SUNY Chancellor King Celebrates Ribbon Cutting at New Bronx Educational Opportunity Center Facility
December 12, 2024
Center Broadens Footprint within Bronx Community after 34 Years in Previous Location
Bronx, NY – State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. today celebrated the ribbon cutting of the Bronx Educational Opportunity Center's (EOC) new facility, located at 2467 Jerome Avenue in the Bronx. The EOC had been housed in its previous location on Bathgate Avenue for the past 34 years of its 39-year existence.
"The Bronx EOC has built a legacy of service through their academic and workforce development programs, which support economic advancement, and that work will only be enhanced by this cutting-edge facility," said SUNY Chancellor King. "EOCs are a cornerstone of SUNY's commitment to foster upward mobility for communities and populations that have historically been excluded from such crucial opportunities. Thanks to the support of our champions in state and local government, and our partners at Bronx Community College, the Bronx EOC is now better positioned to add a new chapter to its proud history of advancing equity for individuals and families."
Chancellor King was joined at the Bronx EOC by SUNY Board Trustee Marcos A. Crespo, who said, "As a Bronx resident, I am profoundly proud to join SUNY leaders, elected officials, and community members at the ribbon cutting for the new Bronx EOC facility. We are confident this facility will broaden opportunities for New Yorkers in search of economic and career mobility, and we're excited to continue working with EOCs across our state as they reach new heights."
Through more than 35 years of affiliation with CUNY Bronx Community College, the Bronx EOC has served as an adult learning education center, with academic programs leading to GED attainment, access to higher education, and innovative workforce training that provides a path to gainful employment. In the 2023-24 program year, the center enrolled 580 educationally and economically disadvantaged students. This resulted in over 230 certificates and licenses earned, as well as more than 50 confirmed job placements.
Tamara Frazier, Deputy Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director of SUNY's Black Leadership Institute added, "For nearly four decades the Bronx EOC has been a pillar in uplifting members of the community as they look to achieve their professional and personal endeavors. I am confident that the new EOC facility will only extend the work of this already impactful network. As we open these new doors, we are thankful for the work and dedication of the Bronx EOC team, and the financial commitment and support from our Governor, the legislature, and local community leaders."
Bronx EOC Executive Director Ronnie Hector said, "At the Bronx EOC, lives are transformed, dreams are realized, and hope flourishes. Our students are our neighbors, friends, family, and new friends from around the globe. With this new cutting-edge facility and the support of our faculty and staff, the State University of New York, our host campus Bronx Community College, elected officials, and employer and community partners, the Bronx EOC is poised to provide additional pathways to economic and social mobility."
SUNY University Center for Academic and Workforce Development Associate Provost and Director Lisa Jackson said, "As the Bronx EOC approaches 40 years of service to the community, this relocation underscores the center's enduring ability to adapt and thrive for the betterment of the people it serves. The new location will open doors for more Bronx residents to access the EOC's life changing programs and services, and the facility is equipped to enhance what the center offers today and into the future. I thank and commend Chancellor King, Interim President Santiago, Mr. Hector and our legislative partners for their work to solidify and expand the Bronx EOC's impact."
Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie said, "Adult continuing education holds immense significance in promoting personal and professional growth. The Bronx EOC stands as a symbol of opportunity for our community, and this transformative facility truly embodies that vision. Since its inception, this center has had a profound impact on families, providing them with the means to grow and thrive. Today's ribbon cutting ceremony marks not just the unveiling of a new facility but also the commencement of a journey that will empower individuals as well as families."
NYS Senator Robert Jackson said, "The SUNY Bronx Educational Opportunity Center has been a catalyst for change, turning ambition into achievement for nearly four decades. This new facility amplifies that impact, providing our community with greater access to education, skills, and pathways to economic empowerment. This expansion represents an enduring promise to equip Bronx residents with the tools to succeed, reinforcing that progress is most powerful when it's shared by all."
NYS Senator Gustavo Rivera said, "I want to congratulate SUNY and the Bronx Educational Opportunity Center for the grand opening of their new facility. This new space marks a new chapter for our community, one where Bronxites will have more access to gain the skills and education they need to successfully enter our competitive job market. I have no doubt that the Bronx EOC will continue to empower Bronxites and open doors to brighter futures for years to come."
Assemblymember George Alvarez said, "The opening of the new SUNY Bronx Educational Opportunity Center is a significant milestone for our community. This state-of-the-art facility will continue to empower Bronx residents by providing access to education, workforce training, and pathways to economic independence. For nearly four decades, the EOC has been a beacon of hope for those seeking to improve their lives through education, and this new chapter ensures that its impact will only grow. I am proud to support this transformative resource and look forward to seeing the continued success it brings to our borough."
Assemblymember Landon Dais said, "The Bronx Educational Opportunity Center has been a key resource for educational access and workforce development in our community. This new facility will not only carry forward that important mission but also create even more opportunities for local residents to pursue higher education and career training, leading to better employment outcomes and a stronger community. With this expansion, we are helping to build a brighter, more prosperous future for our community."
Assemblymember Chantel Jackson said, "The students and faculty of the Bronx Educational Opportunity Center have been continued and valuable partners to my office and the greater Bronx community. I am excited about the new opportunities EOC will create in their new space."
Assemblymember Yudelka Tapia said, "The new SUNY Bronx Educational Opportunity Center on Jerome Avenue represents a significant step forward for our community. By relocating to a prime, accessible location, the Center is opening new doors for Bronx residents to pursue education and workforce development opportunities. With expanded evening programs and cutting-edge courses like Doula training and EV Charging Station Repair, the EOC is addressing the evolving needs of our workforce. I commend SUNY for their commitment to serving those who need it most and for their vision of a brighter future for the Bronx."
Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) President and Chief Executive Officer Robert J. Rodriguez said, "DASNY is proud to partner with SUNY and the Bronx EOC in their critically important mission of providing quality education and expanding access to opportunities for so many New Yorkers. Developing facilities that empower individuals seeking a better life to open new doors is integral to DASNY's mission. We congratulate the Bronx EOC on this milestone."
About the State University of New York
The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country’s oldest school of maritime, the state’s only college of optometry, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.4 million students amongst its entire portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.1 billion in fiscal year 2023, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and one in three New Yorkers with a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit suny.edu.
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