University of Success Seniors Graduate

Thirteen 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. New York University, Rutgers University, Marywood University and The University of Scranton 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, Medico Industries, MetLife Foundation, Overlook Estate Foundation, Peoples Security Bank and Trust, Prudential Foundation, Waste Management, Weis Markets and Wells Fargo.

The following is a list of 2016 University of Success graduates, the high school they attended, and their post-high school plans.

Zachary Acosta of East Stroudsburg, Notre Dame High School, plans to attend Kane University;

Daniel Aguirre of Scranton, Scranton High School, plans to serve in the U.S. Army;

Babak Alipour of Scranton, Scranton High School, plans to attend The University of Scranton;

Isabel Alejandro of Tannersville, Notre Dame High School, plans to attend Rutgers University;

Tyler Brady of Dickson City, Mid Valley High School, plans to attend New York University;

Anthony Gigliotti of Carbondale, Carbondale Area High School, plans to attend Pennsylvania State University (main campus);

Jamary Gil of Scranton, Scranton High School, plans to attend Philadelphia School of the Arts;      

Jacquelyn Gillott of Weatherly, Weatherly High School, plans to attend The University of Scranton;

Jamil K. Islam of Scranton, Scranton High School, plans to attend Marywood University;   

Alexandria Pollock of Kingsley, Mountain View High School, plans to attend the State University of New York at Binghamton;

Kassidy Potter of Susquehanna, Susquehanna High School, plans to attend Misericordia University;

Blake Reed of Kingsley, Mountain View High School, plans to attend Albright College;

Sean Westawski of Hanover Township, Hanover Area High School, plans to attend Wilkes University.

Thirteen high school students graduated from The University of Scranton’s University of Success, a multi-year, pre-college program. Seated, from left: 2016 University of Success graduates Jacquelyn Gillott, Isabel Alejandro, Jamil K. Islam and Anthony Gigliotti. Standing: Daniel Aguirre, Zachary Acosta, Alexandria Pollock, Babak Alipour, Blake Reed, Sean Westawski and Margaret Loughney, University of Success program director.

Absent from the photo are: Tyler Brady, Jamary Gil and Kassidy Potter.