Recruitment Programs
Recruitment Partnerships (w/ Feeder Districts/Enrollment Management)
Strategic community partnerships to attract a minimum of 1,000 prospective scholars annually to our campus. In addition to the recruitment efforts of our Admissions office, staff conduct campus visits and onsite recruitment presentations in conjunction with our local high schools.
Future College Graduate Conferences
Multiple conferences for prospective students currently attending inner-city high schools throughout the State of New Jersey with a focus on promoting academic excellence, leadership, and informing high school students of opportunities and resources that can encourage and support them through the college application process.
High School Counselor Recruitment Workshops
Bi-annual meetings with the school counselor associations, target districts and local organizations to inform our high school partners of the many pathways to access college and financial aid.
Retention Programs
Annual Statewide Empowerment Conference (Summer Academy Scholars)
The Annual Statewide EOF Empowerment Conference during the summer for incoming first year scholars enrolled in EOF Programs at colleges/universities across the State of New Jersey. This Conference is designed to inspire and empower incoming scholars as they make the transition into their first year as college students.
Residential Summer Academy (EOF, HCP, AL, COOP)
The Residential Summer Academy is designed to assist first-year scholars with a successful academic and social transition to the University experience and includes College Courses, Academic Advising, Tutoring, Study Hall. “Rock the Mic” Lecture Series, Poetry Jam, Talent Show, Fashion Show, Community Service, Financial Literacy, Career Enrichment, Recreational Activities and much more. Participation in a Residential Summer Academy is mandatory for all first-year EOF, HCP, Academic Launch and Cooperman scholars.
On Track Career Preparation Program (Partnership w/ CHSS)
The EOF On Track Career Preparation Program provides underrepresented, low-income first and second-year scholars with opportunities and holistic support for intentional career exploration, planning and preparation. Through collaborative programming and student-centered advising, we seek to empower scholars to be proactive in identifying, planning and preparing for a fulfilling career.
Pre-Law Academy (Partnership w/ CHSS)
The Pre-Law Academy provides traditionally underrepresented, low-income and/or first-generation scholars in the Educational Opportunity Fund Program an opportunity to learn about the fields of law and law enforcement to increase awareness of career options within these fields, to gain knowledge and resources that will aid in the law school application and graduate school process and strengthen their overall professional development.
Turning Point Academic Empowerment Program (partnership w/ CAST)
The Turning Point Academic Empowerment Program is a required program for scholars on Academic Probation with the University and/or the Educational Opportunity Fund Program. The program is designed as an academic-strengthening program to provide scholars with academic and personal support as well as the tools they will need to improve their academic performance and obtain college success. The Turning Point Academic Empowerment Program assists scholars in identifying the factors that resulted in them being placed on academic probation and supports them as they develop a strategic plan to strengthen the skills needed to minimize or eliminate detrimental factors, which will ultimately lead to satisfactory academic progress.
Corporate Edge (partnership w/ SBUS)
Corporate Edge is a program in partnership with the Educational Opportunity Fund program (EOF) and Feliciano School of Business to provide students with an ‘edge’ in professional development with the requisite skills, tools and support to succeed. The scholars in the program have the opportunity to learn from diverse corporate partners and understand the importance of building relationship capital.
Leadership Academies (including Faculty/Staff Mentorship Program)
Leadership Academies is a program that promotes leadership, professionalism, wellness and academic success. The program provides participants with a faculty/staff mentor sharing a holistic approach to creating and gaining personal and professional development, healthy relationships and a sense of community.
Chi Alpha Epsilon Honor Society
Chi Alpha National Honor Society is an honor society that EOF Scholars have the opportunity to be inducted to each semester. Scholars need to obtain two consecutive semesters of a 3.0 cumulative GPA in order to be considered for induction. Its purposes are to promote continued high academic standards, to foster increased communication among its members, and to honor academic excellence achieved by the scholars.
Financial Literacy Initiative (partnership w/ the Office of Financial Aid)
The Financial Literacy Initiative provides resources to empower, educate, and hold scholars accountable to understand their Financial Aid obligations throughout their academic journey. With the assistance of Financial Aid Services, scholars will capitalize on the benefits of completing their free FAFSA application prior to the university deadline, understanding the state and federal verification process, as well as other aspects of college financial education. Common financial programming includes; saving, budgeting, establishing credit, student loans, and student loan repayment. The overall goal is to ensure that scholars have life-long financial literacy.
