Good evening. Thank you so much for this generous honor.
Chancellor King and all elected officials and dignitaries, all protocols duly observed.
I am deeply grateful to the SUNY Office of Opportunity Programs, Senior Associate Vice Chancellor Cheryl Hamilton, and the EOP alumni, students, staff and advocates gathered here tonight. Being recognized by the EOP alumni community—on this important weekend among so many leaders committed to equity and access—is truly meaningful to me.
The Educational Opportunity Program is among SUNY’s most enduring and impactful expressions of its public mission. At SUNY Oswego, EOP has been changing lives since 1970—opening doors to higher education and providing students with the academic, personal and financial support they need to succeed. From the required summer bridge experience to dedicated advising through graduation to assistance with basic needs and preparation for what comes next, EOP embodies meeting students where they are and helping them realize their full potential.
For more than 55 years, EOP students at SUNY Oswego—many of them first-generation college students—have persisted with determination and purpose. Some of them are here with me this evening: Ashly Arzu, who is double-majoring in Criminal Justice and Human Development; Cristal Garcia Corporan, double-majoring in Human Development and Spanish; Ahmad Quadri, majoring in Information Science; Diana Quiridumbay, another double major, studying Political Science and Sociology; and Sarai Santiago, majoring in Music. Can I get a round of applause for these outstanding students?
Their success stories are powerful reminders that talent is everywhere and that access to one opportunity, when paired with intentional support, can transform lives, families and communities.
Our recent enrollment and persistence data at SUNY Oswego give us a real reason to celebrate. Actual fall enrollment of first-time, full-time EOP students rose from 102 in Fall 2024 to 121 in Fall 2025—an 18.63 percent increase in one year. Our students are also persisting at higher rates, with retention rising from 60.64 percent to 66.67 percent year over year. We remain committed to improving on these numbers. This is what SUNY’s public mission looks like in action—expanded access, stronger persistence and measurable progress—driven by intentional support and an unwavering belief in our students.
This recognition affirms our collective commitment to student success at all levels, a commitment to transform lives and ignite possibilities, at the core of our 2025–2030 Strategic Plan. While I am personally honored, this honor truly belongs to the EOP professionals who do this work every day, such as Scott Cunningham and Damon Nguyen, our EOP advisors; to our campus partners who champion access and belonging; and, most importantly, to the students and alumni whose resilience and excellence define the program.
I am proud of SUNY Oswego’s continued efforts to strengthen EOP enrollment, support student well-being and ensure that access and opportunity remain central to who we are and what we do.
To the EOP alumni here tonight: thank you for leading by example, for lifting as you climb and for reminding us why this work matters so deeply. Your journeys inspire us, and your voices help shape a more just and inclusive future.
Thank you again for this honor and for your continued partnership in advancing educational opportunity across SUNY.
Remain well.
—President Peter O. Nwosu