Pennsylvania American Water Revamps Workforce Readiness and Outreach with New “Career Stream” Program Like the convergence of three streams into one river, Pennsylvania American Water is taking a three-pronged approach to its comprehensive talent development program, focused on attracting and developing a diverse pool of future candidates with the skills and experience needed to succeed in the water industry. This new Career Stream program offers summer internships, annual scholarships and career education and outreach focused on careers in the water and wastewater business. “This next generation of our career pipeline development reflects our company’s commitment to taking proactive measures today to continue providing quality service for the next generation,” said Pennsylvania American Water President Mike Doran. “We are proud to be a competitive employer in our local communities and are passionate about attracting and retaining diverse talent because we know that diversity of backgrounds, ideas, thoughts, and experiences is vital to our culture and the way we do business.” Summer Internships For the summer 2022, the company is offering 15 full-time 8-week paid summer internship opportunities in operations, water quality and engineering. The internship program seeks to build a future talent pipeline, increase diversity, and bring new perspectives to the company while providing important real-life work experience to college students in the local communities served by Pennsylvania American Water. Internships are targeted toward college juniors and seniors pursuing STEM-focused studies such as biology, chemistry, environmental science and engineering. Available positions are currently posted on the company’s Career Opportunities site, and interns will be announced when the program begins in June. Stream of Learning Scholarships For the upcoming 2022-2023 school year, Pennsylvania American Water is offering three $5,000 Stream of Learning scholarships to individuals charting courses of study in fields critical to the water and wastewater industry, specifically focusing on DEP-certified water or wastewater operator certification programs. Eligible applicants must be pursuing 2- or 4-year college, university or technical school degrees or certifications in environmental science, biology, engineering, chemistry or DEP-certified water/wastewater operation programs. Qualified applicants must also maintain a permanent residence in Pennsylvania and be attending a Pennsylvania college, university or career/technical school in the 2022-2023 school year. More information and an online application can be found here. Deadline to apply is April 30, 2022, and winners will be announced in May. More information about becoming a certified water or wastewater operator can be found here. Career Education and Outreach Pennsylvania American Water conducts outreach throughout the year to educate students and adults alike about career paths and job opportunities in the water and wastewater industry. Career outreach places a special focus on diverse, underserved, and environmental justice communities and seeks to educate and attract a diverse field of students and adults to employment at Pennsylvania American Water. The company also partners with schools, colleges, elected officials, government agencies, non-profits and statewide organizations to promote careers in the water industry through participation at school presentations, facility tours, career fairs, community events and more. To request a Pennsylvania American Water representative at an upcoming career fair or outreach event, please contact pa.communityrelations@amwater.com.
HRC Director of CPS Services to Attend Capacity Building Institute Allison Daniels Human Resources Center, Inc.’s Director of Community Participation Support (CPS) Services, Allison Daniels, has been accepted into the Capacity Building Institute’s (CBI) 2022 program. The Capacity Building Institute is a training program provided by the Office of Developmental Programs (OPD) and Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS). The curriculum will be presented by ODP Medical Director, Dr. Gregory Cherpes, and Dr. Beth Carol to a select group of professionals. The CBI’s goal is to address how to assist individuals with a dual diagnosis (individuals with an intellectual disability and a co-occurring mental illness) lead more fulfilling and well-rounded lives. According to ODP, the program seeks to educate service providers on best practices through “training, integration of knowledge into practice, and opportunities to build a statewide cohort to work together to effect change and build capacity.” Training topics will include healing lifestyle and social therapy, biographical timelines, impact of trauma, psychotherapeutic interventions, psychopharmacology and diagnosis, creative and expressive therapies, and Functional Behavioral Analysis. Allison Daniels, M.Psych (Clinical) and licensed behavior specialist, will be the third HRC staff to complete the CBI training. As Director of CPS Services, Allison oversees a variety of programs that support individuals of the intellectual and developmental disability community. The CBI training curriculum will not only offer Allison the ability to expand her dual diagnosis knowledge, but also share the information learned with her team. Regarding her interest in the CBI, Allison remarks, “Many people struggle with both diagnoses and the pandemic has certainly exacerbated mental health conditions. I’m excited to gain more knowledge in this field of work.” HRC Inc. values continued education and is proud of Allison’s display of drive and ambition. The agency would like to congratulate Allison on her acceptance into the CBI program and wish her luck as she learns alongside industry professionals. HRC Inc. looks forward to supporting Allison in her latest academic endeavor.
