Dr. Carson Carr, Jr. heads the Office of Academic Support Services. Dr. Carr is the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs. In these roles, he serves as the Director of the Educational Opportunity Program, an at-risk program for 750 university students. He also coordinates and administers seven university-wide academic support programs. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from West Chester University; a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Seton Hall University; and a Doctorate in Educational Administration from Syracuse University. He also holds two adjunct teaching positions in the School of Education and the Africana Studies Departments. Dr. Carr is a well-respected colleague within the University at Albany community and has been recognized on numerous occasions for his outstanding achievements.
To assist Dr. Carr with the administration of the Office of Academic Support Services and its various satellite programs, he oversees an Assistant Dean, four program coordinators, and a full counseling and teaching staff. The counseling staff are trained professionals who provide one on one academic assistance and counseling to EOP students. The teaching staff consists of five staff members who teach our developmental and high intensity university courses in Mathematics, English, Reading, and Freshmen Year Experience courses.

A S S I S T A N T   D E A N 
 

Mrs. Maritza Martinez-Graves has served the EOP since 1985. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology & Social Science from Fordham University and Master of Social Welfare from the University at Albany.

F I S C A L   O F F I C E R

Ms. Mayra E. Santiago is the Fiscal Officer for the Office of Academic Affairs/EOP. She earned her Bachelors of Business Administration from Pace University. She has broad financial experience in the private and public sectors. Over the past 10 years she had been assisting underrepresented individuals successfully plan, develop and start businesses.

C O U N S E L I N G   S T A F F 
 

Ms. Monica Hope has served the EOP since 1982. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from the University at Albany. Ms. Hope is also an EOP Alumnus from the University at Albany. 

Mr. Abdul Jarvis earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in African American Studies from the University at Albany. He has served the EOP since 1976. 

Mr. Patrick Romain has served the EOP since 1989. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from the University at Albany. Mr. Romain is also an EOP Alumnus from the University at Albany. 
 

Mrs. Gladys M. Santiago-Tosado completed a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Psychology and a Master of Education in Counseling and Guidance from the University of Puerto Rico (UPR). She is currently working on her dissertation for her Ed.D. in Higher and Post-Secondary Education with a concentration in Peace Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. Ms. Santiago has several years of experience as a counselor and as a professor of psychology. She has volunteered on human rights and peace education activities in Puerto Rico and New York City, and she is also involved in a diversity of professional associations.

I N S T R U C T I O N A L   S T A F F 
 

Dr. Paul Cummings is a mathematics instructor for the EOP. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Wilkes University in Pennsylvania and a Master of Arts and Doctorate in Mathematics from the University at Albany. He teaches developmental mathematics and University credited calculus and mathematics statistics courses. 
 

Dr. Craig Hancock has served the EOP for fifteen years as an English/Writing instructor. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in English from Rutgers University, a Master of Arts in English from the University of New Hampshire, and a Doctor of Arts in English from the University at Albany. He instructs developmental courses in English and University credited English courses. 
 

Dr. Claudia Ricci is a reading instructor for the EOP. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Brown University, a Master’s in Journalism from the University of California at Berkley, and a doctorate in English from the University at Albany. She instructs University credited courses in the Reading, English, and Journalism departments. 
 

Mrs. Mary Kay Skrabalak teaches university-wide freshman year experience courses. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English, Master of Arts in English Education, and Master of Science in Reading from the University at Albany. An expert in study skills, she instructs the Freshman Year Experience courses each semester. 

A C A D E M I C   T A L E N T   S E A R C H

C S T E P   P R O G R A M 
 

Mr. Marc A. Carter is the Program Coordinator for (CSTEP) Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program, the (UASRP) University at Albany Summer Research Program, and the (LSAMP) Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation. He earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in History/Political Science from Wagner College and a Master of Science in Curriculum Development and Instructional Technology from the University at Albany; he is currently working on his second Masters Degree in Information Science Management and Policy also from the University at Albany.  Marc joins our office with more than seven years of experience working in higher education recruiting underrepresented students for Siena College and Boston University. In addition, he brings with him several years of professional experience in technology from Lycos Inc. and MTV Networks Online.

P R O J E C T   E X C E L 
 

Dr. Christopher Fernando is the coordinator of the Project Excel Program. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and his Doctorate in Educational Psychology from the University at Albany.  As Coordinator of Project Excel, "Chris," as he is affectionately known by his students, provides academic support services to Multicultural Recruitment Program admits, Talented Special Admission Program admits, and a number of low income students.

C L E R I C A L   S T A F F 
 

Ms. Gale Butler has served the University at Albany for the past 5 years as an Administrative Assistant for several Research Foundation grants and state accounts. She is currently enrolled at the University at Albany working toward her Bachelor in Sociology degree.