Opportunity Program Newsletters
The OP Newsletter is published twice yearly, and includes news and events from the program as well as staff spotlights and social updates.
Celebrating 54 years of empowering students!
We are delighted to bring you the latest update from the Skidmore College Opportunity Program (OP). The summer of 2023 was filled with excitement, growth, and unforgettable experiences for our Opportunity Program students. Here's a recap of this year's Summer Academic Institute:
A Legacy of Success
This summer marked our 54th year supporting and graduating students through the Skidmore College Opportunity Program. We are immensely proud of the achievements and contributions of our program's alumni.
A Diverse Cohort
In July 2023, we extended a warm Skidmore welcome to 35 first-year students hailing from various corners of the country, including New York, Pennsylvania, Florida, Texas, California, Oregon, Ohio, and even Tunisia! The diversity of our cohort continues to enrich our community.
Moving In and Feeling at Home
On Saturday, July 1, 2023, our students moved onto campus, where they were greeted by the dedicated OP professional staff and our enthusiastic OP summer staff. The Skidmore community is known for its warmth, and this day was no exception.
A World of Learning
Our students engaged in a wide range of courses, covering topics from physics and sociology to political science and critical reading and writing. They also received valuable tutoring support from current students and recent graduates throughout the summer.
Building Community
Every Monday, our OP professional team and the Class of 2027 came together for weekly community meetings, a new programmatic installation. These gatherings fostered a sense of belonging and connection among our students.
Weekend Adventures
Weekends were filled with a mix of excitement and relaxation. Students had the opportunity to explore off-campus experiences, such as movies, hiking, kayaking, and s'mores-making at Camp Fowler and mini-golf and laser tag at the Fun Spot. The adventure continued with a visit to Six Flags Great Escape Lodge & Indoor Water Park, a talent show, and a well-deserved self-care day.
Exploring Resources
In addition to academic growth, our students also learned about various on-campus resources through workshops and presentations. Special thanks to Campus Safety, the Counseling Center, Financial Aid, Career Development Center, First-Year Experience, the Writing Center, Health Services, Office of Sustainability, Student Academic Services, Office of Leadership Activities, Office of Academic Advising, and Off-Campus Study & Exchanges for their valuable contributions.
As we move forward into the fall semester, we are excited to continue supporting our OP students on their academic journeys. Stay tuned for more updates and success stories from our remarkable students.
2023 Events & Programming
Some new events and some old classics. We’ve had a fun and eventful year so far.
2023 has been an exciting year filled with good times and amazing student accomplishments, and OP has worked hard to keep up with the needs of our students through steady offerings of events, both old favorites and new additions. Turnout has been robust, and it’s been amazing to see students thriving and active all around campus!
Following on the heels of the highly successful fall 2022 Vision Board event, we kicked off the spring 2023 semester with a Re-Vision Board Party, giving students the opportunity to reflect back on their goals and update them for the new year. Once again, they wowed us with their creative visions and collaging skills. Brilliant minds can do impressive work with just some magazine scraps and glue. This is an event that will certainly be back again!
One of our new offerings was Table Talk: Graduation, Now What?, an event hosted in collaboration with the Office of Admissions. Staff and students came together to reflect on life after graduation and how to prepare oneself for the challenges of entering one’s career path and facing life beyond Skidmore. Students asked tons of great questions; you could tell the future is on their minds.
OP also supported the Career Development Center as they hosted an exciting first-gen event, First to Future: A Networking and Personal Branding Dinner for First-Generation College Students. This networking event gave first-gen students, faculty, staff, and alumni a chance to connect over dinner. The event featured an interactive workshop and a keynote speech from author Ariane Hunter, and we were overjoyed to welcome back OP alum Toyin Koleoso ’22 and Jordana Suriel ’21 as part of the event! It was so good to see them!
Another fun event that has been in the works for a long time was the Major Declaration Party. As declaration day approached, OP hosted a little party in the OP lounge to help students get their paperwork in order and secure the final signatures on their forms. Students arrived to find snacks, music, and grab bag gifts to celebrate this huge step in their academic careers!
