{"id":218815,"date":"2022-08-09T15:47:47","date_gmt":"2022-08-09T19:47:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/?p=218815"},"modified":"2022-08-15T15:57:01","modified_gmt":"2022-08-15T19:57:01","slug":"eof-builds-confidence-to-succeed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/2022\/08\/09\/eof-builds-confidence-to-succeed\/","title":{"rendered":"EOF Builds Confidence to Succeed"},"content":{"rendered":"

Capping rigorous summer academies preparing incoming students for college, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ hosted the 10th annual statewide Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) Empowerment Conference to support the newest class of EOF scholars with the transition to college.<\/p>\n

More than 550 scholars came to Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ on July 28 to hear from motivational speaker and Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ alumnus Michael Spence \u201914 on the importance of intentionally pursuing their personal and professional goals. Participants also took part in workshops designed by Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ\u2019s Future College Graduate Academy to help these highly motivated students from diverse and historically denied backgrounds succeed, open doors and know that they belong.<\/p>\n

“The conference allowed for multiple EOF programs in New Jersey to connect scholars from all the different schools,\u201d said Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ\u2019s EOF Director Dr. Rahjaun Gordon, \u201cproviding multiple breakout sessions, a talent showcase and powerful keynote that scholars were able to enjoy but also learn skills related to navigating college.” <\/p>\n

Photo Gallery:<\/h2>\n
Experiencing the support and motivational talks help EOF scholars feel empowered to persevere and succeed.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
For the past 54 years, New Jersey\u2019s EOF programs have supported generations of scholars from low-income and underrepresented backgrounds.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"EOF
At Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ, a summer academy and year-round support gives EOF scholars the skills, resources and counseling that enable students to persist and to graduate at rates that exceed state and national benchmarks.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
The conference keynote was given by Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ alumnus and motivational speaker Michael Spence \u201914.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Michael
More than 550 students \u2013 from Bloomfield College, Caldwell University, Georgian Court University, Hudson County Community College, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ, New Jersey City University, Passaic County Community College, Ramapo College of New Jersey and Rider University \u2013 react to the presentation.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"student
The EOF four-year graduation rate at Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ is the highest in the history of the program; a key factor being the first-year scholars successfully completing the rigorous six-week summer academy. The statewide conference is one of the culminating retention activities.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"student
Feeling inspired.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Photos by University Photographer Mike Peters<\/a>. <\/p>\n

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