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
- Katie Pittelli, Ed.D, President & CEO, Johnson College – Chair
- Karen Baker, Senior Director Advancement, Johnson College
- Jumee Baraoah, M.D., Designated Institutional Official, The Wright Center
- Erica Barone, Ph.D., Provost & Chief Academic Officer, Lackawanna College
- Matt Giombetti, Business Services Rep, EDSI Lackawanna County CareerLink
- Joseph J. Grilli, MPA, DPA, Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning, Luzerne County Community College
- Sue Kuhl, Region 7 (NEPA) Career Readiness Liasion, LIU 18
- Jill Murray, President & Chief Innovation Officer, Lackawanna College
- John Pullo, President, Keystone College
- Julie Schumacher Cohen, AVP Community Engagement & Government Affairs, University of Scranton
- Connie Sixta, VP for Quality and Assurance, The Wright Center
- Kirsten Smith, Director of Career Services, Fortis Institute
- Dara Soljaga, Associate Dean of Education, King’s College
- Alissa Swarts, Director of Education, WVIA Public Media
- Kellyn Williams, Associate Vice President of Special Programs, Johnson College
- Debra Youngfelt, Executive Director, AHEC
- Gerald Zaboski, Vice Provost for Enrollment Management & External Affairs, University of Scranton
Dr. Jolene Carey-Pace joined The Institute Team in 2021 as a Research Analyst. In 2023, she was named Senior Research & Policy Analyst. 
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.
In 2026, Ooms will serve as an advisor to the President & CEO, provide staff professional development, provide support services and participate in some research, and serve as a board member.
Jill Avery-Stoss, MBA is President and CEO of The Institute, a nonprofit organization offering community-based research and analytics in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Since joining the team in 2018, she has assumed various executive leadership duties. She was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 2022, assumed the role of President in January 2025, and acquired CEO responsibilities in January 2026. Jill is also an Aspen Institute Workforce Leadership Fellow.