These programs complemented our usual lineup of weekly study spaces and monthly OP lunches, which were wildly popular this year. Who can say no to free food and quality time spent together? Throughout the spring, we also offered our recurring assortment of career and internship-focused workshops, with a special eye towards preparing folks for Skidmore’s Summer Experience Fund. We again partnered with the Career Development Center for a resume workshop and hosted well-attended job search tutorials. We were extremely proud to hear that many OP students secured summer funding for exciting internships and experiences.
Considering all the astonishing activities our students participate in around campus, we were elated to see many OP students recognized with Student Government Association Awards at the conclusion of the 2022-2023 academic year. Issy Mejia '23 received the Katherine Scranton Rozendaal Citizenship Award in recognition of leadership and campus engagement, Vicky Grijalva '24 received the Barbara Hume Memorial Prize in recognition of exploring new fields of study, Bryan Cuzco-Sinchi '23 received an SGA Senior Leader Award in recognition of contributions to student government, and Luna Peralta '23 received the Rodney D. Andrews Prize in recognition of service to the campus community. Luna also received the high distinction of the President’s Award for Leadership and Service! It was a fitting acknowledgement to cap off her career of dedicated work on campus. We’re so proud of all of you!
We wrapped up the year with a bittersweet event: The Senior Send-off for our wonderful folks in the Class of 2023. We sent these folks off into the world with a nice little party off-campus at the Wishing Well restaurant, where everyone laughed, ate great food, and got some amazing pics in the photo booth. Good luck to all of our recent grads! We can’t wait to hear about your future journeys!
OP Student Spotlight
As always, the true stars of OP are up to inspiring things!
Yejide Rodriguez '24
My name is Yejide Rodriguez, and I am from Dayton, Ohio. My mom is Yoruba, from Nigeria, and my dad is Dominican, from the Bronx. I went to a college-preparatory high school called "DECA," or The Dayton Early College Academy. Upon learning about the Opportunity Program and Kettering Scholarship, I felt like it was something I wanted to do. I applied to 11 other schools, but I felt like being a part of the Opportunity Program at Skidmore was a once in a lifetime opportunity that I had to take.
While I faced more twists and turns than I could have anticipated, I am so grateful for my journey here. I got to tend to my never-ending list of interests. I took classes in English, philosophy, chemistry, biology, American studies and Black feminism, Spanish and Latin studies, art and art administration. With my wide range of interests, many people are surprised I am a math major.
Math is interesting to me because while it appears to be strict and concrete — which it certainly can be — as a math major, I also understand math to be a language that lies in the underbelly of many larger systems and occurrences. I also really enjoy English and literature/critical reading. I think language and writing is so powerful, so I became a writing tutor at the Writing Center. I have enjoyed tutoring my peers on their writing in the past, so I thought doing it as an on-campus job would be fruitful.
Besides being a writing tutor, I am also a creative. I enjoy photography, sewing, drawing, natural hairstyling, hair dying, makeup, face painting, doing my own cosplay, and drawing. Besides my creative hobbies, I enjoy roller-skating, relaxing, and hanging out with my friends and partner. On campus, I really enjoy being a part of multicultural clubs (specifically the ones relevant to my heritage), clubs that have free food events, and clubs that involve art (especially AHA, Ujima, BSU, Raices, Cooking club, and Art Circle).
Speaking of cultures, I spent last semester abroad in Cali, Colombia, where I studied the Spanish language, concepts of race and colonialism, and Black cultures in Colombia — all topics that were right up my alley. I was so grateful for the experience, and I almost did not want to leave.
In terms of my future career, I hope to start transformative community work in my hometown, and I have a lot of interest in transforming the public school system. Ultimately, I want to make the world a better place for our youth. I feel like the public school system is a good place to start, but I think I could pivot from this angle and potentially focus on social services.
