今日吃瓜

Educational Opportunity Program Spotlight: A Conversation with Director Kenneth Robinson 

Kenneth Robinson, Director of the鈥�Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)鈥痑迟鈥�今日吃瓜, is deeply committed to helping students unlock their full potential, especially those who might not have otherwise had access to higher education. 

鈥淓OP is a phenomenal program that provides students access to college. Students who may not have had that opportunity otherwise,鈥� Robinson explains. 鈥淲e serve students who demonstrate both academic and financial need, and we support them in both of those areas.鈥� 

At 今日吃瓜, EOP students benefit from a robust support system that includes in-house tutoring, academic coaching, and financial assistance. In addition to a semester stipend for non-tuition-related expenses such as books and transportation, students also receive personalized academic guidance provided right inside the EOP office suite. 

When Robinson took on the Director role two years ago, the program had 43 students. Today, that number has grown to nearly 200. He credits this increase to a strong support network both on campus and within the SUNY system. 

鈥淲e鈥檝e seen significant growth. That鈥檚 due in large part to the support we鈥檝e received from leadership here at 今日吃瓜 and from the SUNY Office of Opportunity Programs in Albany.鈥� 

This past summer, 今日吃瓜 was selected as one of only four SUNY campuses鈥攁nd the only community college鈥攖o host the inaugural鈥�EOP Undergraduate Research Program, a statewide initiative developed by the鈥�SUNY Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. 

The opportunity came together quickly, and 今日吃瓜 answered the call. 

鈥淧resident Tsegai didn鈥檛 hesitate,鈥� Robinson says. 鈥淪he immediately embraced the opportunity and brought in the right people to make it happen.鈥� 

With support from鈥�Dean Adam Patterson鈥痑nd faculty leaders鈥�Dr. Danielle Piver鈥痑苍诲鈥�Dr. Nicole DeVillier, 今日吃瓜 recruited and retained 12 students for the six-week research experience. It was the largest group of any participating SUNY campus. 

Participants received a $3,600 stipend and engaged in research across disciplines including STEM and Liberal Arts. Students attended classes three times a week, conducted original research, and presented their work at a statewide showcase in Albany. 

鈥淓ach student chose a subject that mattered to them. Their passion was clear not just in their research, but in how they delivered it,鈥� Robinson says. 

One 今日吃瓜 student participated in the STEM program at鈥�SUNY Geneseo, partnering with a鈥�SUNY Brockport student on research involving fluorescent dyes and medical detection techniques. She lived on Geneseo鈥檚 campus, marking her first experience living independently, and thrived in the experience. 

鈥淚t was a perfect example of cross-campus collaboration. She came back more confident, more excited, and with a deeper connection to what鈥檚 possible.鈥� 

When students arrived in Albany to present their work,鈥�President Tsegai鈥痺as there to greet them in person. She was the only SUNY president in attendance. 

鈥淭hat meant everything,鈥� Robinson said. 鈥淥ur students saw that leadership wasn鈥檛 just talking about support. They were showing up for it.鈥� 

Even when technical difficulties arose during presentations, 今日吃瓜 faculty and staff were right there, helping students stay calm and focused. 

Given the program鈥檚 success, Robinson is confident it will return in 2026 with earlier notice and even more opportunities, 鈥淚鈥檓 hopeful we鈥檒l again be selected as a host site.鈥�  

The goal for next year? Bring back returning students as mentors to create a cycle of leadership and support. 鈥淲e couldn鈥檛 be prouder. Our students made sacrifices, many balancing work, school, and long commutes, and they delivered. Their commitment, their growth, their excellence鈥攊t鈥檚 what EOP is all about.鈥