CAC/NEPA’s “Pinwheels for Prevention” Campaign will Start April 1, 2022 In recognition of April as Child Abuse Awareness Month, the Children’s Advocacy Center of Northeastern Pennsylvania (CAC/NEPA) will initiate its “Pinwheels for Prevention” Campaign on Friday, April 1, 2022. The CAC/NEPA team members and volunteers will plant pinwheels on the lawn of the Lackawanna County Courthouse from noon through 4 p.m. The pinwheel symbolizes a transformation of awareness into action. It became the national public symbol to raise awareness of the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect. It connotates children’s playful, cheerful, joyous nature and is a physical reminder of the happy, carefree childhoods all children deserve. This April, you can make a difference in the lives of the children we serve by sponsoring a Pinwheel to be planted at the Lackawanna Courthouse lawn or hosting a pinwheel garden at your home or work to support child abuse awareness. The largest pinwheel garden will be planted at the Lackawanna County Courthouse lawn and remain there for the entire month of April. Each pinwheel will represent a child victim of abuse or neglect that received services at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Northeastern Pennsylvania. In 2021, the CAC/NEPA provided599 children with the services needed to begin their healing journey and prevent trauma from lasting effects on their lives. The public can sponsor an individual pinwheel or order their garden by visiting: https://cacnepa.networkforgood.com/projects/152748-2022-pinwheels-for-prevention. The Children’s Advocacy Center of Northeastern Pennsylvania (CAC/NEPA)is a private, non-profit, charitable organization whose mission is to provide excellence in assessing and treating child abuse and neglect. The designated child abuse center for Lackawanna County, the CAC/NEPA, also provides medical assessments and child forensic interviews for victims of abuse and neglect and coordinates a multidisciplinary team response to child abuse and neglect in Lackawanna and surrounding counties of Northeastern Pennsylvania.Since opening its doors in 1998, The Children’s Advocacy Center of NEPA has helped more than 18,000 children and adolescents. All funds raised will further the Children’s Advocacy Center of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s mission.For more information about the CAC/NEPA, please call the center at 570-969-7313 or visit the CAC/NEPA’s website: www.cacnepa.org.
String Fling Returns to the Scranton Cultural Center on April 8 Featuring an All Acoustic Evening with Mike Miz & Good Company! The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple announces a retooled String Fling, offering an all-acoustic evening with Mike Miz on April 8 at 7 PM. This is a one-night stop from Nashville for Mike Miz, who hasn’t performed in NEPA since the fall. Since signing with 3 Electric Records, Mike Miz has been gaining speed with such new single releases as “Virginia” and “High for Now.” As described by Rolling Stone Magazine, the song “Virginia” is a “monster of a jam rocker that like the Stones did decades before him, pins an irresistible melody to one of Rock’s most pined after three syllable names.” Along with Michael Borowski on piano and Stephen Kurtz on upright bass, Miz will bring an old-time country Americana feel to his set similar to what audiences might see in Nashville. The remaining lineup includes star-studded locals such as Bret Alexander (The Badlees) joined by friends Tim & Rob Husty, AJ Jump and special guest, Ellie Rose. Bret is also no stranger to large-scale touring and recording success with many years with the Badlees whose nationally acclaimed hits are “Angeline is Coming Home,” “Fear of Falling” and “Gwendolyn.” Roy Williams (South Side Five, Bog Swing, Fiddle Tamers, Human Hands) will be accompanied by Shawn Caden as they debut their new duo, Big Leaf; with music made for guitar and mandolin. Opening the show is one of the region’s favorite singers/songwriters and storytellers, Dave Brown (Dishonest Fiddlers) who recently moved to the Harrisburg area. The program is designed to be a special intimate “unplugged” version of some of the area’s favorite rockers as they perform mixed sets of original music, folklore and more. The concert will take place in the Scranton Cultural Center’s Shopland Hall on the fourth floor at 7:00 p.m. with the doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Seating is general admission and tickets are $28.25 in advance and $38.25 day of show. Both cabaret-style seating and bench seating will be available. Tickets can be purchased at the Fidelity Bank Box Office at the SCC in person or by calling (570) 344-1111, or via Ticketmaster. String Fling is sponsored by Toyota of Scranton, UGI Utilities, Inc., The Hilton Scranton & Conference Center and LT Verrastro. It is supported by Lackawanna County and the PA Council on the Arts. PLEASE NOTE: Masks are highly recommended for all patrons, regardless of vaccination status. For additional information about the SCC’s current COVID-19 Mitigation Policies, visit SCCMT.org/COVID. For additional information and a full schedule of events, visit SCCMT.org. The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple’s 2021-2022 Season is sponsored by Fidelity Bank and LT Verrastro and supported by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, and the Lackawanna County Office of Arts and Culture, and Commissioners Jerry Notarianni, Debi Dominick, Esq. and Chris Chermak. A special thank you to its media partners: Access NEPA, Allied Services, Audacy, Citizens’ Voice, Lamar Advertising, MAC Signs, The Times-Tribune, Times Shamrock Communications and Eyewitness News – WBRE/WYOU – pahomepage.com.
