University of Success Celebrates 2026 High School Graduates

Eighteen local high school students graduated this spring from The University of Scranton's University of Success, a four-year program designed to provide academic, social and cultural enrichment to high school students.

Continuing a tradition that spans decades, the Class of 2026 successfully completed its journey and helped the program achieve its goal of assisting first-generation, college-bound students in completing high school and gaining entrance into a college or university or confidently pursuing the next steps that best fit their personal goals.

The University of Scranton will enroll five of the 18 graduates whose intended majors include accounting, chemistry, cybercrime and homeland security, business and early childhood education and special education. Students will also matriculate to Harrisburg University, Howard University, Lehigh University, Liberty University, Loyola University, Luzerne County Community College, Marywood University, Misericordia University, Penn State and the University of Pittsburgh.

Below are this year’s University of Success graduates, listed alongside their high schools and colleges and intended majors or career paths:

Royli Jesus Ayala, West Scranton — Loyola University, Biology Pre-Med

Sophia Chen, Delaware Valley — Penn State, International Relations

Trent Coffield, Commonwealth Cyber School — Harrisburg University, Cybersecurity

Corey Condon, Dunmore — Marywood University, Communications

Luis Angel Espino, West Scranton — Misericordia University, Neuroscience Pre-Med

Vishwa Gandhi, Riverside — The University of Scranton, Accounting

Lucianna Gonzales, Abington Heights — Liberty University, Biomedical Science

Emily McDonald, Wyoming Valley West — Luzerne County Community College, Nursing

Joshua Miranda, Cyber School Scranton — Art Pursuits

Elany Nunez, West Scranton — Lehigh University, International Relations

Engel Ovalles, West Scranton — Marywood University, Architecture

Yadhira Paromo, West Scranton — The University of Scranton, Chemistry

Juan Ramos, West Scranton — The University of Scranton, Cybercrime and Homeland Security

Elias Rios, West Scranton — The University of Scranton, Business

Brandon Sanchez, West Scranton — Gap Year, Business Owner

K’lea Palukonis, Abington Heights — University of Pittsburgh, Early Childhood Education and Special Education

Nmesoma Clare Udoye, Scranton — Howard University, Public Health

Layla Weeks, Abington Heights — The University of Scranton, Early Childhood Education and Special Education

The University of Success is funded entirely by corporate and foundation grants, ensuring there is no charge to students and their families. The program was created in 1996 and graduated its first full class in 2001. Applications are accepted and new students are admitted each year. The deadline for applications for the Class of 2030 closed earlier this spring.