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.
Johnson College Trade Programs Thrive with Fifth Year of Record Enrollment Johnson College trade programs are thriving as record enrollment continues to outpace the previous academic year with over 630 students between its Scranton and Hazleton campuses. In addition to a record number of incoming first-year and returning students, Johnson College also welcomed its largest Industry Fast Track class to date. There are over 70 students from the Northeastern Pennsylvania region who have enrolled either part-time or full-time with Johnson College for college credits while also earning their high school diplomas. Johnson College has seen an increase in enrollment in the building trades programs of over 15% in the past two years. Programs in its Building Trades & Technology division such as its Electrical Construction Technology and Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning Technology programs have more than doubled enrollment in the last five years. “The College is expanding to meet the increasing demand for skilled technicians and technologists in our area,” said Bill Burke, M.S., Johnson College’s Vice President of Student and Academic Affairs. “With the addition of new programs and a satellite campus in the greater Hazleton region, we continue to hear from industry and community partners, students and their families, as well as area school districts that what we offer is invaluable and an asset to our area.” With a record number of students enrolled for the fifth year in a row, Johnson College works hard to fill the skills gap in today’s job marketplace – making the College’s recruitment and programmatic focus more on workforce development.
Scranton Cultural Center Announces Justin Willman on November 30 The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple will present the Justin Willman Magic for Humans In Person Tour on November 30 at 7:30 PM in its Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Theatre. Willman is a magician and a comedian known for his hit Netflix series “Magic for Humans.” Justin Willman will melt patrons’ brains while making them laugh. While he is best known as the star and creator of “Magic For Humans,” he is also well-known for his many television appearances on “The Tonight Show,” “The Today Show,” “Ellen,” “Conan” and more. Willman also served as a host for “Baking Impossible,” “Cupcake Wars” and “Win, Lose or Draw.” His live show is simultaneously mind-blowing and hilarious, and will likely keep audiences up at night wondering how any of it was possible. To learn more, visit JustinWillman.com. Tickets range from $45.15 – $58.30 with a VIP Package available. Prices are subject to change. Doors will open at 7:00 PM and a cash bar and concessions will be available. Tickets will be available for purchase beginning September 8 at 10 AM at the Fidelity Bank Box Office at the SCC in person or by calling (570) 344-1111, or via Ticketmaster. For more information or to view a full schedule of events, visit SCCMT.org.
Lackawanna College Receives $5,000 Grant The Dollar General Literacy Foundation recently awarded Lackawanna College a $5,000 grant to support adult literacy. This local grant is a part of the Foundation’s largest, one-day literacy donation of more than $13 million throughout the 47 states in which Dollar General operates to support adult, family and summer literacy programs. “This program has been really effective for building a bridge to college and career education for underserved populations. It is an opportunity I’m grateful to be a part of it,” Manager of the Lackawanna Language Academy (LLA) at the Hazleton Center Casey Weisbeck said. The Lackawanna Language Academy (LLA) will provide free ESL classes to benefit the residents of Hazleton, PA. The LLA will serve 48 individuals by offering two, 10-week ESL classes that will occur in Summer and Fall 2023. In-person instruction of literacy skills and take-home lessons will assist Spanish-speaking individuals with limited English proficiency to improve their speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills by at least 2 proficiency levels to attain Adult Basic English proficiency. Experienced ESL Instructors will provide responsive, individualized instruction using a variety of teaching methods and assessment tools. If a student desires to continue their studies upon completion of the course, LC offers Continuing Education Certifications for the Workforce and an English Proficiency college certificate in an 18-credit program that advances English learning and prepares learners for college-level work. “It is a joy to celebrate this historic grant announcement during our 30th anniversary year,” shared Denine Torr, executive director of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. “For three decades, DGLF’s investment in community programs has created meaningful access to literacy skills for adults, children and families alike and exemplified Dollar General’s mission of Serving Others. We believe everyone deserves the opportunity and access to a quality education, and we look forward to seeing these literacy grants inspire reading and build brighter futures.” The Dollar General Literacy Foundation supports organizations that increase access to educational programming, stimulate and enable innovation in the delivery of educational instruction and inspire a love of reading. Each year, DGLF awards funds to nonprofit organizations, schools, and libraries within a 15-mile radius of a Dollar General store or distribution center to support adult, family, summer and youth literacy programs. The Foundation also offers a student referral program for individuals interested in learning how to read, speak English, or prepare for the high school equivalency exam. Referrals to a local organization that provides free literacy services are available online here or through referral cards found in the Learn to Read brochures that are available at the cash register of every Dollar General store.
