EOP Trailblazer, Frank Urquidez

In July of 1972, Frank Urquidez began his academic career as an Educational Opportunity Program student. He transitioned to a student assistant in 1974 and worked under James Clayton who helped establish the foundation of the EOP. After obtaining his B.A in 1976, Mr. Urquidez applied for and obtained a position as an EOP counselor.

In 1977, working along side James Clayton, he assisted with the first Summer Bridge session held Dominguez Hills. At first, Summer Bridge began as a session with 90 students attending for five weeks focusing primarily on English. As Summer Bridge evolved and funding increased, more classes were offered. In the following years, Math was also included. In addition to Summer Bridge, testing in the area of English and Math were implemented to have a better understanding of a students’ skills regarding those subjects.

These initiatives started about five years before the California State University System began requiring the EPT and ELM. The work of early students and staff who established the foundation of EOP, including Mr. Urquidez , proved the program could succeed.

In 1992, Urquidez took on the role of Assistant Director. He held onto this role until May 2009, after more than 30 years of service with the EOP. After retiring, Mr. Urquidez returned as a volunteer at the beginning of 2012 and has been working as one since. Mr. Urquidez is grateful for the opportunity to have worked with those people who made and still make EOP and CSU Dominguez Hills a success.

In the future, he sees that the EOP will be alive and well as long as there are students who need help. EOP has progressed with the times and will continue to do so.