Local rising high school students entered The University of Scranton’s University of Success program, a multi-year, pre-college mentorship program. From left, first row, are: Ali Callahan, Liz Cruz and Kiara Hughes. Second row: Noah Marin-Salvador, Elana Jones, Kodi Jordan, Will Young and Margaret Loughney, program director.
Submitted Photo
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.
Local students in the University of Success program are as follows: Ali Callahan, who attended Lackawanna Trail Junior-Senior High School; and Elana Jones, who attended Abington Heights Middle School.
Margaret Loughney serves as the program director for the University of Success.
For additional information, visit the University of Success website.
