Outstanding Adult Learner Award Recipients Honored at Misericordia University

Outstanding Adult Learner Award Recipients Honored at Misericordia University

On Thursday, April 20^th, the 34th Annual Outstanding Adult Learner Award recipients with the Luzerne County Council on Adult Higher Education gathered at Misericordia University to celebrate this year’s recipients.   

This year’s award winners are Johanna Siscavage, Bachelor of Arts in General Studies from King’s College; Kelly Marie Hood, Pre-Professional Associate in Science from Luzerne County Community College; Gina Svoboda, Bachelor of Arts in Professional Studies from Misericordia University; James J. Burke Jr., Associate’s Degree in Business Administration from Penn State Wilkes-Barre; and Cristina Spradlin, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Wilkes University.

The LCCAHE is a consortium of the Adult/Continuing Education offices of Misericordia University, King's College, Luzerne County Community College, Penn State Wilkes-Barre, and Wilkes University. Each year the LCCAHE, the longest-standing collaboration between the Luzerne County colleges and universities, sponsors this awards ceremony to recognize the contributions and achievements of an outstanding adult learner at each institution.

All award winners underwent a comprehensive application process and were reviewed by a committee at each institution to be selected. The outstanding adult learner selected from each institution was an individual who demonstrated a commitment to learning and service, all while managing a family, career, and educational responsibilities. At the reception at Misericordia University, each Outstanding Adult Learner was presented with a plaque to celebrate their impressive achievement.

The award was presented to each of the Outstanding Adult Learners by someone from their institution who has been an integral part of their journey. The presenters included King’s College presenter Louis Palmeri, Academic Advisor for Part-time students at King’s College; Luzerne County Community College presenter Debra Passarella, M.A., N.C.C., L.P.C., Counselor of Accessibility Service at Luzerne County Community College; Misericordia University presenter the Honorable Judge Tom Munley, Penn State Wilkes-Barre presenter Dr. Natalya Vodopyanova, Assistant Teaching Professor of Corporate Communications; and Wilkes University presenter Dr. Ellen E. Newell, Associate Professor of Psychology.

For more information about Misericordia University’s Center for Adult & Continuing Education and this year’s event, click here.

Photo Caption: Left to Right: Cristina Spradlin, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Wilkes University; Kelly Marie Hood, Pre-Professional Associate in Science, Luzerne County Community College; James J. Burke., Jr, Associate's Degree in Business Administration, Penn State Wilkes-Barre;  Gina Svoboda, Bachelor of Arts in Professional Studies, Misericordia University; Johanna Siscavage, Bachelor of Arts in General Studies.