from typing import Any, Dict, Optional

def format_response(success: bool, message: str, data: Optional[Any] = None) -> Dict[str, Any]:
    """
    Format standard API JSON responses to match client-side expectations.
    Usage Example: return format_response(True, "Data fetched successfully", alumni_list)
    """
    response = {
        "success": success,
        "message": message
    }
    if data is not None:
        response["data"] = data
    return response