A Message from the Chair of the EOP Alumni Chapter
Dear EOP Alumni:
If you are anything like me, you look back upon your time at CSUSB and your enrollment in the EOP program with great gratitude. You recognize that the college provided you with a quality education in a nurturing environment. You are grateful for the benefits afforded to you as a part of your undergraduate education and if given the opportunity you would eagerly ensure that other students could reap similar benefits.
I can remember the beginning of my undergraduate education like it was yesterday. I had an overwhelming fear of going to college and of entering an unknown territory. Like many of you, I was the first in my entire family to pursue higher education, money was not abundant in my household, and I struggled academically. Yet despite all of these barriers, the EOP staff believed in me and was committed to ensuring my success.
During recent years, our state has been in a financial crisis and funding for student support programs like EOP is in jeopardy. Students can no longer count on grant programs alone to fund their education. Given the uncertainty of our state's economy, it is more important now than ever for us to come together and offer support to our current and future EOP students who come from historically low-income disadvantaged backgrounds.
I invite you to participate on the leadership team for the EOP Alumni Chapter. This group was designed to supplement the efforts of the EOP staff, to help raise funds for book awards and to help educate our state's elected officials about the importance of providing at-risk students with the support necessary to succeed in college.
If you would like more information, please contact the EOP office at 909-537-5042 or email us at eop@csusb.edu.
Sincerely,
Iwona-Maria Luczkiewicz Contreras
BS Health Science 2002
EOP Alumni Chapter Mission
The Educational Opportunity Program Alumni Chapter (EOPAC) was established to provide the opportunity for academic and life-long success to historically low-income, educationally disadvantaged and/or first-generation college students that seek a future of educational prosperity.
EOPAC strives to provide support to the EOP student, both financially and academically, serves as an advocate at the local and state level and to showcase the program's success. The EOP Alumni Chapter strives to enhance alumni membership and to inform the community at large about the EOP program, its goals, and its benefits.
The EOP Alumni Chapter will work continuously to establish a network that EOP students and alumni can turn to for personal, educational and professional support.
Goals
- Increase Alumni membership for the future success of the organization & increase awareness of chapter.
- Continue partnering with and including current EOP students in fundraising, volunteer and membership efforts.
- Expand annual fundraising/ special events programs offered.
- Engage and mentor EOP students/Alumni by providing opportunities for professional & personal growth and development.
- Create opportunities where community partners, employers, organizations or private stakeholders can sponsor EOP students to assist with book expenses or other educational related expenses.