Richard Ian Cruz Rodrigo

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 a solution to my concerns and, felt empowered to take advantage of the many different opportunities and resources to me available to me, and assured that I can be successful.

I was a first-generation college graduate with many disadvantages while at college and I wanted to give back to youth with similar backgrounds to myself. My time spent with College Track was to show disadvantage youth that someone like them who grew up in the very same city and neighborhood that they did; that it is POSSIBLE to be the first in their family to graduate from college.

Making college completion possible and making sure that no student left behind is how EOP made an impact in my life. EOP was that “tool” that allowed me to complete college and gave me social mobility to open many doors for myself and my family.

Words of wisdom for current EOP students: Take advantage of your “disadvantages”. Don’t be afraid or feel shame that you are a step or two behind and are lacking the resources or skills you need to “be the first” in your family. EOP has the resources and tools to level the playing field for you and all you have to do is take it, run with it, and never look back.