STATE OF NEW YORK OFFICE OF THE STATE COMPTROLLER
110 STATE STREET
ALBANY, NY 12236
Melissa Cedeno, Director Educational Opportunity ProgramUniversity at Albany
State University of New York
1400 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12222
Dear Friends:
October 6, 2023
Greetings to all those gathered this weekend for the 55th Anniversary Reunion hosted by the Educational Opportunities Program (EOP) at the University at Albany, State University of New York. Since 1968, the Educational Opportunity Program has worked to help undergraduate students from economically and educationally disadvantaged backgrounds in New York State enroll in and succeed at the University.
This weekend’s reunion, including a gala dinner and two brunches, celebrates over a half century of success at EOP. The program has made higher education possible for thousands of students who lacked the typical credentials for college admissions but had shown great potential and motivation. Since its inception, UAlbany EOP has produced over 5,500 college graduates, including some who have gone on to work with us at the Office of the State Comptroller. By providing financial assistance, along with personal and social support, EOP has enabled many of its students to thrive at the University, achieving aboveaverage graduation rates. Empowering students to realize their fullest potential, EOP plays an important part in UAlbany’s commitment to equity and academic excellence. The dedicated administrators, staff, alumni and supporters of the Educational Opportunity Program at the University at Albany are uplifting the next generations and upholding the ideals of our public system of higher education
Best wishes for a joyful celebration and continued success.
Sincerely,
Thomas P. DiNapoli State Comptroller
I would like to personally commemorate the University at Albany’s EOP program on making 55 years. EOP has provided admission opportunities for economically and educationally disadvantaged undergraduate students like me for over 50 years now. I am proud to be one of the over 4,500 students that have graduated from the program since its inception. I would not have been able to be where I am today if it wasn’t for the EOP program.
In the Summer of 2014, I started my journey as an EOP student. It was an enlightening experience being given lectures, resources, advice, and guidance on how to succeed as a college student and beyond. Entering the EOP complex that summer I did not realize how much this program was going to help me. It was not until I met some of its wonderful staff such as Ms. Maritza Martinez, Dr. Paul Cummings, Mr. Patrick Romain, and Ms. Monica Hope. These people saw more in me than I saw in myself and dedicated their time to make sure I had the knowledge and resources to succeed.
Throughout my time as an EOP student I made it my mission to give back as much as possible to the program as it did for me. I was able to attend multiple funding rallies in Albany, give University tours to potential EOP students, and work with the office as a student making sure students’ needs were attended to. I am grateful for EOP as it provided me the academic services and support, I needed to excel. To this day, EOP means the world to me. As I embark on my journey soon to be an Assistant District Attorney at the Manhattan DA’s Office, I often reflect back on my EOP memories. EOP saw my potential and motivation to succeed, and I am forever grateful. I wish for EOP’s success many years to come and hope they continue to change people’s lives like they did with me beginning in the Summer of 2014. Without EOP I would not be where I am today. Congratulations again on making 55 years!
Sincerely,
Darius SantanaOctober 7, 2023
Melissa Cedeño University at Albany Educational Opportunity Program Albany, NY 12222Dear Melissa:
Congratulations to UAlbany EOP on 55 years of transforming students’ lives and driving student success!!
For more than five decades, UAlbany’s Educational Opportunity Program has provided students with the resources to make the most of their collegiate journey from the moment they arrive to campus in the summer to the day they cross the stage at graduation in May.
Beyond the essential academic support services that EOP provides students, it also weaves together a critically important network of students, faculty, staff, administrators, and alumni who are all equally committed to student success.
EOP – through our current students and alumni – embody the drive and commitment to learning and success that are cornerstones of a UAlbany education.
I join my colleagues in celebrating 50 years of educational excellence realized through UAlbany’s nationally renowned Educational Opportunity Program – here’s to another 55 years!
Go Great Danes!
Sincerely,
Michael N. Christakis, Ph.D. ’01, ‘05
Vice President for Student Affairs & Public Service Professor
BLAKE G. WASHINGTON MARK MASSARONI Director of the Budget Deputy Director
September 15, 2023
Friends,
My college career at SUNY Albany started with my request to report a day later than expected, followed by a terse reply: “how bad do you want it?”.
Following the less than subtle encouragement of Dr. Carson Carr, I joined the ranks of EOP just a handful of hours after my high school commencement ceremony. No time to bask in the glow of graduation or to celebrate my newfound freedom; time only to collect my belongings and report for summer programming by five o’clock on a Saturday in June.
Not unlike others throughout the 55-year history of EOP at SUNY Albany, my college career started with a challenge to seize the life changing opportunity that was afforded to each of us. Thanks to the hands-on support of counselors, teachers, mentors, peers and volunteers, SUNY Albany’s EOP graduates have earned their degrees often against what were once considered to be insurmountable odds to take leadership positions in private industry, public service and beyond. I am fortunate to be counted among so many of you.
I am especially grateful for the life and legacy of Abdul Jarvis. His insight and candor shaped my academic journey, and his example shaped my life. I miss him greatly.
Wishing students at SUNY Albany every success on this 55th anniversary and into the future.
Sincerely,
Bamm Blake G. Washington Budget Director
