulted in new jobs, new programs, sustained initiatives, and new legislation throughout Pennsylvania and in New York.

Learn more about the The Institute for Public Policy & Economic Development at https://www.institutepa.org/.