Marywood University Signs Memorandums of Understanding with Arab Academy of Science and the Seoul Institute of the Arts Arab Academy of Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport representatives meet with Marywood representatives; from left to right: Dr. Chris Speicher; Dr. David Kang; Dr. Aiman Ragab; Sister Mary Persico, IHM; Dr. Mohamed Ragheb, and Dr. Christina Clark. Marywood University, Scranton, Pa., recently signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with two international educational institutions, Arab Academy of Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport (AASTMT), Egypt, and the Seoul Institute of the Arts (SIA), Ansan, South Korea. An international delegation from AASTMT visited Marywood’s campus in early March, including Prof. Aiman Regab, Dean of AASTMT’s Graduate School of Business, and Prof. Mohamed Ragheb, AASTMT’s Dean of International Collaboration, who signed the memorandum of understanding with Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Marywood President, Dr. Christina Clark, Provost. During their campus visit, several meetings were held to discuss academic cooperation and academic program development (especially for master’s and doctoral business administration programs, as well as other student exchange programs) between AASTMT and Marywood University. In addition, a recent Zoom meeting featured a virtual MOU signing ceremony with the Seoul Institute of the Arts (Ansan, South Korea). The SIA is one of the top institutions in Asia in the fields of film, arts, performing arts, theater, broadcasting, applied music, and more. Many world-class film producers, actors, actresses, and singers have graduated from the SIA
NBT Bank Recognized by AARP as Banksafe NBT Bank has earned a BankSafe seal from AARP recognizing the bank’s efforts to stop financial exploitation. In order to earn the BankSafe seal, more than 80% of frontline staff were required to complete a special training and the bank demonstrated further commitment with its policy to report suspected financial exploitation. NBT Bank was also confirmed by AARP to be in good standing based on a review of Better Business Bureau ratings as well as legal and regulatory activity. “We consider training of our employees to be a critical tool in protecting our customers from financial exploitation,” said Senior Director of Information Security Terra Carnrike-Granata. “Attaining this seal is further demonstration of our commitment to a robust fraud prevention plan.” Based on a Virginia Tech study from October 2019, it is estimated that BankSafe-trained employees helped stop more than $110 million from being stolen from the accounts of older adults. More than 2,000 professionals from the financial industry, trade associations, adult protective service agencies, non-profits, government organizations, regulators and the legal field helped AARP in the development of the training. The BankSafe Trained seal is not a product or service endorsement, but indicates that a financial institution’s frontline employees have been substantially trained in financial exploitation prevention.
