{"id":217724,"date":"2022-03-29T14:26:16","date_gmt":"2022-03-29T18:26:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/?p=217724"},"modified":"2022-03-30T15:35:30","modified_gmt":"2022-03-30T19:35:30","slug":"new-jerseys-eof-scholars-find-strength-in-solidarity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/2022\/03\/29\/new-jerseys-eof-scholars-find-strength-in-solidarity\/","title":{"rendered":"New Jersey\u2019s EOF Scholars Find Strength in Solidarity"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Future College Graduate Academy<\/a> at Montclair State University hosted an inaugural Statewide Men\u2019s Conference on March 25 sponsored by the Educational Opportunity Fund Professional Association of New Jersey to support Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) scholars from across the state in their personal and career goals.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe conference was inspired by multiple EOF programs throughout the state understanding the phenomena, which is males of color in higher education not graduating or being retained at high rates,\u201d explained Montclair\u2019s EOF Director Rahjaun Gordon \u201921 PhD.<\/p>\n

The conference prioritized supporting EOF male scholars by focusing on protective factors, such as mentorship, peer-to-peer support and cross-campus collaborative efforts to address this issue, Gordon said.<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery<\/h2>\n
\"Michael
Motivational speaker and alumnus Michael Spence \u201914 shares his keynote message of being hungry for success.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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EOF programs from across the state joined together to inspire scholars to reach their personal, educational and professional goals. Presenters included Reggie Walker, adjunct professor of Family Science and Human Development, and Enrique Noguera, EOF director of Passaic County Community College.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Rahjaun
Montclair EOF Director Rahjaun Gordon \u201921 PhD served as host to 86 scholars from across the state representing Caldwell University, Bloomfield College, Rutgers University New Brunswick, Rutgers University Newark, Rutgers University Camden, Rider University, Rowan College at Burlington County, Saint Elizabeth University, Passaic County Community College, Mercer County Community College, Union County College, NJIT, Ramapo College and Georgian Court University.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Photos by University Photographer Mike Peters<\/a>.<\/p>\n