Innovation Conference Academic Track
Colleges and Employers: A Partnership as Sweet as Ben & Jerry’s – Building a Cooperative Education Program
Are you an employer looking for a way to bring fresh young talent into your workplace? Are you a student who would like to graduate with a diploma and a resumé with up to one full year of workplace experience? Penn State Schuylkill Co-Op is a win-win partnership with employers dedicated to bringing the classroom and workplace together in some of the most sought-after areas! In this session, we will discuss the benefits of cooperative education for students, employers, and the regional workforce.
Dr. Patrick M. Jones
Professor of Music and Chancellor of
Penn State Schuylkill
Dr. Patrick M. Jones is professor of music and chancellor of Penn State Schuylkill. During his tenure he has overseen the addition of degree programs in areas of great demand such as nursing, cybersecurity, and information technology, as well as upgrades to the campus’ physical plant— including new laboratories for chemistry, nursing, and radiological sciences, a learning center, technology and equipment upgrades to classrooms and student recreation facilities across campus, and an addition to the administration building that makes it fully accessible and ADA-compliant. And, of particular interest to this audience, under his leadership the campus developed and launched Penn State Schuylkill Co-op in Fall 2020.
Kate S. Zimmerman
Director of Cooperative Education
Penn State Schuylkill
Kate is responsible for the leadership, administration, and management of Penn State Schuylkill Co-Op. She works closely with other departments in the Career Development Center, university-wide Career Services, faculty, staff, and employers to strengthen relationships. Kate oversees the Career Services team as well as student workers. She represents the campus at many events for employers, chambers of commerce, professional employer associations, and government agencies. She is a co-leader of the Career Development Professionals Conference planning team at Penn State as well as a member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. She presented at the Cooperative Education and Internship Association Annual Conference in April 2022 in Alexandria, VA. Prior to joining the team at Penn State Schuylkill, Kate was a music teacher in the Pottsville Area School District for nearly eight years. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Penn State University, Master’s in Music Education from the University of the Arts, and a K-12 Principal Certification through Penn State Harrisburg. She is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in Lifelong Learning and Adult Education through Penn State Harrisburg.
The Language of Water
Researchers from Misericordia University are translating the science of local water quality monitoring into practical steps to help land owners ”hear” what their wetlands are telling them. Through different programs, including remote real-time monitoring of a pristine wetlands area and monthly monitoring in a lake and stream ecosystem, researchers are working to educate community members about the importance of clean watersheds. And, as an added bonus, undergraduate students gain valuable experience working side-by-side with experienced faculty as part of the University’s Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship program, an excellent preparation for graduate school or to enter the workforce. Business leaders, educators and students can learn more about this practical research and progressive learning model to identify ways to partner with and participate in these educational experiences.
Dr. Cosima Wiese
Professor in Biology Department at Misericordia University
Cosima is a professor in the Biology Department, teaching courses in plant biology and environmental science and conducting research with students in the lab and in the field. Her research has focused on impacts of environmental pollutants on plants, and more recently she has focused on water quality studies. She is passionate about issues of the environment and engaging students in learning about those issues. She is a graduate of Bucknell University and earned a master’s degree and Ph.D. in Plant Pathology at the Pennsylvania State University. She is a proud Master Watershed Steward through Penn State Extension and enjoys participating in the educational and outreach opportunities through that program.
Digital Credentials as a Superior Signaling Mechanism in
the Hiring Process
Employers struggle to find the best candidate for a job because of friction in the hiring process. Hiring friction results from complexities with conveying information about skills. Conveying knowledge about a skill is difficult because of lacking standards for skillsets, variations in terminology, and understanding which skills should be communicated. Other factors not related to skills, such as resume length, grammar, and formatting issues, create additional friction in the process. If any aspects of the resume are perceived to be incorrect, then the hiring manager discards it. On average, a hiring manager makes this analysis in under ten seconds.
The use of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), automated systems commonly used to vet prospects, has further complicated the problem. ATS use specific parameters to identify ideal candidates. One study published in 2021 noted that 88% of employers indicated that qualified high-skill candidates were eliminated from contention because they did not meet the criteria noted in the ATS.
Ultimately, employers are not effective at advertising the skills they need, and job seekers are not good at communicating the skills they have. Digital credentials are a mechanism that can solve hiring friction. Digital credentials are sometimes referred to as digital certificates, digital badges, micro credentials, among other names. These terms are generally synonymous and used interchangeably. Digital credentials are electronic systems that verify the existence of skills. Credly, an organization that provides a digital credentialling platform, calls digital credentials a “common language of verified skills”. Current research is attempting to determine how effectively digital credentials can reduce hiring friction.
Frank M. Sorokach
Faculty Member at Penn State
Frank is a leadership and management expert with both practical and academic experience. His general focus is on organizational improvement through the development of systems and personnel. He has almost thirty years of applied management experience in varied disciplines and has been a faculty member at Penn State University since 2012. He has taught in resident instruction at the Scranton Campus, asynchronously at the World Campus, and delivers training to corporate clients. He has held leadership roles at the Penn State Scranton Campus and the Penn State World Campus.
Frank’s primary expertise includes economics, technology, project management, business strategy, risk management, marketing, and personal efficiency topics. His research is specifically focused on the application of new concepts and systems to improve efficiency. This includes the integration of not only technology, but also new management theory. Additionally, he has been a leading digital faculty consultant for McGraw-Hill Education since 2017.
NFTs in EDU: Acronym Soup or a Recipe for Success?
There is a new renaissance in the world of the arts and institutes of higher education are paying attention. NFTs (or non-fungible tokens) are changing the traditional marketplace by creating opportunities for designers and businesses to create and sell digital assets through the metaverse.
Alvernia University is taking this concept one step further by connecting students with traditional industries to revolutionize mainstream business.

