Keeping the Pipeline to Success Flowing

ALBANY, N.Y. (April 14, 2017) — UAlbany’s Educational Opportunities Program (EOP) has a long history of transforming the lives of its attendees: students from economically and educationally disadvantaged backgrounds who are nevertheless motivated to attend – and succeed – in college.

So it’s no wonder that EOP alumni are particularly motivated to give back to the program. Nearly 70 UAlbany EOP alumni gathered earlier this month at SUNY’s Global Center in New York City to celebrate the program and learn how they can support current students.

“When you engage underserved students in high-impact practices, such as internships, job shadowing, service projects and research, you can really bridge the gap,” said Joel Pierre-Louis, ’90, UAlbany’s assistant vice president for Integrated Learning and an EOP alum. “Students get skills and experience they need to enter the workforce after graduation.”

Interim President James R. Stellar joined representatives from UAlbany’s EOP program at the event, as well as SUNY Chairman H. Carl McCall and Cheryl Hamilton, the SUNY-wide director of EOP.

In addition to socializing and a game of UAlbany Trivia, alumni were asked to consider offering EOP students the opportunity to job-shadow or intern at their firms.

“Through these opportunities we hope to create a pipeline, to make UAlbany a target school for companies to recruit from, and opportunities for post-graduate employment for our students,” Pierre-Louis said.

From all accounts the event was a success. Alumni reconnected with each other and with program leaders, and donated $5,000 to EOP with more promised. And three different firms have already pledged internships for EOP students.

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