Conference Prepares Students for Success After Graduation
The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) hosted Beyond the Bachelor's Degree, its sixth biannual Student Professional Development Conference, on Friday, October 16. As reflected by attendance and student evaluations, the conference was a huge success. Over 115 undergraduates participated in an array of preparatory workshops on career opportunities and graduate school options.
More than 20 graduate school departments, including UB Law School, were represented at the accompanying graduate school fair. The McNair Scholars program, which promotes research opportunities for students, also hosted an information table.
EOP alumnus Joseph Perez, a federal probation officer who graduated from Buffalo State with degrees in criminal justice and multidisciplinary studies delivered the keynote address. Perez's inspirational message detailed the importance of staying on course to reach one's highest potential; emphasized the importance of networking with faculty and staff; and recounted the speaker's humble beginnings and how the EOP program assisted his intellectual growth.
Associate Vice President for Student Success Daniel Velez offered a warm welcome, while closing remarks were provided by Graduate School Dean Kevin Railey who indicated that EOP student-graduation and-retention rates have steadily increased in the past few years.
The conference was sponsored by EOP, Faculty Student Association, the Graduate School, McNair Scholars Program, and University College.