Lackawanna College Named a “2023 Great College to Work For” This honor places Lackawanna College as an elite company. Lackawanna College is one of the best colleges in the nation to work for, according to the Great Colleges to Work For® program. The results, released today in a special insert of The Chronicle of Higher Education, are based on a survey of 194 colleges and universities. In all, 72 of those institutions achieved “Great College to Work For” recognition for specific best practices and policies. Results are reported for small, medium, and large institutions, with Lackawanna College included among the small universities with 500 to 2,999 students. Lackawanna College won honors in the following categories this year: Professional Development Mission & Pride Supervisor/Department Chair Effectiveness Faculty & Staff Well-being Faculty Experience Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Lackawanna College was also named to the Great Colleges Honor Roll, a status granted to only 42 colleges each year who are highlighted most across the recognition categories. “This is a very proud moment for Lackawanna College. Our employees are changing lives every day and having a positive social and economic impact in our communities. In return, we strive to provide a supportive and collaborative work culture, that values their contributions and prioritizes their well-being. Our growth and successes have been a direct result of employee input, hard work and commitment. Thank you to everyone at Lackawanna College who help to make this a great place to work,” Lackawanna College President and Chief Innovation Officer Jill Murray said. The survey results are based on a two-part assessment process: an institution questionnaire that captures employment data and workplace policies from each institution, and a survey administered to faculty, administrators, and professional support staff. The primary factor in deciding whether an institution received recognition was the employee feedback. “This year we had our highest employee survey participation rate and knowing that makes this recognition even more rewarding,” said Renee Mundy, Esq., SPHR, SHRM-SCP. “Our employees live our mission every day and are committed to improving the lives of our students and our surrounding communities. It takes a special group of individuals to do that, and we are thankful for their dedication and grateful they have chosen to be part of our team. They are the reason we are a Great College to Work For.” The Great Colleges to Work For® program is one of the largest and most respected workplace-recognition programs in the country. For more information and to view all current and previous recognized institutions, visit the Great Colleges program website at GreatCollegesProgram.com and GreatCollegesList.com. ModernThink, a strategic human capital consulting firm, administered the survey and analyzed the results.
Johnson College Hosts Celebration of Industry to Honor Industry Champion and Support Students Johnson College hosted its inaugural Celebration of Industry at its Scranton campus on Thursday, September 7, to celebrate the unique relationship between the College and its industry partners. Proceeds from the signature fundraising event exceeded $100,000 and will benefit the College’s Innovation at Work Capital Campaign to improve programs and facilities for student success. The College honored David F. Boniello ’84, president of Simplex Industries, during the event for his leadership and contributions to, and on behalf of, Johnson College and the Northeastern Pennsylvania region. He was awarded the President’s Spirit of Giving award by Dr. Katie Leonard, President & CEO of Johnson College. This award is an artistic representation of industry, community, and education made of steel and welded together in a flowing design. It was created by the College’s Welding Technology Program Director, Tony DeLucca, and welding instructors, Ben Lipperini and Josh Perniciaro. The event featured cocktails and dinner before beginning the award segment of the evening where members of Johnson College and Simplex Industries communities introduced Mr. Boniello including Dr. Leonard, J. Patrick Dietz, Senior Vice President of People’s Security Bank and Trust and Chairperson of Johnson College’s Board of Directors, and Pat Fricchione Jr., CEO and General Partner of Simplex Homes. “When you work alongside Dave in any way, you have a friend for life. Someone who will cheerlead, advocate, and be brutally honest as needed,” said Dr. Leonard. More than 240 industry leaders, government officials, industry and community partners, and supporters of Johnson College joined the College in celebration as Dr. Leonard proudly bestowed the award on Mr. Boniello. “As we think of Dave, he embodies all that this award represents – he gives so generously of his time, talent, and treasure,” she said. After graduating from Johnson College’s Building Construction Technology program in 1984, Mr. Boniello became an active member of the College. He participated in Program Advisory Committees, became the first alum to be named Chair of the Board of Directors in 2016, and is now serving as Chair of the College’s Innovation at Work Capital Campaign In addition to his commitment to the College, Boniello has served Simplex Industries for over 30 years, climbing the ranks to his current role as President. He was an instrumental part of the company’s efforts to launch its own retail division for home sales called Cornerstone Building Solutions Inc. of which he also serves as President. Mr. Boniello is also a former board member of the Lackawanna Home Builders Association and Home Builders Association of Northeastern Pennsylvania, along with the Women’s Resource Center Golf Tournament Committee. “I am truly honored and humbled at being selected with this honor by the College,” said Mr. Boniello. “It has been very rewarding to me personally and professionally to be able to work with the College and help support the programs and efforts given by everyone.” Simplex Industries has been an industry partner with Johnson College for over 25 years. The relationship between these organizations continues to thrive with support from Mr. Boniello while it benefits both organizations and most importantly, the local community.
