College Empowerment Opportunity - Extended Opportunity Programs and Services

As an outreach effort, the “College Empowerment Opportunity” experience is a partnership between Irvington High School and the Ohlone College Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS). This partnership provides a safety net for high school students, who may be at risk of falling through the cracks in our educational system.

EOPS is designed to assist students by providing special support services. It is a program that identifies, recruits, places, and retains students who are affected by language, social, educational, and economic barriers.

To ensure that all students are given equal opportunity for academic success, EOPS has developed a plan to equip them with resources, strategies, and study skills that can ignite a fire for learning. A group of 11th grade students at Irvington are selected by their high school counselor to participate in this 13-month program. Workshops are taught twice a month at Irvington to show them how their personality can influence the learning experience using the “True Colors” personality concept. We will also provide them with strategies for learning and succeeding by using Personal Development course material.

Through a variety of innovative and creative methods, we hope to teach students that with discipline, dedication, and hard work, anything is possible. “Each and every student is fertile ground for learning” (McCutcheon & Lindsey, 2005). College Empowerment Opportunity is a “cutting edge” experience that will provide knowledge, courage, the power to flourish, and to dream.

To help “spark” a positive attitude about learning, we will use relative and meaningful tools to help students discover their natural gifts and talents. As well as these tools can also help them recognize their strengths, weaknesses, needs, and frustrations. It is our intent that when students gain these skills, they will learn how to manage their external, internal, and educational challenges.

We look forward to providing students with support that will ensure success. We encourage them to take advantage of the opportunities presented in this program to maximize their potential. If the principles and tools are practiced, we can guarantee that this experience will add value to their life. At the conclusion of this program, we hope that students are inspired and will consider Ohlone College to be their education connection.