Yury Leonardo '25
My name is Yury Leonardo. I was born in the Dominican Republic but currently live in Cleveland, Ohio. I am the president of the Latinx club, Raíces, this semester. I am a first-generation student majoring in mathematics and minoring in studio art.
Although art is my minor, I have a lot of art-related hobbies. I like to draw digitally, paint, and crochet — if it’s a hands-on project, best believe I will at least try it. When it comes to what I will do as a career, I am not sure. I mainly have my eyes on accounting as my career choice. I am also looking at internships with Engineering programs to see if it piques my interest more, but given the infinite avenues I could pursue with a mathematics degree, this might change in the future.
Ivory Gipson '25
I'm Ivory Gipson, a first-generation college student from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, born and raised. My desire to gain new experiences and perspectives landed me here at Skidmore, and since my first day, it has been nothing short of great.
I'm very interested in history, specifically Black history. I am also interested in music, poetry, sports, and film. I'm a very social and active person, and I enjoy using my free time to hang out with friends, play basketball in the gym, or do anything outdoors.
I'm a business major with a minor in sociology. Upon graduating, I plan to dive into the marketing field of business, with specific focus on research. . Aside from that, I'm an active member of UJIMA, where I've been a member since my first year and on the e-board for the second year in a row. Also, I've been a member of the club basketball team since my first year.
Jasiri Reyes Minaya '26
My name is Jasiri and I am a sophomore. I plan on majoring in social work and minoring in business. This summer, I gained valuable experience through the Rome travel seminar and the Summer Experience Fund.
I was fortunate enough to enjoy Rome for three weeks with my class. Amongst other things, I conducted research on St. Peter’s Square and presented on-site for my classmates and professors. It was a surreal experience to physically explore the place I'd done research on for months. I got to experience the past through artwork and archeological remains, appreciate a beautiful culture, try amazing food, and bond with my classmates.
Additionally, I am thankful to have received further Summer Experience Fund support, enabling me to live in California for two months after Rome. I was a part of Stanford’s summer session and worked as a teacher’s assistant at Family Connections Centers in San Francisco. I worked with children full-time during their summer program, and, once their school year started in August, I assisted in the after-school program, "Homework Club."
In these roles, I helped teachers run the classroom on a regular basis, helping with setup, cleanup, and kid-friendly activities. I also aided teachers in maintaining oversight of kids to protect their safety in the classroom, on the playground, and during field trips. Lastly, I facilitated the clean and organized administration of classroom supplies, equipment, and materials. I am thankful for these experiences and can’t wait for next summer.
Chime Yangtso '27
My name is Chime, and I’m a first-year student at Skidmore. Growing up as a Tibetan in India, many people don’t care about hobbies. Often, there was an expectation for us students to follow a set routine and do what we were told to do. I rarely thought outside of the box and never questioned anything. So, imagine my surprise after moving here when I saw people being creative, asking questions, and expressing themselves in unique ways.
I was even more shocked when people asked me about my interests. When that happened, I had nothing to say. So my answer was an awkward “I like to read and dance.” Finding out that I don’t have a lot of interests was a bitter realization, and ever since then, a simple “what are your hobbies?” made me want to avoid the conversation altogether. It was a difficult actualization when I decided that I wouldn’t live that way anymore.
Although it is liberating to now be able to express myself and think outside of the box, it is also hard. But I have learned to be more gentle and kind to myself during this process. Now that I am slowly learning how to enjoy life, I am excited to start a new chapter at Skidmore and have the luxury of time to explore my interests and widen the spectrum of my knowledge.
Milton Gramajo '27
My name is Milton Gramajo, and I was born in the state of Chiapas, Mexico. I moved to the U.S. with my mom when I was 14 years old and am currently living in Cincinnati, Ohio. I attended Aiken High School in Cincinnati, where I was part of the English-Language Learners (ELL) Program for my first two years. Along with enhancing my English communication abilities, this program gave me access to a variety of opportunities that contributed to my academic development. The ELL staff of teachers and counselors at Aiken assisted me in the process of getting admitted to the Opportunity Program at Skidmore College.
