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The Andrew Mazza Foundation in Support of Johnson College Announce the Andrew Mazza Diesel Jam 2021 to be held at the Circle Drive-in on July 10, 2021
Scranton, PA (April 19, 2021) – The Andrew Mazza Foundation in support of Johnson College is proud to announce that Andrew Mazza Diesel Jam 2021 will take place on Saturday, July 10, 2021, from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. after being postponed in 2020 due to the pandemic. To accommodate the increasing amount of attendees & participating vendors, this year’s event is moving to the Circle Drive-in located on the Scranton-Carbondale Highway in Scranton, PA. Diesel Jam supports The Andrew Mazza Foundation, the Diesel Truck Technology Program at Johnson College, & scholarships for Johnson College & high school students.
Diesel Jam is a celebration of the truck community, featuring a diesel, gas, & antique truck show, mobile dyno runs, industry vendors, apparel vendors, food vendors, live entertainment & more. It is an all-day (rain or shine) family-friendly event.
All trucks are invited to participate & prizes will be awarded for Best in Show, Best Big Rig, Best Tow, Best Pick Up, and Best Antique & Diesel Jam People's Choice. Additionally, cash prizes for the mobile dyno are $1,000 for Highest Overall Horsepower and Guess Your Horsepower prizes for 1st Place - $800, 2nd Place - $500, 3rd Place - $200, 4th and 5th Place - $100 each.
Early truck & mobile dyno registration can be completed through the Andrew Mazza Foundation’s website, andrewmazzafoundation.com/diesel-jam until June 30, 2021. The fee to register a truck is a $25 donation. Day of event registration & truck check-in will begin at 8 a.m. on July 10th, registration will be limited & will increase to $35 per registration. An additional $100 fee is required to register for the mobile dyno.
The Andrew Mazza Foundation started in 2016, supports & enriches the community through Andrew’s passions & hobbies. Proceeds raised from Diesel Jam will enhance & expand the Diesel Truck Technology Program at Johnson, provide both high school & Johnson College students with scholarships, & serve the community in which Andrew called home. Proceeds also aid The Andrew Mazza Foundation in hosting their annual Truck-or-Treat community Halloween event in Clifford for children & families in various local school districts.
The Diesel Truck Technology program at Johnson College prepares students as entry-level technicians with the latest information on diagnosis, repair procedures, preventative maintenance, & necessary safety applications in diesel technology. The program graduates more than 20 students each year who have an immediate impact on the diesel truck industry, especially in northeast Pennsylvania. To learn more about Johnson College’s Diesel Truck Technology program visit Johnson.edu, call 1-800-2-WE-WORK, or email
For more information, including how to become an event sponsor or vendor, please contact Dawn Ziegler at (570) 313-0369,
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Johnson College Offering Free Eight-Week College Readiness for STEM Occupations Program to Eligible Lackawanna County Teenagers
Scranton, PA (March 22, 2021) – Johnson College is offering a free eight-week College Readiness for STEM Occupations program for teenagers ages 14 to 18 years old, from low-income families, who live in Lackawanna County. The program starts Wednesday, April 21, 2021, and continues every Wednesday and Thursday from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. for eight-weeks. The program includes dinner for students and transportation between Scranton High School and the Johnson College campus if needed. For eligibility requirements and to register, contact Dr. Kellyn Williams, Johnson College’s Chief Academic Officer at
The College Readiness for STEM Occupations program includes presentations and hands-on discovery activities designed to increase awareness of career opportunities in the STEM workforce and to improve college-readiness skills. Participants are evaluated throughout the program based on attendance and discussion. The program will:
• Increase awareness of STEM-related occupations.
• Increase awareness of two-year options for post-secondary education.
• Designed for all students, not just those who will pursue post-secondary education or careers in STEM or STEM-related fields.
• Develop skills necessary for success in college and career.
• Increase student potential for academic and personal success through knowledge of campus resources.