Outreach – Center for Community Resources to Host the 2023 Mighty Oak Awards As Outreach – Center for Community Resources celebrates 35 years, Outreach invites the community to join in the celebration at the 2023 Mighty Oak Awards on October 5, 2023, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at the Glenmaura National Golf Club in Moosic, PA. This year’s Mighty Oak Awardee is Dr. Ruth A. Connolly, and Kate Holod and Bill Burnell will be honored with the Beth Beh Community Spirit Award. The Mighty Oak Awards honor those in Northeastern Pennsylvania who are pillars for their leadership and contributions to the community. The 2023 Mighty Oak honoree is Dr. Ruth A. Connolly, former Development Director of Outreach. Dr. Connolly has spent over 50 years serving the community through her early childhood, middle school, and high school education work. She served as Outreach, then known as the Economic Opportunity Training Center of NEPA, as the Development Director, where she was instrumental in fundraising for the renovation of the Seventh Avenue Center. Outreach is still located at the Seventh Avenue Center today in Scranton. Most recently, she is the Director of the North Pocono Dry Good Pantry. The Beth Beh Community Spirit Honorees for 2023 are: Ms. Kate Holod is a member of the Outreach Board and Fundraising Committee. Ms. Holod has served as an Outreach Board member since 2006. Before retiring, she worked 35 years in state government, including 15 years as Director of the Bureau of Child Care with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. She is very active in the community. She recently was named President of the Board of the Kiwanis Club of Scranton and actively volunteers at many of the Kiwanis’ local initiatives. Mr. Bill Burnell is a longtime volunteer GED instructor for Outreach. Prior to retiring, he worked in commercial insurance for over 50 years and owned his own agency for nearly 20. Since retiring, he has become a very active volunteer in the community. For over 35 years, he has been a member of the Arc of NEPA Board and is the current Board President. He has a great love of the American Civil War era and actively participates in the Civil War Roundtable as a hobby. In 2022, Outreach began awarding the Beth Beh Community Spirit Award. This award recognizes and honors an individual or group with a long-standing devotion to community service through education, volunteer work, and citizen connections. Beth Beh was the original founder of the Women’s Employment Program (WEP) in 1986, the flagship program of the Employment Opportunity Training Center (EOTC), now Outreach. She devoted her life to developing and expanding community services that focused on single mothers and children in the region and provided mentorship to childcare professionals. The Mighty Oak Awards will include cocktails, hor d’oeuvres, live music, and basket raffles. Participant stories will set the stage for the awards event. Individual tickets can be purchased by visiting the Outreach website at outreachworks.org. Outreach Center for Community Resources delivers family educational and workforce development services and programs to the regional community to promote family stability and economic self-sufficiency. Outreach provides evidence-based early childhood programs that help families and children gain the skills to be healthy and productive community members. Outreach programs support families experiencing adverse life events, including economically disadvantaged families, individuals seeking services that are involved in the Women’s and Veterans Treatment Court System, residents at the Lackawanna County Prison, and justice-involved juveniles. Outreach improves the lives of over 4,500 adults and children annually with evidence-based family development, early childhood education, adult GED services, and workforce programs that support them as they navigate life’s challenges.
