The Extended Opportunity Programs and Services is a 37-year-old program offered by Pierce College that provides extended services for students who are handicapped by language, social, economic and educational disadvantages.
The main goal is to assist college students during a sometimes strenuous quest for education through retention and completion of goals set by the student during the academic year.
Fatima Lopez, a 2006 EOP&S honors graduate and current program assistant, said the program supported her in “surpassing her own goals.”
Tuition, books, advisement, parking, classes or professors can be overwhelming, leaving the student lost in the college shuffle.
Although college can be a time to embrace freedom and define independence, there is always a need for a backup plan.
“EOP&S helped me to make a better transition through the connection with advisers,” said Lopez.
Although she said she was not advised of all her transfer options, other aspects of the program, such as book grants, tutors and the cap and gown assistance program, enabled her to succeed.
“They recognize you for your hard work,” said Lopez.
The program was first adopted in 1970 to serve students who are educationally and economically disadvantaged.
According to David Follosco, director of EOP&S, the concept behind the program is to go “above and beyond” through transfer workshops and required advisement three times a semester.
The first advisement session is a contact session to develop an educational plan; the second is an in-term session to ensure progress; and the third, at term end, is an overall assessment of the student’s goals.
A diverse group of students use the program, according to Follosco.
The 63 percent female, 37 percent male population consists of different age and ethnic groups.
EOP&S also offers child care assistance grants through the Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education (CARE) program for single parents with children 14 years or younger.
According to John James, assistant director and EOP&S academic counselor, through one-on-one counseling, workshops, book service, priority registration and tutoring, more than 300 students transferred to universities last year, creating a successful program.
To be eligible for the EOP&S program, an individual must be enrolled in at least 12 units, a resident of California, educationally disadvantaged and have no high school diploma, unless they finished high school with a GPA less than 2.5, according to Title V of the California Administrative Code.
In addition to Article II of the administrative code, for eligibility, the student cannot have more than 70 units of degree-applicable coursework in any combination of higher education institutions.
This means that individuals who have already obtained a degree are not eligible for assistance.
Sose Shirinian is a student worker in the program and first-year EOP&S student.
“The meetings help you get a better idea of where you are,” she said. “You are sheltered, but in an independent way.”
She said the counselors do their best to make sure the students do not fall behind.
“You don’t feel like an insect in a big field, you have help,” she said.
EOP&S is located in the Village in room 8213 for additional information they can be reached at (818) 719-6422.
Linda De Leon gets some advice from counselor Elizabeth Strother about transferring at EOP’S . “This program makes my life simple,” Leon said. (Kiyomi Kikuchi)