Students who complete the program with at least 80% attendance will receive college credit (a $550 value). To qualify for the college credit, students will be required to sign-in at each session to verify attendance.
Johnson College provides real-world, hands-on learning in a caring environment and prepares graduates to enter into or advance in their careers. Johnson College degrees become essential careers. Johnson College was founded in 1912, and is the region’s premier technical college, offering 15 associate degree and 3 academic certificate programs. An emphasis on hands-on instruction is supported by a low student-to-teacher ratio. Located in Scranton on a 44-acre campus, the College is an accredited, private, non-profit, co-educational institution with a strong tradition of working with regional businesses and industries to ensure a skilled and qualified workforce. For additional information on Johnson College, please call 1-800-2-WE-WORK, email
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Johnson College Extends Scholarship Support to ‘YES’ Program Graduates
The Northeast PA Manufacturers & Employers Council and Johnson College today announced a partnership and a scholarship opportunity for YES (Your Employability Skills) Northeast Program graduates.
YES, which is administered by the Council, is a 120-hour, one-credit, year-round elective course that addresses the shortfall of basic skills that employers say are lacking in many job applicants. The course covers 38 modules in all, including communication, team building, interview/resume/cover letter writing, completing a job application, personal finance, conflict resolution, and time management.
In order to earn a certification and become a graduate of the program, students must achieve passing scores on both the TABE (Test of Adult Basic Education) and the Wonderlic Cognitive Ability Test, demonstrate an attendance rate of 95% or better, pass a six-panel drug screen, complete the 120 hours of curriculum, and earn their high school diploma. Since the program began in 2006, more than 8,500 students have enrolled in the program with 2,918 earning their industry-recognized credential.
Starting with the 2021 fall semester, graduates of the program that enroll at Johnson College are eligible to receive a $1,000 scholarship. In addition to the scholarship, students will also be awarded four credits based on prior learning assessment.
“The Council is proud to partner with Johnson College, as together we can help out industry by building tomorrow’s workforce today,” said NEPA MAEC president Darlene J. Robbins. “Manufacturers are currently facing a workforce crisis, with approximately 60 percent of today’s unfilled manufacturing jobs being caused by a shortage of applicants that lack proficiency in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), as well as employability skills. Through partnerships such as this one, we can bring more young people into high-paying careers by connecting them with the right training opportunities. This benefits not only the manufacturing sector, but all industries that Johnson College graduates may enter.”
“Our partnership with the Northeast PA Manufacturers & Employers Council allows YES Northeast Program graduates to save time and money as they pursue their ultimate goal of entering the regional workforce,” said Bill Burke, M.S., Johnson College Vice President of Student and Academic Affairs. “We look forward to these graduates experiencing Johnson College’s industry-driven, in-demand, hands-on training in a caring environment that we’re known for.”
Johnson College provides real-world, hands-on learning in a caring environment and prepares graduates to enter into or advance in their careers. Johnson College degrees become essential careers. Johnson College was founded in 1912, and is the region’s premier technical college, offering 15 associate degree and 3 academic certificate programs. An emphasis on hands-on instruction is supported by a low student-to-teacher ratio. Located in Scranton on a 44-acre campus, the College is an accredited, private, non-profit, co-educational institution with a strong tradition of working with regional businesses and industries to ensure a skilled and qualified workforce. For additional information on Johnson College, please call 1-800-2-WE-WORK, email
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Johnson College announced it has earned the 2021-2022 Military Friendly® Top Ten School designation.
Institutions earning the Military Friendly® School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. Over 1,200 schools participated in the 2021-2022 survey with 747 earning the designation.
The 2021-2022 Military Friendly® Schools list will be published in the May issue of G.I. Jobs magazine and can be found at w ww.militaryfriendly.com.
Methodology, criteria, and weightings were determined by Viqtory with input from the Military Friendly® Advisory Council of independent leaders in the higher education and military recruitment community. Final ratings were determined by combining the institution’s survey response set and government/agency public data sources, within a logic based scoring assessment. We measure the institution’s ability to meet thresholds for Student Retention, Graduation, Job Placement, Loan Repayment, Persistence (Degree Advancement or Transfer) and Loan Default rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans.
