A Letter from the Vice President Timothy C. Penix | Syracuse EOC
Adapt, Change, and Thrive!
This newsletter is dedicated to the faculty, staff, and students of the Syracuse Educational Opportunity Center for their perseverance under unprecedented circumstances during the pandemic, and for their continued efforts to ensure the collective recuperation of the Center. We continue to thrive, first, because of everyone’s commitment to adapt to the safety measures mandated by our leaders. Second, we changed the way we deliver and receive instruction. And third, because we offered access to our programs and services to students and members of the community via multiple venues and platforms.
Let me start by saying that during the pandemic, and to date, we never closed our building, or suspended operations or instruction. Our faculty and staff continued to provide admissions, testing, enrollment, and instruction during the past eighteen months with unfaltering determination, despite the odds. While the building may not have been accessible under the traditional sense, faculty and staff were available daily via online meeting platforms, learning management systems, phone, email, and social media platforms; all of which made it possible to serve our students with the very best programs and services. Throughout the fifty-year history of Syracuse Educational Opportunity Center, this pivot in the way we deliver services and instruction has never occurred.
It gives new meaning to the word and world of access. Within less that one week of notice, our instructors had to transfer their classrooms into virtual spaces of instruction.
Students had to interact by clicking keyboards rather than raising their hands, and Student services staff had to reach out to students who needed information, guidance, and support by conducting virtual meetings and orientations.
From this experience we learned that innovation is the key to sustainability, and the cost of not changing is failure.
Again, I want to thank the faculty and staff of the Syracuse Educational Opportunity Center for adapting, changing, and allowing our students to thrive.
Syracuse Educational Opportunity Center Current Services & Programs
The Syracuse Educational Opportunity Center was established in February 1969 by the State University of New York. The program was then known as SEEK (Search for Education, Elevation, and Knowledge) and was operated through a network or Cooperative College Centers. In 1973 the name was changed to Educational Opportunity center and administration was assumed by Morrisville State College. “click” to continue…
Syracuse Educational Opportunity Center Attain Lab
By: Cody Maggi | Syracuse EOC
In partnership with the Center for New Americans and Interfaith Works, the SUNY EOC ATTAIN Lab provided a digital literacy workshop series to a group of inspiring Swahili & Kinyarwanda speaking students who have recently moved to the United States. Learn more about Syracuse Educational Opportunity Center Attain Lab
Syracuse EOC: Advance Workforce Development for Mature Workers
Are you unemployed, age 55+ and looking for work? Associates for Training and Development (A4TD) administers the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), which helps mature people get back into the workforce by providing paid occupational skills and workplace experience training. Designed specifically for income-qualified workers age 55+, the purpose of the SCSEP is to provide training and skill-building opportunities to program participants while providing much needed community service to local non-profits and public agencies. Some examples of training sites include: hospitals, libraries, senior centers, schools, town clerks, museums and more. Learn more about Advance Workforce Development for Mature Workers
SUNY Empire: Take the Next Step Toward a College Degree That’s Built Around You
We know you’re busy. That’s why SUNY Empire empowers you to complete your degree entirely online, in person, or a combination of both — so you can prepare for your next move without missing a step. Through SUNY Empire’s Partnership Benefit Program, all Syracuse Educational Opportunity Center students have access to Associate and Bachelor’s degrees;
Syracuse EOC COVID-19 and Our Students
By: Cynthia Doss | Syracuse EOC
Covid-19 required educators across the country, from K-12 to colleges, to make changes in their operations and structure. Syracuse EOC was no different. In order to keep our students and ourselves safe, we followed the directives from both Governor Cuomo and County Executive Ryan McMahon. These changes required a new reality. More about Syracuse EOC COVID-19 and Our Students
Syracuse EOC Staff Spotlight: Carlos Cervantes
It is our pleasure to introduce you to Carlo Cervantes, Director of Student Services for the Syracuse Educational Opportunity Center (SEOC). Carlos has brought many good ideas and leadership practices to the department, and we are fortunate to have him on staff.
There are some people that we meet at work that make us better co-workers, and Carlos is one of those individuals. In an interview with Carlos, I asked the following questions to get a snapshot of who he is and what he can tell us about himself.
What do you teach? Or what is your position at SEOC?
I’m the director of student services at the SEOC. This department is responsible for student advising, admissions, enrollment, records, and a variety of other tasks that support student completions and institutional outcomes.
Read more about Carlos Cervantes…
Syracuse EOC Staff Spotlight: Michelle Moretin
By: Marlena Daher-Rahman | Syracuse EOC
Michelle was born and raised in Endicott, New York. She earned an associate’s degree in Computer Data Processing from Broome Community College (now SUNYBroome), and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Wilkes University. Along with her experience with SUNY, she has a multitude of knowledge in business areas (banking, finance, insurance, and technical support). One of the jobs she enjoyed was creating technical training manuals for procedures. Read more about Michelle Moretin…
Syracuse EOC Student Interview –Keila Arencibia
By: Carlos Cervantes | Syracuse EOC
In this newsletter’s edition of the SEOC Progress, we interviewed Keila Arencibia, a 2018 graduate of the Syracuse Educational Opportunity Center (SEOC), and winner of multiple SEOC awards including several academic achievements and the coveted Academic Excellence Award at a recent graduate recognition ceremony at the SRC Arena at Onondaga Community College (OCC). Keila not only served as an accomplished student. She was also an exceptional student worker in the Student Services Department, helping former, current, and future students with their service requests. “click” to learn more about Keila
Syracuse EOC Student Interview –Nicole Able
“…excited but nervous”
SUNY for All enables students to hone their English skills, obtain a high school diploma, enroll in college, or make more money at work ¾ we are here to help you reach it with a little hard work and a lot of support.” https://www.suny.edu/otc
It was through SUNY For All (SFA) that Nicole Able found her way to Syracuse EOC. “Click” to learn more about Nicole Able
Syracuse EOC Student Spotlight: Theresa Holden
By: Amy Kozachuk | Syracuse EOC
If you ever have the pleasure of meeting Syracuse EOC HSE graduate Theresa Holden, you will be struck by her enthusiastic energy and her ability to spread it to you! Theresa has maintained this positivity throughout her educational journey as an adult. Because Theresa had to leave school in the eighth grade to help her family, she could not read very well. She knew adult education was for her. After successfully completing LiteracyCNY classes to improve her reading skills, she enrolled in Syracuse EOC’s Introduction to Academics program. In that program, Theresa continued to build her reading and math skills to be able to enroll in the HSE (High School Equivalency) program to prepare for the TASC exam and earn her high school diploma. “Click” to learn more about Theresa Holden