Marywood to Host Local Band “The Chatter” for a Free Event A launch party to announce a campaign to empower Marywood students for success will take place during an outdoor event on Friday, September 22, 6:30 p.m., on Marywood’s campus. The Chatter, a high-energy dance/rock band with music spanning many decades and genres, will headline this special event, which also is the kickoff to Marywood University’s Alumni and Family Weekend. The Launch Party is open to the community, Marywood alumni, students and their families. The event is free and open to the public, but advanced registration is appreciated. Refreshments will be available. For more information, or to register, please visit marywood.edu/chatter.
Treasurer Stacy Garrity Celebrates One Million Withdrawals from PA 529 Accounts September is College Savings Month and Treasurer Stacy Garrity celebrated today by announcing that more than one million withdrawals have been made from PA 529 College and Career Savings Program accounts. Since the program was created more than 30 years ago, account holders have used more than $5.6 billion to help pay for education expenses. “The fact that families have made more than a million withdrawals from PA 529 accounts is a dramatic demonstration of the impact this incredible program is having for Pennsylvania families,” Garrity said. “PA 529 has been helping Pennsylvania families save for education since it was enacted as the Tuition Account Program in 1992. The career landscape continues to change, but the dependability and flexibility of PA 529 remains the same – helping families save and pay for education expenses no matter what type of training or education their child seeks.” PA 529 accounts are designed to help Pennsylvania families steadily and strategically save for a wide variety of qualifying educational expenses, including apprenticeships, technical schools, colleges and universities, and even some K-12 expenses. There are two PA 529 plans to choose from, the PA 529 Guaranteed Savings Plan (GSP) and the PA 529 Investment Plan (IP). There are currently more than 287,000 PA 529 accounts, more than at any time in the program’s history, including more than 110,000 PA 529 GSP accounts and more than 176,000 PA 529 IP accounts. Families have nearly $6.8 billion saved for future education expenses. The PA 529 GSP allows families to save at today’s tuition rates to meet tomorrow’s tuition costs. Account earnings are based on college tuition inflation rates. Families can choose the tuition credit rate they wish to save at from community colleges to Ivy League universities. The PA 529 IP offers a variety of investment options, including target enrollment portfolios that automatically reallocate assets as a child approaches postsecondary education enrollment. The PA 529 IP has received three consecutive Morningstar Silver ratings – establishing it as a best-in-class 529 plan nationwide. “Since becoming Treasurer, I’ve taken big steps to make sure the PA 529 program is as affordable and accessible for any Pennsylvanian who wants to save for education,” Garrity said. “We’ve reduced fees for the PA 529 IP several times – including twice this year! And we’ve waived PA 529 GSP fees for two consecutive years. In total, these changes are saving account owners more than $11 million.” Both PA 529 plans have significant state and federal tax advantages, including tax-free growth and no taxes owed on qualified withdrawals. PA 529 accounts are not subject to state inheritance tax and do not affect eligibility for state financial aid. The PA 529 College & Career Savings Program was created by Act 11 of 1992, when Senate Bill 2, sponsored by Senator Robert Jubelirer, was signed into law by Governor Robert P. Casey, Sr. The bill passed both chambers of the General Assembly unanimously. “Senator Jubelirer, his colleagues in the General Assembly and former Governor Casey all deserve a great deal of credit for their foresight,” Garrity said. “Their bipartisan work to help families save for education continues to pay off more than three decades later.” Keystone Scholars, a more recent legislative initiative, provides children born in 2019 and after, with an automatic $100 to start education savings. The $100 will grow through investments made by Treasury and be ready to use for education expenses when the child turns 18. Families are encouraged to open their own PA 529 account and link it to their child’s Keystone Scholars account to see their total savings. Keystone Scholars uses no taxpayer dollars. Pennsylvanians with PA 529 accounts linked to their child’s Keystone Scholars accounts have already saved more than $65 million for future education expenses. To learn more about saving with PA 529 or Keystone Scholars, visit pa529.com or call 800-440-4000.