Jessica Farrell, the Director of Financial Aid and Certifying Veterans Official at Johnson College, said, “As the College’s certifying official, it’s my goal to make sure the process of using military benefits is streamlined and easy to understand. As the wife of a veteran I know first-hand the dedication and commitment these men and women have given to our Country and the last thing they should be worried about is how they are going to pay for their education.”
“Military Friendly® is committed to transparency and providing consistent data driven standards in our designation process. This creates a competitive atmosphere that encourages colleges to consistently evolve and invest in their programs. Schools who achieve designation show true commitment and dedication in their efforts. Our standards assist schools by providing a benchmark that promotes positive educational outcomes, resources, and support services that better the educational landscape and provide opportunity for the Military Community.” - Kayla Lopez, National Director of Military Partnerships, Military Friendly®
For more information about Johnson College’s student veteran programs, visit Johnson College’s website at https://johnson.edu/future-students/veterans/.
About Military Friendly® Schools:
The Military Friendly® Schools list is created each year based on extensive research using public data sources for more than 8,800 schools nationwide, input from student veterans, and responses to the proprietary, data-driven Military Friendly® Schools survey from participating institutions. The survey questions, methodology, criteria and weighting were developed with the assistance of an independent research firm and an advisory council of educators and employers. The survey is administered for free and is open to all postsecondary schools that wish to participate.
Criteria for consideration can be found at www.militaryfriendly.com.
About Johnson College:
Johnson College provides real-world, hands-on learning in a caring environment and prepares graduates to enter into or advance in their careers. Johnson College degrees become essential careers. Johnson College was founded in 1912, and is the region’s premier technical college, offering 15 associate degree and 3 academic certificate programs. An emphasis on hands-on instruction is supported by a low student-to-teacher ratio. Located in Scranton on a 44-acre campus, the College 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
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Johnson College in Conjunction with Don’s Machine Shop are Now Enrolling Students in CNC Machining Training in Luzerne County
Johnson College in conjunction with Don’s Machine Shop in West Pittston continues to bring CNC Machining training to Luzerne County. Starting March 1, 2021 students will train to utilize, maintain and program Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines inside Don’s Machine Shop’s classroom and lab at 100 Elm Street, West Pittston. Open enrollment for this 510 Hour CNC class is going on now. Space is limited. To learn more or to enroll, contact the Johnson College Continuing Education Department at 570-702-8979 or
CNC machinists manufacture precision products and components used in a variety of applications such as automotive, medical, electronics, aerospace, transportation, military, and more. Industries throughout northeastern Pennsylvania are currently in need of well-trained CNC machinist.
This 510 hour class for beginner-level students includes theory and hands-on learning experiences. The hands-on training, delivered at Don’s Machine Shop, is on some of the most state of the art equipment in the region. This unique, one-of-a-kind training will help open up new career opportunities right away. This relationship truly demonstrates how industry is a Johnson College student’s campus. Social distancing and mask guidelines will be followed at all times. The cost of the class is $7,500. Financial assistance may be available for those who qualify.
Since starting over 30 years ago Don's Machine Shop, Inc. has grown to be one of the largest machine shops in Pennsylvania's Wyoming Valley. Their 77,000 square foot climate controlled facility contains millions of dollars’ worth of modern equipment that are continually upgraded. Don's Machine Shop, Inc. employs 30 people and makes machine parts for companies around the globe. Many things have changed since this business started over 30 years ago, but their commitment to providing quality parts and service will never change. For more information visit http://www.donsmachine.com/.
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. Johnson College trains the workforce of northeastern Pennsylvania by immersing continuing education, degree and certificate earning students into industry from day one. We Work, so our students succeed. For additional information on Johnson College’s Continuing Education Program, please call 570-702-8979, email
