EOP Alumni Stories

When I think about EOP I think about all the students that have reached their goals due to the amazing guidance and support they have received from the program. When I attended the summer bridge program before I started college ...

When I think about EOP, I don’t think of just one story. I think of perseverance through adversity, family-oriented morals and beliefs, and a love for giving back to the community. EOP has changed my life and helped me grow ...

It is difficult to choose one memory because my experiences as an EOP student are the foundation of my academic and personal journey. EOP gave me a second opportunity to higher education and gave me the tools to excel academically ...

The most vivid memory I have of EOP is my first year after completing the Summer Bridge program. As I journeyed through my freshmen year at CSUN I was having a hard time managing my school work and while also ...

The first memory I have of EOP is Summer Bridge. Summer Bridge helped me prepare for what was awaiting me at the University; not just the work, but also the freedom that comes from living in a University environment. Secondly, ...

What memory or story comes to mind when you think about EOP or your experience with EOP? I was told, “when you graduate you will enlist in the Marine Corp or go to College and the Corps is no place ...

EOP was a welcoming space where I met supportive staff that empowered my undergraduate experience while I broke through educational barriers as a first generation Latinx student. When I reflect on EOP, it was an instrumental program in my pursuit ...

EOP was the stepping stone I needed to get acclimated to college life, and when I think about college life as a whole EOP was the one thing that was consistent from year to year. EOP brings many memories and ...

I joined EOP at San Diego State University (SDSU) as a freshman during Fall 2007, where Chia Her counseled me. When I started at SDSU, I was a misguided, aimless student, and felt like I was going to University out ...

EOP was the foundation of my college experience. Every college memory I have ties back to the relationships I made through participation in the program - from friends, my sorority, to campus jobs - it all centered in EOP. I ...

Thinking of the EOP family at Chico State often brings tears of joy and happiness—without this program I would not have graduated from college. The support EOP provided me can be compared to a “life navigator” of sorts. Every person ...

When I think of EOP the first thing that comes to my mind is that I did not know what was in store for me. As a first-generation college student in my family, coming from a financially disadvantaged background, I ...

When I reflect back on my first college experience at Fresno State in the fall of 1988, EOP represented the “safety net” for success that I so desperately needed. Growing up with a single mother who was a welfare recipient ...

I grew up in a small town in California’s Central Valley where the norm was to work in agriculture or the service industry. I knew I had to go to college, somehow, so I worked hard in school, I earned ...

One of my career accomplishments that I am proud of is developing the school social work position for Fresno Unified School District. In my role as an attendance, I recognized that poor attendance was merely a symptom of a larger ...

A memory that comes to mind when I think about EOP is Summer Bridge! At first, I was not excited about attending summer school, but I knew that it would help me get ahead and it did. I was able ...

I first heard about EOP when I was just starting at City College of San Francisco; however, I heard about EOP a little too late. EOP at CCSF had so many different opportunities and financial support for students enrolled in ...

Cynthia Ruiz grew up in Highland Park. She graduated from Cal State LA in 1978 with a bachelor's degree in Chicano Studies and rehabilitation counseling, and in 1980 with a master’s in rehabilitation counseling. “My parents divorced when I was ...

“I became fully aware of my college options because of Margie Garcia. She had such an electrifying college center at Baldwin Park High School. She had me apply to all the Cal States. Senior year, personal things started happening with ...

The first memory that comes to mind is my first experience at Grad Forum at UC Merced. I will never forget how inspiring and welcoming the event was. It truly helped my get over a great fear of moving on ...

The Educational Opportunity Program genuinely made a positive impact throughout my educational path. I experienced several unforgettable memories with the program; one specific memory that remains with me was the first time I met with my advisor, Yvette Ching. Ching ...

Being a First-Generation student, coming from a Mexican background, the only thing I knew was that I was the first in my family to graduate high school and go to an “adult school,” college. I had no idea what to ...

I’ve met with at least two handful advisors throughout my time with CCSF/SFSU and none of them got to help and understand me the way Arlene did. Every meeting with her was actually helpful and I left the meetings with ...

How can I forget all those times of panic and despair trying to navigate course selection, financial aid issues, and personal dilemmas. Ever so calm and collected my EOP Counselor Beth Crawford would talk me off the ledge and would ...

Reminiscing back to my time at Cal Poly Pomona in the Educational Opportunity Program, I remember all the smiling faces who were encouraging; always uplifting and positive. It was support that I did not know I needed, I will always ...

When I think about EOP, I think about our graduation ceremony. This ceremony was meaningful and emotional because I was surrounded by familiar faces; peers, family, and friends that became family. My parents’ eyes sparkled with pride and I felt ...

EOP was my academic gift that I always knew I wanted and did not know existed. I am eternally grateful to the EOP staff years ago, that recognized the work ethic (and potential) of a young girl. They taught and ...

Moving to a new town, being financially independent, and having little to no knowledge about college life was overwhelming for me. I also did not know what I wanted to do with my life. There was only one thing I ...

The memories which come to mind when I think of EOP is running into EOP Mentors throughout campus and having them be supportive and taking time to ask about my day, or how I was doing. I recall this memory ...

Nasir graduated from Sonoma State University with a B.S. in Business Administration, in 2007. Nadir's Message: When I think of EOP, I experience a great sense of joy and pride. EOP is such an important program that allows successful transitions ...

Edgar graduated from California State University Channel Islands with a B.A. in Spanish, in 2017. He currently works as a Financial Aid Specialist at California State University Channel Islands. Edgar’s Message: EOP has given me the opportunity to achieve my ...

Cindy graduated from San Diego State University with a B.A. in International Security and Conflict, in 2010 Cindy's Message: I have many fond memories of the EOP staff. My first connection to EOP was my counselor, Sal. He was funny, encouraging, and straightforward. I ...

Patterson graduated from CSU Monterey Bay with a B.A. in Psychology in 2014, he now works as a Mental Health Worker. Patterson’s Message: When I think of EOP, I think about Summer Bridge - I remember coming to campus a ...

Agustin graduated from California State University Channel Islands with a B.A. in Communication, in 2017. He currently works as the Educational Advisor for TRIO Upward Bound at California State University, Dominguez Hills. Agustin’s Message: Words cannot explain the profound impact ...

Jessica graduated from Humboldt State University with a B.A. in Psychology in 2012. She currently works as a Student Counselor and Sexual Health Education Teacher in Monduli District, Tanzania Jessica’s Message: There is a lot of pressure (especially for first ...