AMG Medical Group Mentorship Program
External mentorship program pairing future health care workers with established professionals.
Agents of Change (partnership with CAPS)
Agents of Change is a support group for students of color seeking peer mentorship to assist in reaching their personal, academic, and professional goals. The group aims to support students in developing positive coping skills, managing first generation college student issues, balancing their multiple demands, and confronting the barriers that impact their daily lives, in order to succeed as a college student and beyond.
Transfer Club
An onboarding initiative to assist with a successful transition for transfers.
Alumni/Donor/Funding Initiatives
Alumni Advisory Board
Alumni actively pursuing resources and support for all programs
- Chair: Nelson Rodriguez 2005
- Position: Director of Pre-College Programs, New Jersey City University
- Born and raised in the City of Newark, New Jersey, Nelson has spent most of his life serving the multicultural communities of Northern New Jersey. He is a proud EOF Alumni and double alumni of Montclair State (2005, BA in Psychology and 2016, MA in Educational Leadership). As a Graduate Student, Nelson was awarded with the Student Leadership Award in Diversity and Equality. A graduate of the Ladder to Leadership Fellowship with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Institute for Ethical Leadership Victoria Foundation Emerging Leaders Program and recently completed the Executive Leadership Institute for College Opportunity Program Professionals at Cornell University. He has a demonstrated history of working in education administration and is skilled in Public Speaking, Nonprofit Management, Conflict Resolution and Team Building.
- Currently, as the Director for the Pre-College Programs at New Jersey City University, he works with a staff of educators, community leaders, college students and volunteers to provide educational enrichment, leadership development, cultural experiences and community outreach initiatives that will strengthen and promote both personal and academic growth for the Pre-College Scholars (who are all first generation, college-bound, high school students).
- Academically, Nelson is currently enrolled in the Rutgers University Graduate School of Education and is working towards a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Education, Culture and Society.
- Nelson A. Rodriguez strives every day to be a mentor/role model for the young people in his family and community at large, and continues to work with others to create an environment that thrives on positivity and inclusiveness.
- Vice Chair: Reynaldo Acevedo 1995
- Position: High School Assistant Principal, Passaic Public Schools
- Biography:
- Name: Mr. Reynaldo “Rey” Acevedo
- Title: High School Assistant Principal – Passaic Public Schools, 17 years overall Urban Educational & Organizational Leadership
- Rock It! LIFE, LLC, Independent Owner – Educator, communicator and leader; speaker and mentor for individuals and organizations
- Areas of Expertise: Organizational Leadership, Urban Education and Mentoring
- Undergraduate Degree/School:
- Montclair State University, B.S. Industrial Technology, Graphic Communication
- Graduate Degree/School:
- New Jersey City University, M. Ed. Educational Leadership, Urban Administration
- Additional Involvement with Associations:
- Harvard University Principal’s Center– Graduate School of Education, Cambridge, MA
- Current Lambda Theta Phi, Latin Fraternity Inc., North Atlantic Regional Executive Board
- Former MSU E.O.F., SGA & also Latin American Student Organization, President &Vice President, Lambda Theta Phi, Latin Fraternity Inc., Chapter President
- Family’s Country of Origin: Puerto Rican- Born and raised in Paterson, NJ; Both Parents were born in Puerto Rico
- Treasurer: Adolfo Gillioz 1997
- Position: Teacher, Plainfield Public Schools
- A proud founding member of the Alliance of EOF students of NJ, Adolfo Gillioz’s love for the Educational Opportunity Fund Program runs deep. Crediting the program with his academic and professional success, Adolfo Gillioz currently gives back in the same vein as an ESL and bilingual social studies teacher for Plainfield Public Schools (K-12). With 18 years teaching in public schools in addition to his work as a coordinator of youth ministry in the Paterson Diocese for seven years, and a year as an ESL professor at Centenary University, Mr. Gillioz implements a wholistic approach to empowering youth and young adults. As a former collegiate football player and an amateur boxer finishing third in the 1998 New Jersey Golden Gloves Super Heavy Weight Division, Mr. Gillioz utilizes his experiences in his “mind, body, and soul” educational approach. Growing up in Queens, NY in the tumultuous 1980s, Adolfo has lived through racially charged environments that plague our society today. As a former member of the Board of Education in Dover, NJ, Mr. Gillioz served in the Treasury Committee among other committees that would assist him in his duties as Treasurer.
EOF Graduate School Grant Funding
Over $100,000 of support funding for low income scholars to pursue graduate studies.