Lackawanna College’s Rally for Restaurants Aids Local Restaurants, Scholarship With restaurants feeling the impact of COVID-19, Lackawanna College teamed up with Scranton Tomorrow and the City of Scranton to raise money to help local restaurant owners and workers make ends meet. The effort raised over $30,000, which went directly to participating restaurants, and over $7,000 for the Lackawanna College School of Hospitality scholarship fund. Lackawanna College’s student-run restaurant, 409 on Adams, pivoted in a multi-faceted effort to help support the restaurant industry while also giving students valuable culinary experience with some of the area’s leading chefs. “Rally for Restaurants exemplified what our region is known for-neighbors helping neighbors. We were honored to serve alongside the City of Scranton and Scranton Tomorrow to bring much-needed dollars to local restaurants,” said Stephanie Decker, Associate Vice President of Social and Economic Impact. “Lackawanna College and our students are so excited to continue this program as we prepare the newest restaurant workforce to emerge equipped to sustain and fortify the local restaurant economy and arts and culture of our region.” Lackawanna’s School of Hospitality students worked alongside expert chefs from eight local restaurants, serving a total of 684 meals since the initiative launched in February 2020. A combination of generous sponsorships and in-kind donations helped offset the operating costs for the events, along with funds raised from private donations and t-shirt sales. “I want to thank Lackawanna College and all of the students, and anyone involved at the College who has generously donated their time and energy to put these events on. There are few places like Scranton where you see a community rally around each other in times of need. It has been the bright spot in an otherwise dark year,” said Patrick Nasser, co-owner of Backyard Alehouse. Lackawanna College will launch a second Rally for Restaurants initiative beginning next month. Rally for Restaurants Recap Video: https://youtu.be/iUS7Kp4uYk8Rally for Restaurants Web Page: https://www.lackawanna.edu/rally-for-restaurants/
Lackawanna College Awarded Funding for Suicide Prevention The Pennsylvania Higher Education Suicide Prevention Coalition has awarded Lackawanna College a mini-grant to launch “You Matter”, a student-led project that combines a visual suicide prevention campaign with a one-day suicide prevention event. The grant will be used to install large-scale inspirational message decals and support an event for Lackawanna students, faculty and staff to provide education on suicide prevention. At the event, participants will write encouraging messages to support students who are struggling on a banner that will be displayed on campus. The campaign, led by Lackawanna’s PRIDE student organization and supported by the Student Engagement and Student Wellness programs, will be launching a platform for creating an Active Minds chapter in fall 2021. Active Minds is a nonprofit organization that supports mental health awareness and education for students. “Our PRIDE club students are so excited about this initiative because it reflects what PRIDE stands for in promoting peace, respect, inclusion, dignity, and equality with oneself,” said Christine Kiehart, Lackawanna College Associate Professor in Academic Development. The project builds on the College’s current efforts to implement suicide prevention programming for students and trauma-informed care training for staff. Through the “You Matter” event, the college seeks to change campus culture by promoting positive self-esteem and encouraging conversation about suicide prevention and mental health.
Lackawanna College and Harrisburg University Sign Transfer Agreement Lackawanna College and Harrisburg University of Science and Technology have signed an agreement that will make it easier for students from Lackawanna College to continue their education at Harrisburg University. Thanks to the 2+2 agreement signed this month, academically qualified students who earn an Associate of Science Degree in Cyber Security from Lackawanna College will be able to transfer into Harrisburg University’s Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity Operations and Management program at junior-level standing. The agreement marks the second accord HU has signed with Lackawanna College. Last year, HU and Lackawanna College inked an agreement that grants students who complete Lackawanna’s RN-to-BSN nursing program acceptance into HU’s Master of Science in Nursing program. “We recognize the need for well-trained cyber security professionals across the nation, and we are proud to provide our students with the opportunity to complete their bachelor’s degrees,” said Lackawanna College President, Dr. Jill Murray. “This agreement with Harrisburg University allows our students to further pursue studies that will prepare them to fill these high-demand positions in their field.” Lackawanna College students who transfer to HU will enjoy the same benefits as current HU students and will be provided equal opportunities in applying for financial aid and in the award and distribution of funds. Lackawanna College students transferring to HU also will receive consideration for campus housing on the same basis as native HU students. “This partnership will allow Harrisburg University and Lackawanna College to better serve students in Pennsylvania,” said Harrisburg University President Dr. Eric Darr. “Our teams are dedicated to making this partnership successful, and I think there are a lot of other significant opportunities for us to work together to meet workforce needs. I look forward to expanding our partnership with Lackawanna College.”
Lackawanna College Receives It’s On Us PA Grant Lackawanna College received a grant award of $19,250 as part of Governor Tom Wolf’s 2020-21 It’s On Us PA grant program. This is the third time Lackawanna College has received this grant.The College joins 42 postsecondary institutions across the state slated to receive this funding, which helps colleges and universities address and respond effectively to sexual violence on campus. To support the Governor’s It’s On Us PA campaign, Lackawanna College will launch its “It’s On Us, Lackawanna” initiative. The project will include targeted training for staff on Title IX procedures and trauma awareness and a variety of sexual violence awareness events during the “Red Zone”. The “Red Zone” is the first six weeks of the fall semester, a time when students, particularly freshmen, are most likely to experience sexual assault on college campuses. “We are excited and thankful to once again be a part of the State It’s On Us initiative. Providing the proper educational tools and resources are the first steps in maintaining a safe and comfortable campus environment,” said Brian Costanzo, Lackawanna College Title IX Coordinator. “Dollars from this program will provide those necessary resources and opportunities to both students and staff members.” The initiative will educate, engage, and serve Lackawanna’s students, faculty and staff and improve the College’s current sexual violence response systems. The It’s On Us PA campaign, launched in 2016 by Governor Tom Wolf, was pioneered during the Obama administration. The Governor’s It’s On Us PA grant program aims to support post-secondary institutions’ efforts to create campus environments in which all community members are informed, active bystanders, working together to end sexual violence, and where survivors are able to access the rights, resources, and accommodations afforded to them through state and federal law.
Lackawanna College Assigns Key Leadership Role Lackawanna College President Dr. Jill Murray has named Stephanie Decker as the Associate Vice President of Social and Economic Impact and a member of the President’s cabinet. Decker previously served as the Executive Director of Social and Economic Impact and as the Program Director for the Lackawanna College Kiesendahl School of Hospitality. In this role, she assisted in the creation of new associate degree programs and the region’s only bachelor’s degree in restaurant and foodservice management. Under her leadership, her colleagues opened the student-run restaurant, 409 on Adams, which distinguished Lackawanna’s School of Hospitality as a school of choice for students to advance their careers in the hospitality industry. Decker has served in a leadership role on specialized teams dedicated to driving the formation of new and innovative programs at Lackawanna College, including the region’s first collegiate esports program and ecommerce initiatives. Additionally, she guided her leadership team in transitioning the College’s cafeteria from a retail-style foodservice program to a full-service, high-end cafeteria, which now serves students and the college community. She assisted in the development and execution of the College’s Food for Thought program, The Giving Room and the College’s fellowship program.
