May 16, 2012: EOC Graduation Ceremony: On May 22, 2012 the Educational Opportunity Center will host its 39th Annual Graduation Ceremony at the University at Buffalo North Campus in the Slee Hall Building at 7pm. All of the Center's students that have worked so hard this year will experience a grand ceremony that they and their families will remember for years to come. Come one come all to Slee Hall and enjoy the evening.

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May 14, 2012: Tuition-Free Defensive Driving Course (for Currently Attending or Previously Attending EOC Students ONLY). EOC is making this course available to our current or alumni students on June 7th & June 14th from 4pm-7pm at EOC, 465 Washington Street (downtown). Attendance at both sessions is required. You can remove up to 4 points off your driving record and lower the No-fault, Collision and Liability portions of your car insurance by attending the course. To register, currently attending students can contact their counselor at EOC by calling 849-6727 x111 and request a transfer to your counselor. Previously attending students can contact EOC and ask for x111.

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May 11, 2012: Kathleen's CSI - (College Success Investigated)

Kathleen graduated from EOC’s Medical Assistant program. Soon after, she accepted a Medical  Assistant position that EOC had prepared her for. Life sometimes has a way of taking us through some unexpected turns, so was the case with Kathleen’s entrance into a field that she had prepared for. Later, Kathleen was unable to continue working in the field and she found herself needing to pursue other opportunities.

Not to be discouraged, Kathleen knew that education was the key to providing a better life for herself and her family. College-going friends of Kathleen’s had encouraged her to consider attending college and she decided to pursue college because of her friend’s caring encouragement that she could do it. Kathleen then contacted EOC’s College Connections office and sought assistance. Shortly thereafter, Kathleen was accepted into Erie Community College in the fall of 2011 and changed her major to Crime Scene Technology because of her great interest in the field due to her love of television shows like The First 48 and CSI. Kathleen’s interest in the field had stemmed from the lives of some of her relatives being tragically impacted from being victimized by crime. For a long time, Kathleen maintained an appreciation of how crime scene investigative technology has helped her relatives seek and receive justice. Kathleen also felt that entering this field still would permit her to help others.   

When Kathleen arrived in college, she said to herself “I can do this” and further shared “I have a family and responsibilities and a college education will make it possible for me to better support my family. ” Now being a college student, Kathleen says “I have impressed myself that I have been able to work, manage my household and go to school at the same time.”

When asked about her time at EOC, Kathleen said “EOC is a good place to start. Its free, they teach you, they help you, they reach out to you and the teachers encourage you. My experience at EOC showed me how to work together as a team. EOC’s teachers, counselors and College Connections staff all were helpful.” Kathleen finally shared “I know what EOC did for me. It helped me advance in my career and my education because I would have not been able to go to college if it wasn’t for EOC. They help you get a head start towards college.”  Life has taken Kathleen through some various turns but she is on track to get what she wants most - her degree. Good luck Kathleen, we know that you’ll succeed.

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May 8, 2012 - Allied Health Training Open House at EOC: Today's Open House event at EOC was a success. The event was well-attended by 60+ people from the community interested in exploring a career in allied health. Instructors from EOC's Dental Assistant, Medical Assistant, Medical Clinical Lab Tech, Electronic Health Records, Spanish for Healthcare Workers and Certified Nursing Assistant Review programs were on hand to showcase their programs with interesting displays and equipment that generated a lot of questions from those who attended the event.

One recent Dental Assistant graduate, Tyra Blodgett, staffed a display table with pictures of dental x-rays, dental molds, tooth brushes and other tools used in the field. Tyra cheerfully answered questions from all who visited her table. Tyra graduated this month and has been hired as a Dental Assistant by Dr. Kathryn Rand, DDS: Orthodontics in West Seneca, NY.

When asked what she wanted those to know who are thinking about attending EOC, Tyra said "EOC gave me an opportunity to obtain a career." She added "EOC is great for someone that needs a new start, or needs a career change, or needs their GED. I would definitely recommend EOC." Tyra is another satisfied customer... you could be next! 

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May 7, 2012 - Three Cheers for EOC!:  An EOC student recently wanted to share her thoughts with us about what EOC has meant to her. Below is what she shared in her own words:

"Hi,

The school is on the move. I love EOC, the school is always finding ways to better serve the people of our community, and especially for those who are interested in returning to school and reaching their educational goals. Thank you for being there for me. Sometimes when you are a young person and you are not sure which way to go, you need the guidance of someone who truly cares for you.  EOC wants to see you succeed. Every time I enter the building, there is a feeling of retuning back home.  

Have a great weekend!!!

Sincerely,

Linda B."

Thank you so much Linda! Your comments remind us that what we are doing is all worth while.

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May 4, 2012: On Tuesday, May 1st EOC participated in the State University of New York / Western NY Showcase Event at Buffalo State College's Burchfield Penny Arts Center. SUNY holds events like this across NYS to inform communities state-wide of the innovative academic and vocational programming occurring on its university campuses and EOCs located throughout the state. One of EOC's Information Technology students, Gerald G. attended the event and said "The event at Buffalo State College was interesting and seemed to be pretty well attended." He added "The UB EOC display was profesional..." The EOC display illustrated the educational pipeline path that he and two other EOC students have taken to achieve their educational and career goals. The event was also attended by area college presidents, their staffs and the State University of New York Chancellor Nancy Zimpher.

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January 13, 2012 - Medical Billing & Coding: EOC will be launching a Medical Billing program in the Fall of 2012. Keep an eye on our "What's New" tab for details as they become available.

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January 12, 2012 - Jarrel Goes To College

Jarrel completed EOC’s College Prep Program in May 2011. After starting at EOC, Jarrel approached the College Connections office and expressed interest in attending college. Jarrel has now been accepted at Erie Community College (ECC), where he is now in their Liberal Arts & Sciences/General Studies program and will later transfer to UB’s Respiratory Care program. He says he would like to someday work in the Emergency Room of an area hospital and be able to help patients “breathe better if they have lung cancer or asthma”.

Being in college (at ECC) is “nice and a different experience” Jarrel says. He adds “it’s nothing like high school. You have to turn in your papers on time and study three hours a week”. 

When asked if he would recommend EOC to others, Jarrell says “I would most definitely recommend EOC as a great place in helping you get to where you want go”. While at EOC, Jarrel also sought out employment assistance with their Career Services office. He now works for Home Depot as a Plumbing Associate assisting customers find and purchase items to complete home improvement projects. EOC's Challenge: Just try and keep up with Jarrel!

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December 5, 2011: EOC now has an official   twitter account!
Everyone who has a twitter account can now follow EOC for tweets (updates).
Search for:  BuffaloEOC. Tell everyone!

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June 14, 2011: EOC Is Going Places! Be sure to checkout the progress made on our new facility opening in 2013. Click Here