SCRANTON — Educational leaders at two local colleges are anticipating the needs of the next generation of hospitality professionals in the region.
The new Be NEPA’s Guest: A Hospitality & Tourism Workforce Initiative, announced Thursday by Lackawanna College and Luzerne County Community College, connects higher education, K-12 education and industry partners in forging career pathways locally.
As workforce development training becomes a greater part of high school education, Erin Keating, Ed.D., superintendent of the Scranton School District, emphasized the importance of giving every student the chance to get a head start on their career.
“For so long, dual enrollment opportunities seemed like they were only for your A students, and that you had to be in the top 25% of your class to have that opportunity,” she said at an event at the Marketplace at Steamtown. “What this (initiative) is showing is that there’s real credentialing, and associate and bachelor’s degree opportunities, for all kids and we want to expose them to all of those pathways. For our kids, the security and safety of having these educational opportunities in their hometown is essential for helping them be successful in the future. We want them to graduate with more than a diploma. We want them to have a direction, a purpose, and the practical skills they need to gain full employment.”
President of Luzerne County Community College John Yudichak speaks during the announcement of ‘Be NEPA’s Guest: A Workforce Initiative’ in the Scranton Public Market on the upper floor of The Marketplace at Steamtown in Scranton Thursday, November 5, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
President of Luzerne County Community College John Yudichak speaks during the announcement of ‘Be NEPA’s Guest: A Workforce Initiative’ in the Scranton Public Market on the upper floor of The Marketplace at Steamtown in Scranton Thursday, November 5, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Superintendent of the Scranton School District Erin Keating speaks during the announcement of ‘Be NEPA’s Guest: A Workforce Initiative’ in the Scranton Public Market on the upper floor of The Marketplace at Steamtown in Scranton Thursday, November 5, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Brian Miller, assistant general manager at Mount Airy Casino Resort looks towards the audience during the press conference announcing the ‘Be NEPA’s Guest : A Hospitality Workforce Initiative’ at the Scranton Public Market at The Marketplace at Steamtown in Scranton Thursday, November 5, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
The press conference announcing the ‘Be NEPA’s Guest : A Hospitality Workforce Initiative’ takes place at the Scranton Public Market at The Marketplace at Steamtown in Scranton Thursday, November 5, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
From left, John Yudichak, president of Luzerne County Community College, Brian Miller, assistant general manager at Mount Airy Casino Resort, Kelly Musti, associate vice president of academic affairs , strategy and effectiveness at Lackawanna College, Erin Keating, superintendent at the Scranton School District, and Holly Pilcavage, vice president of enrollment management and student success at Luzerne County Community College, hold up a check donated by Mount Airy Foundation during the press conference announcing the ‘Be NEPA’s Guest : A Hospitality Workforce Initiative’ at the Scranton Public Market at The Marketplace at Steamtown in Scranton Thursday, November 5, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
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President of Luzerne County Community College John Yudichak speaks during the announcement of ‘Be NEPA’s Guest: A Workforce Initiative’ in the Scranton Public Market on the upper floor of The Marketplace at Steamtown in Scranton Thursday, November 5, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Through Luzerne County Community College’s L3C Microcredential Academy inside the marketplace, students earn post-secondary certificates in culinary arts and hospitality management that can lead directly to associate and bachelor’s degrees at Lackawanna College.
Kristen McNally, director of the School of Hospitality and Tourism at Lackawanna College, called the collaboration “huge” for the area.
“Instead of competing, we’re joining forces,” McNally said.
Shanie Mohamed, executive director of JobsFirst NEPA, stated it takes a collective approach to cultivate a thriving employment picture.
“One of the things we recognize is that the future of our regional workforce cannot be built by any one institution alone,” she said. “It takes collaboration, it takes communication, and most importantly it takes a shared commitment to creating opportunities for people and businesses. When we align education, industry, and opportunity, we’re not just building a stronger workforce, we’re building a stronger northeastern Pennsylvania.”
The hospitality and tourism industry generates about $8.9 billion annually in economic activity and supports more than 50,000 jobs in the region. Still, it’s an ongoing battle for businesses to find qualified employees as more than 65% of hotels and 45% of restaurants nationally report being understaffed, said John Yudichak, president of Luzerne County Community College.
Additionally, JobsFirst NEPA reports there are more than 12,000 people under the age of 24 in the region who have not entered college or the workforce.
“The misalignment between job openings and the unemployed in our community is significant,” Yudichak said. “We need to address this to help those who are trying to find their way. High school students can earn college credits without leaving the city and adults looking for their first job, or to pivot to a higher paid job, can pursue a culinary certificate or a hospitality certificate, or an associate degree and a bachelor’s degree.
“Collaborative, regional partnerships among institutions are essential to breaking down the barriers to earning a post-secondary credential by making higher education more affordable, more accessible, and more adaptable to students’ needs. At LCCC, we have a new motto: Go here, graduate here, work here.”
As part of the new workforce initiative, the Mount Airy Foundation donated $25,000 to support students pursuing hospitality-related education and careers.
“Hospitality is the beating heart of northeastern Pennsylvania,” said Brian Miller, assistant general manager of Mount Airy Casino Resort in Paradise Twp. “It’s an industry built on warmth, service, and creating an unforgettable experience for those who visit our region. But more than that, it’s an industry built on people. Success always comes down to one thing: a talented, dedicated, and well-trained team. By connecting high school training with college education and real career opportunities, we are building a seamless pathway for students. We want our young people to know that they don’t have to leave home to build a successful, rewarding, and lifelong career. The future of hospitality is right here in Northeast PA.”