EOP Success Stories 2020

Before coming to CSUN and joining EOP I found it intimidating and alone throughout my high school years. I still had support, but it wasn't the support I needed. I was intimidated in starting my journey as a freshman in college because I felt that I wasn't good enough or that I was going to make friends. When EOP accepted me into their program, it felt as if a weight was lifted off my chest and that I wasn't going to be alone throughout my college journey. 

EOP made me feel welcomed and that I belonged there. They made my transition from high school to college run so smoothly that it felt amazing. EOP made me feel confident in the classes I was taking because I knew what they were doing and trusted them in helping me get where I am today. I'm about to graduate soon and it's a big thanks to EOP for being my helping and supportive hand - for making me feel that anything is possible.

My advice for future EOP students is to not worry and not question if they belong because EOP will make you feel welcomed. I want to let them know to never be afraid to ask questions or to ask for a helping hand. I would also advise them to never lose contact with their advisors and to do some follow ups just to check in because sometimes those follow ups can lead you to new doors of opportunities.

Brenda Castrellon
B.A. in Art

EOP has been a part of my educational journey since I was in community college. Being a part of EOP at CSUN was just a continuing journey but in a different level of education. I always felt welcomed and helped throughout my two years at CSUN, and for that alone, I am thankful for EOP and everyone who makes it happen. A student's journey is not only to strive for higher education, but it is a journey to be part of something and with the extra help of EOP, we feel as if we are a part of something huge and CHANGE. And for that, I am super grateful and thankful of the program for letting me be a part of it. As I continue my education journey in higher education, I hope to one day be a lifetime partner for programs like EOP who aim to help students out. 

To future EOP students, don't ever feel like you are alone in your educational journey, EOP GOT YOU.

Kelly Lopez
B.A. Psychology

I want to express my sincere thank you to EOP. Without your support, I wouldn’t be able to achieve what I got now. Thank you again for being by my side in the pursuing of my dream! I started my education in this beautiful country as an ESL student, with two children under my responsibility; my only desire was to learn the language and get a job. I was tempted several times to quit school. But finding the support of EOP counselors, I decide to continue my education and follow an AA degree. After that, I apply to CSUN. And EOP has been there for me all the time. They have the best tutors and advisors to support and guide students to succeed in their endeavors. I always push myself to do my best, and I feel grateful and blessed to have the opportunity to be an EOP member and a Matador student! I am happy that I never give up on my dreams. I firmly believe that knowledge is power, and it is the best investment that people can do for themselves. I want my kids to be proud of their mom, and I want to succeed for them and me. I know that is not going to be easy— never has been, but I’m willing to continue working hard to achieve my goals. Being an EOP member allowed me to cope with economic obstacles in my way. For me to be an EOP and a CSUN Matador is a privilege. It is a dream come true.

My sincere advise for future EOP matadors would be--take all the opportunities EOP offers. Ask them for advisement, tutoring, workshops, job interview... You’ll see that achieving your dreams is much easier when you have the support of EOP.’

Bertha Flores
B.S. Interior Design

My academic journey prior to being in EOP was good but I was discouraged at times because of how challenging college would be. I was unsure of how I would balance work from each of my classes. Once I started EOP in the summer of 2016, I started to gain confidence by the help of the mentors and the staff. My biggest challenge has always been math. With the help of the tutors and encouragement from the tutors in EOP, I passed my math class. After that, I raised my GPA to a 3.5 which helped me make the Dean’s List, which is a great accomplishment. What stood out the most to me was that with constant hard work and dedication you can accomplish anything and that’s what EOP taught me and helped me utilize that to every part of my life. The advise I would like to share with EOP students is use all of your resources and don’t hesitate to ask faculty members for help because they are always there to help you. You may not know when you need help but when you do, always use your resources because they can make things easier and manageable for you.

Davonte Russell
Entertainment Media Management
Minor: Africana Studies

In 1994, I found myself incarcerated and sentenced to 25 years and a million-dollar fine. What helped most in my transformation was the self-education that I was exposed to while incarcerated, paying my debt to society working in a prison law/ library. It was during that period on the shelves in the prison library in my early 30’s that I discovered African-American authors and scholars whom my childhood and secondary school educators had determined were unworthy of being included in my pedagogical experience. It was writers and thinkers like James Baldwin, Zora Neale Hurston, Richard Wright, Ralph Ellison, Langston Hughes, Claude Brown, W.E.B. Dubois, Ernest J. Gaines, and Toni Morrison who showed me how to be in the world. They helped me understand who I was, in all my complexity. They also shone a light on who I might become. Following several years of incarceration, numerous challenges, some self-inflicted I finally found my purpose following my release. Moreover, enabling me to begin my educational trajectory at Los Angeles Valley College ( LAVC) where I completed my A.A. General Studies-Social & Behavioral Science.

Since my arrival at CSUN, the Educational Opportunity Program has empowered me to be of service to my peers. In 2019 I was elected to serve as Chair of the University Student Union Board of Directors by staff, faculty, and my peers. I served as a committed volunteer on behalf of students who may face academic and other challenges because of structural inequalities that have reduced their possibilities for attaining their potential. I served as a tutor and mentor in the Black Male Scholars Program, which supports African-Americans who have struggled to overcome prejudgments and over-policing. I was part of the CSUN M3 Minority Male Project, which has many of the same goals but supports a larger population that includes Latinx, Native nations, and South Asian men. I also encourage others to learn from my prison experience through the CSUN Revolutionary Scholars Project by speaking about interlocking systems of oppression that result in incarceration. It has been an honor and much gratitude to be recognized with numerous awards, scholarships, and accolades and most recently awarded one of CSUN Outstanding Graduating Seniors for 2020. I look forward to continuing my academic endeavors at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs MSW program but never forgetting where I came from or who help me get there. Matador/EOP 4 life.

"Asking for help isn't a sign of weakness, but rather a strong indication of perseverance, resilience, and strength." -Tyrone Carter

Tyrone Carter
Africana Studies & Psychology

From summer 2016, I was really nervous about coming into college, and not finishing my undergrad, but when I quickly found my support system, everything changed. In the beginning of my college career, I felt like I did not have the skills to be successful but with the help of my EOP, professor, mentor, and peers, I was able to gain confidence in my abilities to succeed academically. If it were not for by college career starting with EOP summer bridge, I do not know what that would have been like for me. 

My advise to EOP students is do not be scared to get out there and be involved. Everyone is scared and nervous, but it is your own self that stops you from letting go of that fear. You only have four years in college, try to make the most out of it.

Esmeralda Avila
B.A. Liberal Studies

School has always been a struggle for me. In eighth grade, I was diagnosed with a visual processing disorder. There have been multiple times when I have taken more time to learn things than others, leading myself to feel discouraged. However, I still persevered through my struggles. In 2018, I graduated from Moorpark College and transferred to CSUN through the Transfer Bridge Program. Since then, I have made new friends and have made many new memories. EOP has helped me in any ways. I have been given a lot of support and have been helped advocating for myself when I have been struggling in my classes. When I have had difficulty in a class, my EOP mentors helped me in any way they could. I am now graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies. I will be continuing on with my educational journey by completing a teaching credential program to earn my credentials and become an elementary school teacher!

My advise to other EOP students is don’t give up on yourself. Never be afraid to ask for help. Asking for help allows you to learn from others and grow. Things may get hard, but it’s important to get right back up and keep going. The future is bright. Believe in yourself and you will achieve your goals.