The Educational Opportunity Center program at Cal State Long Beach was recently awarded a five-year, $1.33 million grant by the U.S. Department of Education. The grant will go to help assist adult participants who wish to enter, re-enter, continue or enroll in a program of post-secondary education.
The EOC program is sponsored by the CSULB Foundation and is funded by the DOE, in which $226,600 a year will support staff salaries, benefits and services for participants.
“I believe in promoting higher education, and assisting individuals to achieve their dreams,” said EOC Director Michele Scott, a Los Angeles resident who has served in the position since 2002.
The center’s mission is to assist program participants to reach their educational and career goals by providing them with information, guidance and services.
“Some participants have thought for a long time about returning to school, but due to personal and financial obligations they have delayed their enrollment. We want to make sure we are there to provide assistance and support them in reaching their educational goals,” said Scott.
The EOC provides free information and service to the individuals who meet the program criteria in the cities of Artesia, Compton, Hawaiian Gardens, Long Beach, Lynwood, Norwalk, Paramount, Willowbrook and Wilmington.
To be eligible for services, participants must be a citizen, national or permanent resident of the United States; be at least 19; reside, attend school or receive services in the target area; be enrolled or interested in enrolling in a high school diploma, GED program or program of post-secondary education; request information or assistance in applying for post-secondary admission or financial aid; and have a need for one or more of the offered program services.
Two-thirds must be low-income or potential first generation with the federal regulations.
Applications are one-on-one in-person meetings. “They are individual meetings because each person has different needs. I usually sit down with them for about an hour to answer anything they want to know,” Scott said.
Program services include academic advisement, assistance in completing college admission and testing applications and career advisement.
“We want to make sure our program participants are given all the help they need, and we have more financial aid workshops,” said Curglin Robertson, educational career coordinator.
The EOC mission helps assist about 1,000 participants a year.
“Many employers will not hire without a high school diploma or additional training and education. EOC encourages its participants to enroll in adult schools, vocational training and/or post-secondary education programs,” Scott said. “Thanks to grants like this, we can continue to sponsor workshops, information tables at community fairs, and work in collaboration with local adult schools, community agencies and community colleges in making a difference among area residents.”
