Graduation Ceremony Celebrates Achievement, Diversity
The Educational Opportunity Program will host a graduation ceremony to celebrate the accomplishments of the more than 200 graduating seniors.
Now in its 14th year, the Educational Opportunity Program at San Diego State University will host a graduation ceremony to celebrate the accomplishments of the more than 200 graduating seniors it supports.
The program provides low income college students with comprehensive services to assist them in reaching academic success and graduation. Because many of the students in the program are the first in their families to graduate from college, the event celebrates the achievements of students with the family and community.
"The primary focus of our program is retention — and this ceremony celebrates our students achieving that goal," said Rodrigo Gutierrez, program coordinator for the Educational Opportunity Program.
"Many of these students have faced obstacles in pursuit of their education, so we celebrate their achievements with their friends and families at a special ceremony."
Perserverance
SDSU's Educational Opportunity Program is dedicated to creating transformational experiences for students.
"We give them the tools to be successful, but their success is all thanks to their hard work and dedication," Gutierrez said. "It's one thing to get into college, but to finish is a whole different accomplishment. We're the support system, but they did all the work."
The ceremony is designed to give students the floor so they can share their personal experiences.
"We want them to share their stories. It's a very student-centered event," Gutierrez said.
Event details
The ceremony will run from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 1 at the Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center.
About the Educational Opportunity Program
The Educational Opportunity Program is an undergraduate retention program that provides support for low-income, educationally disadvantaged students throughout their entire SDSU experience.
Qualifying California residents receive support in their transition from high school to college, academic advising and personal counseling, free tutoring and student-to-student mentoring.
The organization serves as a catalyst for developing leaders who will be change agents for social equity and it provides outreach and retention programs that encourage students to persist toward the goal of a university degree.