Katie Hestor
of Alvernia University’s O’Pake Institute
Katie Hestor is a startup strategist and pitch deck coach. She serves as the Graduate Assistant of Startup Ventures & O’Pake Investments as well as the Assisting Business Incubator Manager at Alvernia University’s O’Pake Institute. Driven by vision, she uses it as a vehicle to help students and entrepreneurs reach their full potential.
Over the past 2 years, she has mentored over 45 businesses across various industries and is developing a program to support pre-seed and seed ventures.
Hestor is a Wilkes University graduate, holding a B.A. in marketing and a minor in entrepreneurship. She graduated magna cum laude, and with honors. In December 2022, she will receive her M.A. in organizational leadership.
Energizing Engineers for the Renewable Future
A global energy transition is underway as the world shifts from mostly centralized, fossil fueled energy generation facilities toward use of distributed, renewable energy resources like solar and wind. This transition will impose many technical, economic and social challenges that must be met in the coming decades. A unique Alternative Energy and Power Generation Engineering program was developed at Penn State Hazleton to prepare the next generation of engineers who will be at the forefront, facing these challenges and working to keep the lights on for everyone.
Understanding renewables requires a multidisciplinary approach. Our program combines coursework traditionally associated with mechanical and electrical engineering domains to provide the broad foundation of knowledge these graduates will need. We have assembled a group of faculty whose research expertise complements the renewable energy focus and provides opportunities for related undergraduate research and other extracurricular engagement. We’ve also developed a program of industry engagement that supports students as they develop career competencies and transition to professionals in the workplace.
This session will include a discussion on some of our successes and challenges in launching this multidisciplinary program, some of the exciting research and design projects our students have already completed and highlight some of our opportunities and hopes for the future.

Dr. Joseph Ranalli
Associate professor of engineering, Penn State Hazleton
Joe is an Associate Professor of Engineering at Penn State Hazleton. He has served as a faculty member in the campus’s unique Alternative Energy and Power Generation Engineering program since 2012 and coordinated the program since 2017. He teaches courses related to solar energy, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics and engineering design.
Joe holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Penn State and a Ph. D. in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Tech. His research interests include solar energy modeling and engineering pedagogy.
RISE from Poverty While Answering the Nation’s Skill Gap
Right now there are over 7,000 jobs to be filled just in NEPA, and as our current workforce
pushes toward retirement that number will only grow. Originated through the unique partnership
among Johnson College, United Neighborhood Centers, the Institute, and The William G.
McGowan Charitable Fund, RISE offers a life-changing opportunity for individuals affected by
systemic inequities to earn the education needed to step into these in-demand careers. The
RISE Team will discuss how this workforce development program is unlike any before, and how
it can have a massive, positive impact on our region.

Dr. Katie Leonard
President of johnson college
Dr. Katie Leonard joined Johnson College in January of 2007 as the College’s Coordinator of Grants and Annual Fund.
In her time with the College, Dr. Leonard formed industry relationships, reestablished the alumni program, increased annual giving, and initiated the College’s rebranding in 2011. She executed the College’s first-ever capital campaign in 2013, which raised, comprehensively, over $5 million to build the new Health Science Technology Center on campus, the College’s largest building project to date. After a nationwide search, Dr. Leonard was selected as Johnson College’s 8th President & CEO in January of 2018.
Under Dr. Leonard’s leadership as President & CEO, Johnson College joined the rankings of premiere technical education in 2018 by being ranked #10 on Forbes Top 25 Two-Year Trade Schools. Six new programs, Building Property Technology, Civil Design Technology, Industrial Technology, Mechatronics, Heavy Equipment Technology and Welding, Fabrication and Manufacturing Technology have been developed and have started accepting students. In 2021 the College reached record enrollment numbers for the third year in a row and was granted accreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Dr. Leonard holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from York College of Pennsylvania, a Master of Arts degree in organizational leadership from Mansfield University, and a doctorate of education from Capella University. Before bringing her talents to Johnson College, Dr. Leonard held multiple positions in York, PA, working with government officials and non-profit organizations. In York, she was the Executive Director of Downtown Inc., York’s Main Street Program. Dr. Leonard has also made significant contributions to the community outside of her roles with Johnson College. She serves on the board of directors of NeighborWorks of Northeastern Pennsylvania, Outreach Center for Community Resources, Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance, United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties, The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, and serves as a Trustee for her undergraduate alma mater, York College of Pennsylvania.

