Binghamton University’s Educational Opportunity Program ‘ which provides outstanding students from low-income families with advanced academic opportunities ‘ has been seeing continued success over the past 10 years.
The program has a current graduation rate of 77 percent and a retention rate of 91 percent, statistics which have been steadily increasing during the time period and are expected to continue.
EOP is a selective program designed to supply exceptional students from underprivileged families with a team of support, guidance and a positive environment in which their education may thrive. The organization’s faculty members aim to provide students with necessary resources, guidance and support while helping help them with both academic issues and non-academic issues typical to college students.
Dr. James Pogue, director of EOP, spoke of the role of the EOP counselors in shaping the academic development of the students in the program, saying that faculty had ‘very in-depth conversations’ with students.
Although the program only had 125 open slots for the fall semester, 4,300 students applied. Pogue stressed both the competitiveness and the rewards of the program to applicants.
‘If you come here, you will be successful,’ he said. ‘It’s going to be tough and you have to put forth the work.’
Pogue emphasized that the contact EOP maintains with applicants even before admittance to the program is fundamental in maintaining strong relationships with future EOP students. The program offers resources on its Web site and preemptive interactions with EOP staff members.
Students who are admitted to the program participate in a five-week program called the Binghamton Enrichment Program, also known as BEP, during the summer before freshman year. During this time, students are required to take non-credit academic courses to prepare them for the demand of an undergraduate education.
Incoming EOP students take courses in math and rhetoric, as well as an introduction course to each of the separate colleges within Binghamton University.
Faculty members work closely with the students throughout the summer program, which some students say is demanding.
‘It started in BEP,’ said Stephanie Cruz, a junior EOP student. ‘It introduced me to education at a college perspective. It was intense ‘ 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.’
The emphasis that Dr. Pogue put on developing strong relationships also plays itself out in the BEP interactions among EOP students.
Cruz served as a peer counselor for this year’s BEP incoming class. During the summer she supervised 12 of the students and said she was motivated to ‘focus on them, help them’ and remain interactive with the students.
In addition to the director, staff members and support staff of EOP, a number of other services are offered to EOP participants ‘ including a tutorial center in Glenn G. Bartle Library, financial aid and two annual scholarships given to one incoming and one current EOP student.
The scholarship, known as the EOP Bolkosky Scholarship was initiated this year, and awards $2,500 to two deserving students.
This year Cruz ‘ who said the program’s environment was something she enjoyed about the organization ‘ was one of the two students selected to receive this scholarship.
‘It makes us feel like family,’ she said. ‘EOP is a family. I hope everyone I’ve met are in consensus that it is really helpful.’
Pogue said that student needs played a big part in the program’s popularity.
‘What makes us so successful is how we continually question how we can do a better job for students,’ Pogue said.