Sgroi will graduate from Penn State Wilkes-Barre this spring with a bachelor of science degree in information and technology and a minor in business. A graduate of Dallas High School, she is involved in numerous activities at Penn State Wilkes-Barre. Sgroi has served as a writer for campus student-led newspaper The Revolt, as a senator for the Student Government Association and as a member of the Just Do It Committee within the Student Government Association and has participated in leadership workshops and activities. In addition, she tutored other students and friends before officially becoming a part-time tutor in fall 2020 for the Wilkes-Barre campus Learning Center.
“I am extremely grateful and blessed to be considered and selected for this year’s Outstanding Adult Learner Award,” Sgroi said. “It has not been an easy journey, but I am happy that I was able to persevere and overcome many of life’s up and downs to finally earn my bachelor’s degree. This has been an amazing experience and has reaffirmed that you’re never too old to chase your dreams.”
Sgroi is completing a marketing research and development internship with EN2X Marketing in Wilkes-Barre, where she has concentrated on many facets of marketing, from content writing and social media posts to research. Her goal is a career in digital marketing and/or web design, combining her skills from both her major and minor.
Outside of school, her focus is on her family, which includes her husband of 19 years, their 18-year-old son, and her elderly parents, who live with them. Sgroi’s son, a high school senior, is on the autism spectrum and has learning difficulties so in addition to her own studies, she works with him to help explain and complete his coursework. She worked as a secretary for four years and volunteered as a member and a secretary of the Parent Teacher Fellowship at his previous school prior to its closing in 2019 in order to support him. Sgroi has also had a lifelong interest in music, participating in many music ensembles since childhood through her time at Millersville University and Wilkes University, where she was a community member of the Civic Band from fall 2017 to spring 2019.
“Jennifer’s journey from being a wife, a daughter and a mom of a boy with special needs to her current academic accomplishments and devotion to helping others is remarkable,” said Penka Farina, education and training specialist in the Department of Continuing Education at Penn State Wilkes-Barre.