University of Success
About Us
The University of Success is a pre-college program designed to provide academic, social, and cultural enrichment to high school students. Since the program is funded almost entirely by corporate and foundation grants, there is no charge to students and their families. The ultimate goal of this program is to assist participating students to successfully complete high school and gain entrance into a college or university. The University of Success helps students achieve this goal through a variety of activities and services from their current grade until they graduate from high school. Many Success students choose to apply and continue their education at The University of Scranton!
Apply - Student
For admission information to The University of Success Program, please click here.
Apply - Camp Counselor
The University of Success Summer Camp has camp counselor positions open!
Do you enjoy working with high school students? Are you looking for a two week summer job?
If so, click here to apply for a camp counselor position!
Contact
For any questions regarding the program, please contact:
Margaret Loughney
University of Success
The University of Scranton
800 Linden Street
Scranton, PA 18510
Or call: 570-941-4377
The University of Success was founded in 1996 in response to the growing trend of lower graduation rates and stagnant college enrollment rates for young people who are often underserved or underrepresented in the higher education process. Through creative and innovative programming and services, this early intervention program aims to encourage and motivate students to expand their horizons to include the goal of attending college, an aspiration that many of the students and their families may not have thought possible.
To qualify for admission to the University of Success, a student must be in the eighth grade and meet at least three (3) of the following qualifications:
- 1. Student is a potential first generation college student in his/her family
- 2. Student's family is economically disadvantaged
- 3. Student's cultural background is underrepresented in higher education
- 4. Student shows strong academic ability and is recognized by the guidance staff as having the potential to pursue higher education
- 5. Student must attend a public school
The Education Department - Dr. Maria Oreshkina
Exercise Physiology - Dr. Paul Cutrufello
Financial Aid Department - William Burke and Margaret Hynosky
The Art Department - Dr. Miller-Lanning
The Communication Department - Mary Beth Holmes
Admissions - Melissa Bevacqua
Biology Department - Dr. Terrance Sweeney, Dr. Maria Squire, Tara Fay, and Renee Giovagnoli
Physics Department - Dr. Nicholas Truncale and Dr. Declan Mulhall
Director of Sustainability - Mark Murphy
Students begin the University of Success program by attending a two-week residential summer academy. They live, eat, sleep, attend classes, and participate in recreational and social activities on the University of Scranton campus. The summer program provides hands-on experiences and field trips designed to engage the students in creative thinking, problem solving, and communication through activities that expose students to concepts in mathematics, physics, biology, space exploration, environmental science and earth science.
After completing the summer residential program students are required to attend one Saturday session each month. These sessions are often taught by University faculty. Topics include SAT prep, study skills, computer skills, language skills, college planning, career planning and other topics of value and interest to students, such as art appreciation and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) activities.
Success students' grades are monitored and students and/or their parents may request a tutor. Individual tutoring is provided as needed by University of Scranton student mentors.
Success students meet with a mentor in small groups of three or four as part of the Saturday sessions to discuss school concerns, career planning, and college planning. Mentors also often accompany students on field trips. Undergraduate students who are Education majors at the University of Scranton volunteer to serve as mentors.
The University of Success provides support for the parents of participating students. Twice a year, parents are invited to The University of Scranton, where they hear presentations on college planning, financial aid and parenting skills.
Our Funding Partners:
The University of Scranton
AT&T
Wells Fargo
MetLife
Frueauff Foundation
Overlook Foundation
Fidelity Deposit and Discount Bank
Dime Bank
Peoples SecurityBank & Trust
Waste Management
The Prudential Foundation
Weis Markets