I enjoy playing chess, watching anime, watching baseball, and playing soccer with my friends in my free time. At Skidmore, I plan to join the chess club — I also want to keep playing soccer for enjoyment.
I plan on majoring in political science and business with hopes of someday establishing my own non-profit organization, providing the immigrant Latino or Hispanic communities with more access to opportunities, supporting them to overcome the social injustices and obstacles emplaced by the U.S. government.
OP Staff Updates
The OP Office continues to thrive and grow! Get caught up with staff happenings — and a new addition to the team.
Kelli Rouse, director, has spent the last two semesters focused on working one-on-one with OP students, specifically those interested in the health professions, due to the office’s recent staffing changes. Kelli expresses how excited she was to celebrate the 50th reunion of the first OP graduates in June. This fall, Kelli and others on the OP staff are busy writing the 2024-2029 Request for Proposal (RFP) to ensure another five years of holistic support to our scholars.
Travis Strattion, assistant director for student outreach, joined OP in March of 2023, marking an exciting new chapter in his career. He eagerly looked forward to the opportunity, and now he’s been thrilled to work with a program that aligns perfectly with his values. Travis has been particularly excited about being part of an initiative that paves the way for students from diverse backgrounds to access higher education. Travis’ experience, dedication, and passion makes him a valuable asset to the program, and he is poised to make a significant impact on the educational journey of countless students.
Adam Evans, learning associate for humanities/social sciences, kept busy with teaching and tutoring as he celebrated his 5th anniversary of joining OP! He can’t believe time has flown by so fast. He had a great Summer Academic Institute (SAI) and got the chance to work with a really wonderful group of students in his writing course. Outside the office, he’s spent the summer traveling and throughout the Northeast with his family, including some awesome fishing trips to New Hampshire, Maine, and the Catskills. For the semester ahead, he’s looking forward to getting back into the classroom and adding some new tweaks to his fall courses.
Devin Madkin, administrative assistant, celebrated her 6th year working for OP. She continued to maintain the everyday responsibilities, financial responsibilities, marketing, and social media. During the spring semester, she helped plan the summer program, organized the senior celebration for our graduating class, and helped organize programs. In the beginning of the summer, she prepared the office for the summer program, buying supplies for students and SAI staff. She booked all the weekend trips and transportation for SAI and made sure everyone had what they needed on those trips. When Devin wasn’t in the office, she was spending time with family and friends, going to concerts, and traveling to the surrounding states.
Meghan Navarro, coordinator of student success and retention, is continuing to do what she loves in advising the majority of the OP scholars. Last spring, she held her first Sophomore Major Declaration Party, which was a fun way to acknowledge and celebrate this important milestone for students. Another program highlight was a 1st Generation Networking event coordinated with the Career Development Center. This summer during SAI, Meghan helped coordinate a Resource Fair with over 10 resources on campus for our incoming students, which was a huge success for both the students and staff who attended. It is an event we plan to continue in future summers! Meghan is coordinating the OP Mentoring Program, which is a small but mighty group with eight mentees and seven mentors. An additional role Meghan has taken on is overseeing a new position within the office, an OP Scholars Leader. This is a senior student who is assisting with the Academic Transformations course, the OP Mentoring Program, and additional first year programming. Meghan is teaching Academic Transformations alone this year, so it is nice to have this student position to help support, who will add value to the experience for all by sharing their own personal experience at Skidmore and in OP. Personally, Meghan had a wonderful time in Italy in May, and she is continuing her international travel with a trip to Ireland and London in November!
Alumni News
OP Alumni, please reach out! We want to hear from you!
Alumni Interest Form
The Opportunity Program is excited to have our alumni connect with current students, and there are multiple ways to get involved. Please check out our Alumni Interest Form to complete a short survey regarding ways you might be interested in engaging current OP students.
Alumni Engagement Network
As always, we continue to build our LinkedIn network to connect Skidmore OP students, alumni, and staff. If you’re on LinkedIn, please join the group and get connected!
