Leahy Center
Undergraduate Admissions
Contact Us:
230 Kressler Court
Â鶹´«Ã½, PA 18503
Leahy Community Center
800 Linden Street
Â鶹´«Ã½, PA 18510-4699
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 Â鶹´«Ã½!
Contact
For any questions regarding the program, please contact:
Margaret Loughney
University of Success
The Â鶹´«Ã½
800 Linden Street
Â鶹´«Ã½, PA 18510
Or call: 570-941-4377
Our History
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.
Student Qualifications
To qualify for admission to the University of Success, applicants must be public school students in the eighth grade who have the potential to pursue higher education and who meet at least two of the three criteria listed below:
1. Student is a potential first generation college student in his/her family
2. Student’s family is economically disadvantaged
3. Student’s background is historically underrepresented in higher education
Â鶹´«Ã½ Collaborators
Counseling and Human Resources - Gerianne Barber
Education Department - Dr. Maria Oreshkina and Dr. Jennifer C. Kaschak
Health & Human Performance - Dr. Paul Cutrufello
Financial Aid Office - Mary Kay Aston and Deirdre Curry
Hope Horn Gallery Director - Dr. Darlene Miller-Lanning
Communication Department - Dr. Rebecca L. Mikesell
Admissions - Grace Sakevitch
Biology Department - Dr. Terrance Sweeney, Dr. Spencer Galen, Dr. Jong-Hyun Son, Dr. Robert Waldeck, Dr. Maria Squire, Tara Fay
Chemistry Department - Dr. Michael Fennie
Physics Department - Dr. Declan Mulhall
Director of Sustainability - Mark Murphy
Summer Programs
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 Â鶹´«Ã½ 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.
Saturday Sessions
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.
Tutoring
Success students' grades are monitored and students and/or their parents may request a tutor. Individual tutoring is provided as needed by Â鶹´«Ã½ student mentors.
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 Â鶹´«Ã½ volunteer to serve as mentors.
Parent Programs
The University of Success provides support for the parents of participating students. Twice a year, parents are invited to The Â鶹´«Ã½, where they hear presentations on college planning, financial aid and parenting skills.
Donor Acknowledgement
Our Funding Partners:
AT&T
The Dime Bank
Fidelity Bank
Charles A. Frueauff Foundation
Carl J. & JoAnne M. Kuehner
Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials, Inc.
Peoples SecurityBank & Trust
The Overlook Estate Foundation
Dr. Lisa A. Thomas, M.D.
PPL
Waste Management
The Â鶹´«Ã½ participates in the EITC (Educational Improvement Tax Credit) Program!
The Â鶹´«Ã½’s University of Success program is an eligible recipient of your business’ tax credit dollars as an Educational Improvement Organizations with the PA Department of Community & Economic Development. Find out how to put your business’ tax credit dollars to work in a way that directly benefits promising Northeastern Pennsylvania high school students. Call 570-941-4262 for information.