University of Success Seniors Graduate

Eighteen high school students graduated from The University of Scranton’s University of Success, a multi-year, pre-college program. Front row, from left: 2017 University of Success graduates Noah Molino, Matthew Christofferson, Sanam Kadyrova, Colleen Needham and Meghan Strachan; and Margaret Loughney, University of Success program director. Second row: University of Success graduates Katie Cotton, Eli Caminero and Victor Paiva. Back row: University of Success graduates Miranda Donovan, Justin Cooper, Paval Rodriguez and Tyson Saul. Absent from the photo are: University of Success graduates Jesus Fernandez, Keerthik Jangala, Krystine Jimenez, Eric Manchego, Joshua Price and Bridgette Reed.

Eighteen high school students completed The University of Scranton’s University of Success program, a multi-year, pre-college program that is designed for high school students to develop the skills needed to successfully gain acceptance to college. All the graduates have been admitted to post-secondary schools or chose to enlist in military service. East Stroudsburg University, King’s College, Arcadia University, Pennsylvania State University and Rhode Island College are among the colleges University of Success graduates will attend.

Students enter the University of Success at the completion of the eighth grade and continue through their high school years. The program offers enrichment courses in study skills, SAT prep, public speaking, math, science, art and cultural activities, as well as financial aid and wellness seminars. The ultimate goal is for University of Success students to be accepted into a four-year college or university.

The University of Success, offered free of charge to participants, is funded almost entirely by corporate and foundation grants. Donors to the program include AT&T, Charles A. Frueauff Foundation, Dime Bank, Fidelity Bank, Kuehner Family Foundation, MetLife Foundation, Overlook Estate Foundation, Peoples Security Bank and Trust, PPL, Proctor and Gamble, Prudential Foundation, Waste Management and Wells Fargo.

The following is a list of 2017 University of Success graduates, the high school they attended, and their post-high school plans.

Eli Caminero of Clarks Summit, Abington Heights High School, plans to attend East Stroudsburg University;

Matthew Christofferson of Tunkhannock, Tunkhannock High School, plans to attend Johnson College;

Justin Cooper of Tunkhannock, Tunkhannock High School, plans to attend Mansfield State University;

Katie Cotton of Carbondale, Carbondale Area High School, plans to attend Pennsylvania State University;

Miranda Donovan of Tunkhannock, Tunkhannock High School, plans to attend Arcadia University;

Jesus Fernandez of Tobyhanna, Scranton High School, plans to attend Lackawanna College;

Keerthik Jangala of Scranton, West Scranton High School, plans to attend Millersville University;

Krystine Jimenez of Scranton, West Scranton High School, plans to attend Marywood University;

Sanam Kadyrova of Scranton, Scranton High School, plans to attend Jacksonville University;

Eric Manchego of Scranton, Scranton High School, plans to attend Johnson College;

Noah Molino of Scranton, Scranton High School, plans to attend Pennsylvania State University;

Colleen Needham of Scranton, Scranton High School, plans to attend the University of Pittsburgh;

Victor Paiva of Scranton, West Scranton High School, plans to attend Marywood University;

Joshus Price of Scranton, Scranton High School, plans to attend Pennsylvania State University;

Bridgette Reed of Kingston, Mountain View High School, plans to attend Cairn University;

Paval Rodriguez of Scranton, West Scranton High School, plans to attend King’s College;

Tyson Saul of Scranton, Scranton High School, plans to attend Lenoir-Rhyne University;

Megan Strachan of Scranton, Scranton High School, plans to attend Rhode Island College.