What are HEOP and EOP?

HEOP – Higher Education Opportunity Program – and EOP – Education Opportunity Programs – are state-funded programs that open up higher education at both public and private colleges and universities to New York state students who would otherwise not have the means to attend.

Opportunity Programs in New York State are the result of Legislation developed in the late 1960's by Former Deputy Speaker Arthur O. Eve. As of last year (2005-06) HEOP alone has graduated 30,000 students who are all from academically and economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Opportunity Programs staff at AU has been involved with these programs as staff members for a total of 24 years and as students for four and a half years. During the 2005-06 academic year staff spent 2,018 hours counseling students – and the effort shows: 90 percent of the credit hours attempted were earned; As of the spring 2006, 77.8 percent of our Opportunity Program students earned GPA's of 2.0 or higher and 82 percent are on track for graduation. The fall 2005 cohort retention was also 82 percent.

So who are the Opportunity Programs students at Alfred University?
Eighty-two percent of our incoming freshmen were members of households whose family income was less than $27,800 with an average family size of three and a half. Academically, the breakdown of incoming SAT scores was 91 percent SAT Verbal 300-499; 82 percent SAT Math 300-499 and 8 percent SAT Math 500-629. Eighty-two percent of this entering class had high school GPAs between 70 and 90 percent.

Our current student population is ethnically broken down as follows: 38 percent African American; 30 percent Hispanic; 30 percent Caucasian; and 2 percent Asian. Fifty-one percent are male; 88 percent are under the age of 23. Of our returning students this year 56.5 percent are involved in one or more campus organizations or activities.

Contact us:

Nadine Shardlow
Director of Opportunity Programs
Email

Michele Doorley
Upper Classman Counselor
Email

Antonio Williams
First Year Counselor
Email

Wendy Marvin
Administrative Assistant
Email

Office: Myers Hall
Ph: 607.871.2283
Fx: 607.871.3014
Toll-free Ph: 800.541.9229
Email