Twenty-one Area Students Begin University of Success

Twenty-one rising high school students entered The University of Scranton’s University of Success program. The four-year, pre-college mentorship program began for the new participants with a two-week summer institute, which took place on the University’s campus in July.

The University of Success is an academic and enrichment program designed to provide academic, social, and cultural enrichment to area high school students. The program’s ultimate goal is to assist participating students to successfully complete high school and gain entrance into a college or university. Students enter the program at the completion of the eighth grade and continue through their high school years.

The summer institute provides learning experiences designed to engage the students in creative thinking, problem solving and communication through activities that expose students to concepts in various academic disciples.

The summer program featured presentations by University faculty, staff and students, including hands-on demonstrations by University professors Declan Mulhall, Ph.D., in physics and engineering; Michael Fennie, Ph.D., in chemistry; and Spencer Galen, Ph.D., in biology. At the institute, students learned about alternate renewable energy sources, sustainability and climate change, among other topics. Counselors from Lackawanna County Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center also presented. The institute included field trips to Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC) in Pike County and the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. The students also volunteered for a service project at the St. Francis of Assisi Soup Kitchen.            

Following the summer institute, the students meet monthly throughout their four years in high school.

The University of Success, offered free of charge to participants, is funded almost entirely by corporate and foundation grants. Donors to the program include Dime Bank, Fidelity Bank, Charles A. Frueauff Foundation, Carl and JoAnne Kuehner, Overlook Estate Foundation, Peoples Security Bank and Trust, PPL Foundation, Lisa A. Thomas, M.D., and Waste Management.

Students entering the University of Success program are as follows:

Tyler Amorim, who attended Scranton STEM Academy;

Stacey Aracena, who attended West Scranton Middle School;

Jordan Ayala, who attended Scranton STEM Academy;

Ali Callahan, who attended Lackawanna Trail Junior-Senior High School;

Liz Cruz, who attended Carbondale Area Junior Senior High School;

Symanys Cuadro, who attended Riverside Junior Senior High School;

Lindsey Fuentez, who attended Riverside Junior Senior High School;

Nashad Gamin, who attended Riverside Junior Senior High School;

Loanny Gonzalez, who attended South Scranton Intermediate;

Lorena Gonzalez, who attended South Scranton Intermediate;

Jazmarae Green, who attended South Scranton Intermediate;

Amaya Harris, who attended West Scranton Middle School;

Kiara Hughes, who attended Mid Valley Secondary Center;

Elana Jones, who attended Abington Heights Middle School;

Kodi Jordan, who attended Dunmore Junior Senior High School;

Andrew Lopez, who attended West Scranton Middle School;

Noah Marin-Salvador, who attended Mid Valley Secondary Center;

Diana Moreno, who attended South Scranton Intermediate;

Davi Motta, who attended Wyoming Valley West Middle School;

William Paneto-Quiles, who attended North Pocono Middle School;

Will Young, who attended Carbondale Area Junior Senior High School.

Margaret Loughney serves as the program director for the University of Success.

For additional information, visit the University of Success web site.