Education and Workforce Development
Mission
To improve the quality of life and standard of living for the residents of northeastern Pennsylvania through Pre-K -20+ educators and workforce development professionals partnering with business to create seamless, high quality NEPA education system.
Motto
Education is our economic development future.
Purpose
The task force is comprised of diverse groups of professionals to convene and participate in creating policy solutions based on evidence and best practices that have the potential to impact statewide education policy.
The task force examines a variety of issues related to connecting educators to workforce development and business.
The task force will provide insight into methods to increase higher education attainment in NEPA.
The task force will work to educate the community on how education and an educated workforce is the most effective economic development tool the region has.
Education and Workforce Development Research
Visit The Institute’s You Tube Channel for short videos on our education and workforce development research.
Institute Research
Task Force Members
- Lucyann Vierling, Director, Workforce Alliance – Chair
- Jane Ashton, Director of Continuing Education, Penn State Wilkes Barre
- Karen Baker, Senior Director Advancement, Johnson College
- Jumee Barooah, M.D., Designated Institutional Official, The Wright Center
- Lynn Biga, Executive Director, Luzerne County Head Start
- John Blake, District Director, Congressman Matt Cartwright
- Julie Schumacher Cohen, Director of Community Relations, University of Scranton
- Matt Giombetti, Business Services Rep, EDSI Lackawanna County CareerLink
- Michelle Giovagnoli, Director of Institutional and Academic Grants, King’s College
- Jordan Goff, Business Services Consultant, Lackawanna County CareerLink
- Brad Kovaleski, Director of Student Services and Engagement, Penn State Scranton
- Sue Kuhl, Region 7 (NEPA) Career Readiness Liasion, LIU 18
- Jill Murray, President & Chief Innovation Officer, Lackawanna College
- Kellyn Williams, Associate Vice President of Special Programs, Johnson College
- Graceann Platukus, Ed.D., Director of Institutional Research and Planning, Luzerne County Community College
- John Pullo, Interim President, Keystone College
- Ann Sadusky, Director of Human Resources, McCarthy Tire Service
- Connie Sixta, VP for Quality and Assurance, The Wright Center
- Kirsten Smith, Director of Career Services, Fortis Institute
- Alissa Swarts, Director of Education, WVIA Public Media
- Debra Youngfelt, Executive Director, AHEC
- Gerald Zaboski, Vice Provost for Enrollment Management & External Affairs, University of Scranton
Sarah, a former Institute intern, joined The Institute in April 2021 as a Research Assistant. She started her new role as a Research Analyst in January 2024. 
Dr. Jolene Carey-Pace joined The Institute Team in 2021 as a Research Analyst. In 2023, she was named Senior Research & Policy Analyst. 
Jill Avery-Stoss joined The Institute in June 2018 to fill the newly-created role of Research, Data, Intern & Administrative Coordinator. She assists with the collection and management of data for purposes of ethical and efficient analysis. She visits partner campuses to market The Institute’s internship opportunities, and participates in event-planning logistical activities as well. In 2021, Jill was promoted to Director of Operations to reflect the diversity in her job description and the additional marketing and communication functions she successfully mastered in 2020. In 2022, Jill was named Chief Operating Officer after expanding into both research and administrative management functions. Jill is taking on project management, fundraising, and other executive leadership functions of the organization.
Research Analyst in 2022.
Ooms is responsible for all facets of research, organizational strategy, and management. Ooms is an active principal investigator in all Institute research. Ooms has been nationally recognized as a leader in regional economic development. She turned that skill into a research institute to help other regions develop and prosper. Her strategic skills have allowed The Institute to expand its services to the private and non-profit sectors for research and analysis in community health needs assessments, strategic planning, market and feasibility studies, and economic impact analysis.