Commissioners Authorize Declaration of Disaster Emergency The Lackawanna County Commissioners have authorized a Declaration of Disaster Emergency for the County due to the catastrophic storms that swept through the area on Saturday evening, September 9. While the Declaration is for several specific areas hit the hardest, it also covers the entire County. Other communities that were affected and/or experienced damaged are encouraged to send in information requesting assistance. State, County, local and EMA officials have toured several communities impacted the hardest to survey the damage. Government officials are advising residents and business owners to document all of the damage to their property via written copy and photos. The data should be sent to their respective city, township, or municipality. It will then be submitted to the County’s EMA office and then on to PEMA for assistance. Delcaration of Disaster Relief
Johnson College Celebrates NEPA RISE Program Readiness In Skilled Employment has accepted its largest class size to date. Twenty-three individuals began classes last week as part of NEPA RISE Cohort 3 at Johnson College’s campus in Scranton, a class size that has nearly tripled since the program’s launch in January of 2022. NEPA RISE is a pilot program that integrates sector-based occupational skills training with executive skills coaching and support services. The program model integrates demand-driven training with courses and coaching designed to support the development of executive function (self-regulating) skills. We strive to lift participants out of poverty and into sustainable, living-wage jobs with benefits. “This program gives me and my kids a future,” shared a recent NEPA RISE graduate. The program supports participants with a variety of supports to ensure their unique success and help them reach both short terms, such as completing an academic course, and long term goals, such as building a career that offers a sustainable quality of life. “When you are living paycheck to paycheck, it’s hard to step out of your comfort zone and try to build yourself something new. NEPA RISE surrounds our students with the support to make the transition to a new career attainable,” shared Liz Finley, Program Director for NEPA RISE. Throughout the program, participants will have access and funded a variety of supports, such as transportation, childcare, technology, supplemental tutoring, referrals for health services, assistance maintaining or obtaining suitable housing, among others.
Marywood Attends Global Business Week Five students from Marywood University’s School of Business and Global Innovation participated in the X-Culture Global Business Week in Lublin, Poland, during the summer, with two students earning awards. Dr. Chris Speicher, Executive Director of Marywood’s School of Business and Global Innovation, served as the students’ professor and trip ambassador. Marywood students were members of two of the four winning teams selected by company executives—tying the highest college-winning representation at the conference. X-Culture is an international business plan competition in which students compete on teams composed of other students from around the world on real-life projects, set up by companies seeking to enter international markets. Each year more than 10,000 students participate in X-culture from over 400 institutions around the world. The top 150 students are invited to participate in the X-culture international symposium annually. Marywood’s students were split up to work with one of four Lublin-based companies, in a challenge to advise these companies on market expansion and other unique challenges each faced. The students received first-hand exposure in international business practices, toured the companies’ facilities, and spoke with company representatives and leaders, to further their understanding of the European market. Each company was assigned six teams, with 25 teams in total, and the teams with the best strategy and five-year plan were selected as winners of the challenge, with the chance for their ideas to be implemented into the company’s annual operations. Marywood students participating included: Michael Romano, Maywood, N.J., a junior business management major, who was a member of a winning team; Daniel Gomez, Miami, Fla., a sophomore sports management major; Gabrielle Troch, Newfoundland, Pa., a junior financial planning in business management major, who was a member of a winning team; Joel DeCarli, Archbald, Pa., a junior business management major, and Madison Guelho, Stroudsburg, Pa., a junior business management/health services administration major. “It was a trip that gave us exclusive first-hand experience into the world of international business and provided us with skills that will be valuable to our professional development and make us Marywood students stand out in the job field,” said Michael Romano, one of the award winners.
