Oswego student among EOP Ambassadors recognized by SUNY

For Ahmad Quadri of SUNY Oswego, who was among 20 students statewide among the sixth class of SUNY Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) Student Ambassadors, his time at Oswego has involved learning a lot about problem-solving.

“I’ve learned so much about problem-solving in labs and classes and real life,” Quadri said.

Majoring in information science and minoring in electrical engineering, he has learned about problem-solving in research and advancing important projects. By working the EOP summer bridge program, he has learned about problem-solving for Lakers brand new to campus, independence and decision-making. And coming to America from Pakistan to study at SUNY Oswego has taught problem-solving in terms of learning about and contributing to a new country and culture.

The new ambassadors, introduced by State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. on Oct. 7 in Albany, span 18 campuses and serve as mentors to other students, encourage high school seniors to enroll, help build on the established student support network for EOP students across the SUNY system and advise SUNY on ways to keep strengthening the program. 

“For 60 years, SUNY's Educational Opportunity Program has supported tens of thousands of students as they work to achieve academic excellence and upward mobility,” said SUNY Chancellor King. 

“EOP students are models of student success and some of our most effective ambassadors for the affordable excellence SUNY provides,” Chancellor King added. “SUNY is proud to recognize the hard work of our EOP students and provide them opportunities to support their peers during their academic journey.”

Quadri’s academic journey was an international one, coming to America in 2021 to pursue education and finding Oswego as an attractive option while looking at schools.

Meeting Oswego representatives – including Gabriel Golfo, a former Oswego EOP ambassador now working in the university’s Admissions Office – at a SUNY college fair convinced Quadri to visit campus.

“When I visited the campus, it felt like it was a good place because it was not too big and not too small,” Quadri recalled. “I felt like I’ll be able to do a lot here and fit properly.”

That hunch proved true, as he has been able to form quality connections with professors to work on research projects, fellow Lakers and the always-helpful EOP office.

Finding opportunities

“There are so many opportunities here, and the only thing people have to do is reach out,” Quadri said. “I told some professors I was interested in research, and they said they definitely would give me an opportunity to work with them.”

One project involves collaborating with Adrian Ieta of electrical and computer engineering on a patented process to create ionic thrust – making an object fly propelled by only magnetic-field energy. 

“We're working on different shapes to maximize the thirst on those propellers because they are working with electromagnetic fields and how the electric magnetic field will change according to shape and width shape or width size, trying to determine what be the best,” Quadri explained.

Quadri also works with criminal justice faculty member Megan Willows and relates to videogame theory and how characters’ gender and race affect players’ real-world perceptions of violence and crime.

“My plan is to develop a website where we can upload the images that we are using, so we have something that is local so we don't have to pay an outside website,” Quadri said. “This is where my information science experience can come in handy and provide the ability to create something usable and helpful.”

For Quadri, both projects allow him to expand his knowledge while gaining experience finding answers to interesting questions.

“People are very welcoming and want to help you, and let you help them,” Quadri said. “In these projects, I get to take over some tasks to make their work easier, and try to find ways to help that they might not have even considered.”

Since being accepted as an EOP student at SUNY Oswego, Quadri has pursued many opportunities the program has to offer. As an EOP Academic Peer Coach, he has been paired with students each semester to help them develop successful academic skills in college. As an EOP Summer Peer Leader, he assists prospective EOP freshmen in completing their summer bridge program. 

“If it weren’t for EOP, I wouldn’t have been given these opportunities or met the people that have helped me go after and accomplish these goals,” Quadri said. “EOP has helped build me into someone who is in a position where I can make a difference."

One particularly helpful opportunity was participating in the EOP Summer Research Internship for 2026, where he spent his summer at the University at Buffalo experimenting on CIGS (a type of thin-film photovoltaic technology) solar cells for use in outer space. 

Quadri got to work beside faculty and advanced researchers who changed his perspective on what he wanted to do with his career.

“It was such a great experience,” Quadri recalled. It showed me learning doesn't stop after you graduate. My plan was originally like, I'm going to graduate and find a job and just work 9 to 5. But I realized like I don't have to do that because I can just keep researching on something. I can keep finding answers or solving problems. That was a very life-changing two months for me.”

Character and values

In nominating Quadri, Joey Tse – director of SUNY Oswego’s EOP – noted extraordinary commitment, drive and ability to overcome obstacles.

“In combination with his moral values, he exudes key fundamental values that align with the values and mission of EOP,” Tse noted. “Those values are built on a character that portrays kindness, honesty, patience, forgiveness, gratitude and trustworthiness.” 

Beyond the many EOP leadership roles, Tse noted that Quadri serves as volunteer coordinator for SHOP (Students Helping Oz Peers), SUNY Oswego’s food and basic needs pantry; is an active member of the university’s Computer Science Association and campus chapter of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers;  and participates in the Tennis, Badminton and Ice Skating clubs.

Beyond campus, Quadri’s involvement has involved significant event leadership roles, including overseeing player check-in at the 2022 U.S. Open, helping to coordinate logistical flow at the 2022 Nexus Global Summit in New York City and serving as a New York City ambassador for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, managing guest relations. 

“He participated in an Alternative Spring Break sustainability initiative in Virginia as an EOP student representative and attended facility tours at both Micron and National Grid to explore career pathways in his field,” Tse added.

“Ahmad is a true representation of the proverbial well-rounded student,” Tse said. “His ability to make others feel welcome and motivate them to participate is powerful to observe and he has a unique talent for connecting with a variety of his peers on various levels.”

Quadri also is an example of the transformative power of higher education and EOP, Tse said. 

“Having once been a shy and uninvolved student, he now credits EOP for helping him recognize the benefits of getting more involved,” Tse wrote. “He is always looking for ways to explore more opportunities to grow personally, both within and outside of EOP. He is growing into a strong leader within the Oswego EOP community and will easily lend that same set of skills to the broader EOP audience.”

Asked what EOP has meant to his college experiences, Quadri said “pretty much everything.”

“It has provided me financial support and academic support and advising support and social support,” Quadri said. “It’s helped me realize that I do have a lot of leadership skills if I'm given a chance. And EOP has provided me with so many opportunities.”