The Wright Center for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education receives Gold Advocacy Center of Excellence Designation The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) has recognized The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education as a Gold Advocacy Center of Excellence (ACE) – the first community health center in Pennsylvania to achieve the gold standard. The ACE designation from the national body shows The Wright Center is dedicated to advocating for and supporting community health centers that provide comprehensive primary and preventive health services to medically underserved populations in rural and urban areas. “It is an incredible honor to be recognized by NACHC with the Gold ACE designation,” said Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak, president and CEO of The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education. “Our advocacy efforts extend throughout our organization, as our 625 dedicated employees live and deliver our shared mission to improve the health and welfare of the communities we are privileged to serve. I am very proud of their collective service efforts to ensure high-quality primary and preventative care are available for all of our patients.” An ACE is a community health center that creates a culture of advocacy to ensure that policymakers at all levels of government commit to investing in affordable, equitable and innovative care that health centers provide. ACE levels recognize consistent engagement, success and demonstrated ongoing commitment to making advocacy an organization priority. ACEs are actively engaged with NACHC and forums addressing federal policy issues, as well as their state primary care association and platforms to address key state and local-level policy issues that impact community health centers and their patients. NACHC awards three levels of ACEs: bronze, silver and gold. Each designation is valid for two years. In order to earn ACE status, a community health center must complete a checklist of activities and accomplishments as outlined by NACHC. Wright Center employees, for example, develop and write guest editorials that raise awareness and address important public health issues that affect community health centers and patients. An in-house advocacy committee offers training, while the organization also hosts elected officials at its regional primary care practices. The executive leadership team participates in important meetings at the local, state and national levels that promote responsive solutions to important health care delivery issues and health outcomes. For more information about The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education, go to TheWrightCenter.org .
Marywood University Names New Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Services Robert C. Piurowski Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D., president of Marywood University, Scranton, Pa., recently appointed Robert C. Piurowski, Delhi, N.Y., to the position of vice president of enrollment management and student services. He succeeds Ann Boland-Chase, Dunmore, Pa., who recently retired from that position after many years of service to the University. “Rob resonates with our mission, is passionate about education, and shares our belief that education empowers people,” stated Sister Mary Persico when she announced Mr. Piurowski’s appointment. As an officer of the university, he will serve as a member of the President’s Cabinet and oversee Marywood’s admissions/enrollment and student service areas. Mr. Piurowski comes to Marywood University from the State University of New York College of Technology at Delhi (Delhi, N.Y.), where he served as director of admissions and enrollment management. He has devoted his professional career to various facets of enrollment management and student services in higher education, serving in roles from admissions counselor to director of admissions and recruitment at several institutions, including Bernard M. Baruch College, City University of New York (New York City, N.Y.); Concordia College (Bronxville, N.Y.); Binghamton University (Binghamton, N.Y.); and State University of New York College at Potsdam (Potsdam, N.Y.). Wherever he has served, Mr. Piurowski has consistently achieved an increase in student enrollment with initiatives for recruiting students from both inside and outside of the United States, and particularly from China, India, and Germany. In addition, his expertise encompasses student services, student advising, technology and data analytics, communications, service to the campus community, coaching, equity and inclusion work, and the Middle States accreditation process. He has given numerous professional presentations, such as best practices for student access, opportunity, and success; admissions marketing/recruitment; the changing landscape in college admissions; leadership topics; and other relevant issues about the college process, including learning differences. Throughout his career, Mr. Piurowski has demonstrated a strong record of college and university service, serving on a broad range of search committees, advisory boards, and councils, as well as in mentorship roles. His professional affiliations include the New York State Association for College Admission Counseling, National Association for College Admission Counseling, State University of New York College Admissions Professionals, and American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, among others. Mr. Piurowski holds a master of science degree in education from Bernard M. Baruch College (New York City, N.Y.) and an advanced certificate in Project Management from Empire State College (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.), as well as a bachelor of business administration from the State University of New York College of Technology at Delhi (Delhi, N.Y.). He is currently a doctoral student at Binghamton University, State University of New York (Binghamton, N.Y.).
Scranton Area Community Foundation Co-Hosting Child Care Presentation Women in Philanthropy (the initiative of the Scranton Area Community Foundation focused on serving women, girls, and their families in Northeastern PA) and The Agency for Community Empowerment (ACE) are hosting a presentation on Thursday, March 24, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. regarding a recent regional study on the obstacles women and families face today regarding attaining quality affordable childcare, conducted in collaboration with Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC). This event will be held in-person and virtually and will share the study’s findings while inviting a discussion on opportunities for community-based solutions that minimize the barriers to quality affordable childcare. In-person attendance is limited but there is no cap on the number of attendees participating virtually. What: Child Care Needs and Barriers to Access Report/PresentationDate: Thursday, March 24, 2022Time: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.Location: University of Scranton, Brennan Hall, PNC Bank Board Room (320 Madison Ave., Scranton, PA 18510) Attendees can register to attend here: https://scranton.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/list/event?event_date_id=2221 Women in Philanthropy and the Scranton Area Community Foundation are interested in addressing the challenges families face in obtaining quality affordable childcare across the Lackawanna County region.