Lisa Durkin
Chief Executive Officer of United Neighborhood Centers and United Neighborhood Community Development Corporation
Ms. Durkin began her career at UNC in 1998 when she was hired as a Housing Counselor. In 2007 she was promoted to Director of Community Services where she supervised over 20 crisis intervention programs serving the needs of low income families and individuals. In 2010 she became Chief Operating Officer and developed an Education Department and Community Health Department within the agency. She has been actively involved in community initiatives including Women in Philanthropy, Penn State Scranton advisory board and various groups and committees addressing community needs. In 2012 she was named to the NEPA Business Journal’s top 20 under 40 and in 2013 she completed the Executive Leadership Institute through the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities at the University of Michigan. Lisa graduated from Mansfield University and completed the Achieving Excellence in Executive Education program at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.

Liz Finley
Program director of rise (Readiness in skilled employment)
Liz Finley serves as the Program Director for RISE: Readiness In Skilled Employment, a unique workforce development partnership that helps individuals RISE from poverty by obtaining credentials to secure an in-demand career. From actively recruiting qualified applicants, to expanding the program’s awareness through outreach, she is passionate about helping others succeed and can’t wait to see the ripple effect that RISE has on our region. A results-driven professional, who enjoys thoughtful, strategic planning and loves working with a solid team, Liz is dedicated to making a positive impact in all that she does.
A graduate of Penn State University with a B.A. in communications, Liz enjoys creative outlets such as painting and filmmaking and has served on the board of the local American Advertising Federation. She loves adventuring through the gorgeous outdoors here in NEPA, and has volunteered her time as committee member to the South Abington Township Parks, Recreation, and Shade Tree Committee.

Dr. Kelyn Williams
Associate Vice president of special programs at Johnson college
Dr. Kellyn Williams has been with Johnson College for 5 years working to enhance STEM learning, reduce student barriers, and engage women in various industries.
BARCO Technology in Business School Labs: What Timing!
Dr. J.C. Blewitt will present on the innovative use of technology in the classroom at the McGowan School of Business at King’s College. The college formed a partnership with BARCO technologies (a company based in Belgium) in 2016. They were looking for beta sites in the U.S. for some of their wireless conferencing technology. King’s became the pilot site for this innovative equipment, and the initial lab went live in 2018. Since its initial installation, King’s has added a second lab, a state-of-the-art data wall, and video recording capabilities in these innovative spaces.
This technology proved invaluable when the pandemic hit, allowing business school faculty to retain a live, in-person relationship with their students. Corporate partners and other schools have since visited King’s as they were in the process of installing their own custom solutions.

Dr. J.C. Blewitt of King’s College
Associate Professor of Management at the McGowan School of Business, King’s College
Dr. J.C. Blewitt is an Associate Professor of Management at the McGowan School of Business, King’s College. He teaches Marketing, Accounting, International Business, and Senior Seminar. J.C. is a 2007 graduate of King’s, a 2009 graduate of the University of Scranton (MBA), and a 2014 graduate of Saint Louis University (PhD). His research interests include marketing strategy, consumer behavior, non-profit marketing, and culture. Recently, he has co-authored two articles with undergraduate students thanks to the Summer Undergraduate Research Program at King’s. He resides in Kingston with his wife Meghan, and their two kids and dogs.
Taking the BPC Model International
Chris is currently chairing a Committee of the Accreditation Council of Business Schools and Special Programs (ACBSP). The ACBSP has over 1,200 members in 60 countries. Chris is leading the charge to develop an international Business Plan Competition with local, regional, and international components that will culminate in eleven (11) section finalists from across the globe competing next year in Chicago for major cash and investment opportunities. Chris will be using a number of guidelines, insights, and lessons learned from our twenty years of Competitions to make this a showcase initiative.

Dr. Chris Speicher
Executive Director of School of Business and Global Innovation at Marywood University
In addition, Dr. Speicher directs Marywood’s Entrepreneurship Program and is actively engaged in the University’s efforts to recruit students internationally. A three-time graduate of Temple University, Speicher is a continuous learner and recently attended the MIT Design Thinking Program. He has lectured all over the world, most recently in India and Bangladesh.
Outside of the classroom, Speicher has been involved with over 30 start-ups ranging from health care to real estate. His most famous start-up is DartDrones, the nation’s largest drone education company which he started with his daughter and CEO, Abby Speicher. In addition, his family operated a 5,000 bush Blueberry Farm in Wayne County, PA.