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Contact: Julie Navejar
kajam03@tamuk.edu or 361-593-2590

EOC offers assistance for those who want to continue education

KINGSVILLE (July 13, 2005) — The Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) at Texas A&M University-Kingsville is gearing up for their fall recruitment at the nine centers across five South Texas Counties. The EOC is one of the components of the Special Programs department at the university.

“The EOC provides adults in Kleberg, Jim Wells, Nueces, Brooks and Duval counties with quality information, guidance and counseling that we hope will lead them onto a new career path,” said Edgar Nandin, EOC director.

“Our primary focus is on economically disadvantaged adults, dislocated or displaced workers and low-income and first generation individuals who have the desire to reach their full potential.”

“We offer assistance with financial aid, career information and access to education programs to help them reach that potential,” Nandin said.

With over 2,400 participants currently in the program, there have been more than a few success stories.

“Since I started college, it has always been tough trying to get situated with the different departments around campus. At one particular time, I was not going to be able to attend school because of a low grade point average that happened because of a personal illness,” Sonny Martinez of Hebbronville said.

“I didn’t know what to do. I knew I wanted to enroll in school, but I needed financial aid to pay for my classes. It was then I was introduced to the EOC. They worked with financial aid to help me get the funds I needed to return to school. Last spring I thought about transferring to another university and EOC helped me with everything, but I realized leaving A&M-Kingsville would be a mistake because I may not find the help I get here.”

Lupe Ortiz of Kingsville, a psychology major, is another example of how the EOC helps students. “I attended college right after high school, but I didn’t finish. I have been working at the university physical plant for 20 years and always knew I should return to school, but really didn’t know where to start.

“I kept putting off college until I met the staff at the EOC. They motivated and encouraged me to return to school to get my degree. They did everything for me from admissions, to getting my transcript to helping me fill out the financial aid paper work. It was so easy with their help. I am glad to say I will start classes in the fall.”

Aileen Escamilla, a Kingsville native majoring in international business, also is attending classes at A&M-Kingsville thanks to the EOC program. “One of the reasons I almost stopped going to school was because of the lack of funds,” she said.

“Luckily, with the help of the EOC staff, I was able to come back to school. They work with students individually and are willing to bend over backwards to keep students enrolled. I was terrified that I was not able to provide the money I needed to pay my tuition, but the hard work and dedication from the people in the EOC paid off.

“They knew who to call and what to ask to help me in my situation. I am proud to say I am currently attending classes,” Escamilla said.

The EOC was developed with the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act of 1972 that was a Congressional mandate to assert the nation’s commitment to providing educational opportunity for all Americans. The A&M-Kingsville center was established in 2002 in an effort to break the cycle of poverty by helping the economically disadvantaged citizens of our five-county area make the transition from secondary to postsecondary education.

The EOC offers students access to the internet and its full complement of admission and financial aid services, a fast and easy way to apply using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) with the assistance of admission counselors and access to the latest college and university brochures and catalogs, test registration booklets, career guides, vocational and technical school information and admission and financial aid applications for the universities and colleges in South Texas and others.

The A&M-Kingsville EOC also provides referrals for practice GED testing and preparation assistance, guidance in choosing the right college, university or vocational/technical school, information on scholarships and other financial aid resources and career counseling.

For more information on the EOC call 361-593-2867, call toll free 1-800-726-8192 or go online at http://www.tamuk.edu/sass/specialprograms/eoc.htm.

 

This page last updated 15 July, 2005