Galloway, N.J. – “EOF” is more than just an acronym for Educational Opportunity Fund at Stockton. It stands for “Extension of Family,” as demonstrated by the strength of the community of students, staff and faculty who participated in the program.

Over the last 50 years, EOF has become a beacon of hope and an avenue for marginalized and underserved students to access higher education and upward mobility. Through the program, eligible students receive the tools and resources that they need to prepare for, excel in and graduate from colleges and universities in New Jersey. 

This year, 115 eligible students participated in Stockton’s EOF Summer Academy, living on the Galloway campus and spending a month learning, developing leadership skills and building social connections. When they return for fall classes on Sept. 5, EOF students will have a network of peers and faculty and be prepared to navigate courses, on-campus employment, and student clubs during the academic year.

This sets them up for success. In fact, 95-98% of EOF students from 2021-2023 persisted past the first semester, according to Ana DeNise, director of EOF at Stockton and alumna of Georgian Court University’s EOF program.

“There's anecdotal data that illustrates the importance of the Summer Academy in terms of setting them up to be prepared for the academic rigor and time management that they’ll need, so the students do feel supported, and their confidence increases from summer to fall,” DeNise said.

This year’s Summer Academy included a boot camp with the Career Education & Development office, learning about community service with the Stockton Center of Community Engagement & Service Learning and exploring mental health with the Counseling and Psychological Services office.  

“I learned that I have to be able to use all the resources around me. My tuition is already paying for them, so I might as well use them,” said incoming Secondary Education major Nikiya Smith of Camden.

A day-long summit tackled topics such as servant leadership, perseverance through hardship, time management, avoiding microaggressions and developing one’s emotional intelligence. 

The keynote speech, delivered by Assistant Vice President of Student Access & Retention Ana Edmondson, set the tone for the day. Edmondson, a Rutgers University EOF alumna, delved into her sometimes-tumultuous journey to higher education to emphasize the importance of support and connection when it comes to working toward one’s goals.

“If it wasn't for EOF, I wouldn't be standing in front of you today,” Edmondson said. “EOF is so powerful – you’re among 12,000 students who are actively participating in the program, and the number of alumni extends far beyond that.”

This message of becoming a family was emphasized during the class of 2024’s closing ceremony. In addition to receiving pastel-blue shirts emblazoned with the EOF triangle on the back, students received words of encouragement from William Latham, interim vice president for Student Affairs.

“To see you all gives me great hope for what America can be. In this country, we need hope, and for folks to believe in something greater than themselves. I see that in all of you in this room, in how you all carry yourselves, and in the aspirations you all have for yourselves.  

“So, when you start having to make choices when you come back here in the fall, think about what you really want to be, and talk to us, the people you found as a family in this program. That's why I think I love the ‘Extension of Family’ that I saw on the back of your shirts – because we are your family. We believe in you. We see ourselves in you. And we're here to stand by you every step of the way,” Latham said.

“A lot of EOF students come back to work in EOF or to work in higher education to kind of give back what EOF has given to them, which I think is beautiful in and of itself. It really does ring true that EOF also stands for extension of family, but also, once you're EOF, you're EOF for life,” DeNise said. 

– Story by Loukaia Taylor

– Photos by Lizzie Nealis and Susan Allen 

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