Chancellor King and SUNY Students Highlight Educational Opportunity Program During Information Session
March 19, 2026
SUNY's Arthur O. Eve Educational Opportunity Program Provides Students with Academic and Financial Resources to Help Them Succeed
Chancellor King Joined EOP Student Ambassadors to Offer Local High School Students the Opportunity to Learn More About EOP; Photos Available Photos Available Here
Albany, NY — State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. highlighted the importance of SUNY's Arthur O. Eve Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) during an information session held at Schenectady High School in the Capital Region. The event connected high school students with SUNY EOP Ambassadors who shared their experience with the program. Since its inception in 1967, SUNY's Arthur O. Eve Educational Opportunity Program has provided access, academic support, and supplemental financial assistance to students from low-income backgrounds, many of whom are the first in their families to attend college.
"The Educational Opportunity Program continues to be a driver of student success and upward mobility on SUNY campuses throughout New York State," SUNY Chancellor King said. "We are proud to offer prospective students the opportunity to learn more about the robust support programs, like EOP, available to empower them on their academic journey. SUNY is committed to ensuring that there is a place for every New Yorker at our campuses, so that all students can be empowered to pursue the high-quality, affordable education to help them unleash their full potential after graduation."
SUNY Trustee Camille Joseph Varlack, Chair of the Student Success Committee, said, "Thanks to the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the State Legislature, SUNY can ensure prospective students are well informed about the resources and supports available to them so they can thrive at the SUNY campus they choose. We are proud to be able to offer programs like EOP to our students, so they can succeed during their educational journeys. Thank you to Governor Hochul and the State Legislature for their steadfast support of SUNY, and our prospective and current students."
During the information session, students from Schenectady High School had the opportunity to meet with current EOP Ambassadors from the State University of New York at Albany, SUNY Old Westbury, and the State University of New York at Stony Brook to learn more about EOP. The EOP Ambassadors shared their experiences with being enrolled in the program and answered questions from the high school students on how the program works, and how it will help them thrive at any participating SUNY campus.
Carlos M. Cotto Jr., Schenectady City School District Superintendent of Schools said, "In Schenectady, we believe deeply in the potential of every student. Our students are talented, resilient, and full of promise, and it is our responsibility to ensure they have access to opportunities that help them realize that potential. For many, college is a life-changing step, and programs like SUNY's Educational Opportunity Program are critical not just in opening doors, but in providing the support and sense of belonging students need to succeed. Today is about helping our students see what is possible and understand that they belong in those spaces. Our students belong in every space where opportunity lives."
Dennis Green, Schenectady High School Executive Principal, said, "We are thrilled and honored to welcome SUNY Chancellor King and the SUNY EOP Student Ambassadors to Schenectady High School. This opportunity allows our young people to engage in meaningful conversations with college students who have already begun their journey, opening doors to what is possible. SUNY EOP represents more than access—it represents opportunity, support, and a pathway forward. These are the opportunities that change lives and help shape not only their futures, but the future of our communities and our country."
Catherine Frempong, EOP student from the State University of New York at Albany, said, "My EOP experience gave me more than academic support—it gave me a true sense of belonging. Through mentorship, community, and guidance, EOP helped me persist, grow academically, and believe in my ability to succeed. The confidence and leadership skills I gained will continue to shape my career and my commitment to giving back to my community."
Haljazir Headley, EOP student from the State University of New York at Albany, said, "EOP fostered a community where I felt supported and empowered to grow. Through academic guidance, mentorship, and leadership opportunities, I developed the confidence to navigate college and engage in advocacy that creates access and opportunity statewide. EOP's impact continues to shape my leadership and commitment to meaningful change beyond the classroom."
Chriss-Ann Pryce, EOP student from the State University of New York at Albany, said, "EOP is more than just a program to me; it's a family. A home away from home filled with people who recognize my potential, push me to grow, and make my college experience a lot more seamless. Through EOP, I have grown into a confident leader, and I have developed the discipline, resilience, and compassion needed to succeed in my future in medicine. EOP is truly a blessing that has transformed my life for the better."
David Myers, EOP student from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, said, "A wise man once told me that doubt destroys dreams. A wiser man told me that EOP destroys doubt. The EOP program has helped me to achieve things that I didn't think were possible. I thank EOP for being my backbone in my education growth."
Brian Amaya, EOP student from SUNY Old Westbury, said, "EOP gave me the best opportunity to channel my hard work with similar minded people and be a part of a community focused on success and career development."
In its nearly 60-year history, SUNY EOP has helped support some 90,000 students to graduate and evolved into one of the country's most successful college access programs. EOP eligibility is based on income and academic readiness. EOP currently serves more than 9,000 students across 55 SUNY campuses. More information on SUNY's EOP can be found here.
State Senator Jim Tedisco said, "The Arthur O. Eve Educational Opportunity Program is a wonderful program that helps provide opportunities for success to many students to attend college. As a former special education teacher and now state Senator for the 44th Senate District, I welcome Chancellor King to Schenectady to highlight this vital program to students at Schenectady High School."
State Assemblymember Angelo Santabarbara said, "I'm proud to support programs like SUNY's Arthur O. Eve Educational Opportunity Program, which help students overcome financial challenges and take the next step toward college. By offering extra academic help, guidance, and financial support, EOP opens real doors to opportunity. It's inspiring to see students here in Schenectady taking the time to learn about the paths in front of them and building the confidence to reach for a brighter future."
SUNY has continued to take steps to expand the support and resources available for EOP students. Last week, SUNY announced an initiative to ensure internship opportunities for every student in EOP, and in February, SUNY announced the expansion of the EOP scholars program to support students in nursing and teaching degree programs. In June 2025, SUNY launched a partnership with the global education company Kaplan to offer EOP students free access to comprehensive test preparation resources over the next three year, including practice tests for graduate-level admissions exams and professional licensure exams. In February 2025, SUNY also announced the EOP Career Development Internship Program in partnership with state agencies to provide students with real-world professional experience and skill development within a field that aligns both with their academic pursuit and personal interests.
The EOP information session builds on SUNY's efforts to ensure that every New Yorker is informed about the excellent, affordable education available to them at SUNY. In January, Chancellor King participated in a virtual SUNY Reconnect information session to encourage New Yorkers to sign up for Governor Hochul's SUNY Reconnect program, which provides free tuition, fees, books, and supplies at SUNY community colleges for adults ages 25-55 who don't already have a college degree and want to pursue an associate degree in a high-demand field. Also in January, SUNY hosted a Fill Out Your FAFSA virtual forum for the greater Rochester community to highlight the benefits of completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and showcase students who filled out their FAFSAs and now attend local SUNY institutions.
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, 12 Educational Opportunity Centers, over 30 ATTAIN digital literacy labs, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.7 million students across its 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 $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2025, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and annually one in three New Yorkers who earn a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit suny.edu.
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Holly Liapis
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