Finding strength in linking arms, scholars from colleges across the state come together for a statewide summit hosted by the Educational Opportunity Fund Professional Association of New Jersey and Montclair’s Future College Graduate Academy.
The Future College Graduate Academy at Montclair State University hosted an inaugural Statewide Men’s Conference on March 25 sponsored by the Educational Opportunity Fund Professional Association of New Jersey to support Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) scholars from across the state in their personal and career goals.
“The conference was inspired by multiple EOF programs throughout the state understanding the phenomena, which is males of color in higher education not graduating or being retained at high rates,” explained Montclair’s EOF Director Rahjaun Gordon ’21 PhD.
The conference prioritized supporting EOF male scholars by focusing on protective factors, such as mentorship, peer-to-peer support and cross-campus collaborative efforts to address this issue, Gordon said.
Photo Gallery
Motivational speaker and alumnus Michael Spence ’14 shares his keynote message of being hungry for success.EOF programs from across the state joined together to inspire scholars to reach their personal, educational and professional goals. Presenters included Reggie Walker, adjunct professor of Family Science and Human Development, and Enrique Noguera, EOF director of Passaic County Community College.Montclair EOF Director Rahjaun Gordon ’21 PhD served as host to 86 scholars from across the state representing Caldwell University, Bloomfield College, Rutgers University New Brunswick, Rutgers University Newark, Rutgers University Camden, Rider University, Rowan College at Burlington County, Saint Elizabeth University, Passaic County Community College, Mercer County Community College, Union County College, NJIT, Ramapo College and Georgian Court University.
