Winter 2019 Opportunity Program Newsletter
Greetings, OP Family!
Another semester of fantastic work is wrapping up for Skidmore’s OP students, and
we have tons of exciting news to report. The OP office’s schedule has been packed
with academic, counseling, and recreational events to continue our mission of providing
support to every aspect of the student experience. We’ve got a great new group with
the Class of 2022, and, as always, we’ve been expanding our programming and staff
to keep up with the ever- changing needs of academic life.
Our current OP students are as engaged and energetic as ever and are living up to
the great precedent set by previous class years. In total during the fall semester,
we held 26 events with amazing overall attendance of more than 350 students. Among
our many mentoring and support events, students have had the opportunity to participate
in public speaking workshops, LinkedIn profile and resume writing sessions, an Etiquette
Dinner, and a First Fridays series in partnership with the Counseling Center that
focuses on various aspects of campus life. Students have also been enthusiastic about
our themed OP Lunch series, where discussions and guest speakers have touched on topics
such as “Rock the Vote”, “Meet the Faculty”, and “Ask the Director”. We’ve been using
these platforms to maintain a lively discussion of the academic, professional, and
social concerns of students.
In general, the engagement of our students is a clear marker of OP’s success on and
off campus. Graduation rates of OP classes during the last few years have been consistently
at or very near 100%, clearly reflecting the passion and dedication of our students
and ranking exceptionally in regards to Skidmore’s general student body. On top of
academic success, our students are doing impressive work all across campus to shape
Skidmore culture. Four OP students, including two first-years, are participating in
the Student Government Association. We also have members from all class years very
actively engaged in student clubs ranging from Ujima and Raí ces to Rowing and Polo.
Beyond campus, we have 14 students studying abroad in the spring semester. Folks will
be branching out to live and learn all around the globe, from all across Europe to
Indonesia to New Zealand! These ambassadors will be spreading the values of OP far
and wide, and we can’t wait to hear about the wonderful things they’ll accomplish.
We’re looking forward to another great year!
Staff News
Kelli Johnson, Director, and Meghan Carpentier, Coordinator of Student Success and Retention, had an awesome time at the National
Conference on Race and Ethnicity (NCORE) back in May. Major themes of the presenters
and workshops included intersectionality and identities, race and social justice in
higher education, and supporting student and staff mental health. The conference also
presented a unique opportunity to make connections with a wide range of participants
from outside higher education, including staff from state agencies. They participated
in many productive discussions on programming and had a blast in New Orleans!
Meghan also celebrates her one year anniversary with Skidmore OP in January! In such
a short time, she’s already established herself as a cornerstone of the office and
cultivated meaningful relationships with so many students.
Adam Evans is the OP’s new Learning Associate for Humanities and Social Sciences. Adam comes
to Skidmore from East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania, where he taught writing
and literature. Adam earned his MA from Temple University in Philadelphia, but, prior
to that, he earned his BA from SUNY Albany and grew up in the Lake George area. He’s
very excited both to return to the Adirondacks and to join the OP family.
Eun-sil Lee, Coordinator of Upperclassman Initiatives, has recently participated in presentations
of her work at a number of interesting conferences. She attended the Association for
Death Education and Counseling (ADEC) spring conference in Pittsburgh, PA to present
a paper, “Residential Homes for the Dying: Unique Training in End-of-Life Care”, on
student interns in homes for the dying. In May, she also presented a paper titled
“Framing Advising Approaches and Support for Minority Students in PWIs” at the National
Academic Advising Association (NACADA) Drive-In Conference in Amherst, MA.
Devin Madkin, Administrative Assistant, is busy training a new bunch of student workers to replace
folks studying abroad this spring. As always, she and her team are the welcoming faces
of the OP office. She also lead the OP hike in the fall semester, guiding students
and staff alike up a perilous climb in the High Peaks region.
Aaron Ray, Coordinator of Admissions and Summer Academic Institute, was recently voted in as
a College Delegate for the National Association for College Admissions Counseling
(NACAC) to represent the New York Association for College Admissions Counseling (NYSACAC),
where he is an Executive Board Member. He received a grant from the association to
develop an internal professional mentorship program set to lunch in August of 2019.
Aaron also presented four workshops during the NYSACAC/NACAC Super Conference in June
titled “Partnering to Assist Students with Opportunity Program Admission”, “College
Tour or College Bore? Re-Imagining the Campus Visit for First-Generation Students”,
“Preparing Low Income Students for a PWI”, and “Over Rivers & Through the Woods, to
Rural Communities We Go!”
Aaron and his wife also welcomed their first child, Josephine Vena Ray, into the world
on November 13th, 2018, weighing 7lbs 3oz.
Student Spotlights
OP Events
UPCOMING EVENTS
Literate Earth Project Guest Speaker
Discussion of non-profit educational startups
Financial Planning Workshop - Presentation and discussion of strategies for budgeting and planning for long-term goals
Civics Education Workshop - Presentation and discussion of informed citizenship
As always, summer and fall have been busy seasons for OP with a full schedule of engaging
events. The Summer Academic Institute was its usual smashing success, and with it
OP welcomed an amazing group of students. Along with keeping them busy with summer
courses and programs to familiarize them with campus life, the schedule ensured that
they were having a good time and experiencing the region with trips to Lake George,
Howe Caverns, and other area attractions.
As the fall semester got underway, so too did OP’s full schedule of programs for all
class years. One highlight was the OP Mentoring Initiative, a wonderful event that
connected current students to previous OP scholars. We welcomed back seven OP alumni
to reflect on their time at Skidmore and share their professional experiences: Brez
Sanchez ‘07, Dolores Osei- Binfor ‘06, Gil Rodriguez ‘07, Jose De La Rosa ‘07, Karina
Perez ‘07, Marleny Diaz ‘07, and Sophia Alexandre Ferguson ‘05. The day included a
luncheon where current students and alumni could mingle, a panel presentation in which
alumni discussed and took questions about their experiences at Skidmore and beyond,
and a networking session that opened up space for one-on-one discussions and professional
connections. Moving forward, OP will build on these connections, pairing students
and mentors in order to support long-term professional and academic growth.
Also, with the start of the fall semester came a trip to the Adirondacks to hike Roostercomb
Mountain. Though the leaves weren’t yet changing, OP students and staff spent a clear,
warm day taking in the fresh air and enjoying the beautiful views of Keene Valley.
An enjoyable day - and a great opportunity to learn about the region - was shared
by all, and only minor physical rehabilitation was
needed.
Another weekend trip featured OP partnering with the Theater Department to take students
to Albany’s Capital Repertory Theatre for a performance of The Royale. Marco Ramirez’
retelling of Jack Johnson’s career through the fictional character of Jay “The Sport”
Jackson offered the audience a profound commentary on the challenge of fulfilling
one’s potential in Jim Crow America. The intimate setting of the Rep and the powerful
physical performances left a strong impression on students and staff in attendance.
Afterwards, students were able to meet and talk in-depth with the actors, and a number
came away with valuable professional contacts.
At this semester’s Thoroughbred Society Recognition Ceremony, we were excited that
two OP student athletes were recognized: Brandon Borges ’21, from the hockey team,
and Edvinas Rupkus ‘19, from the basketball team. The Thoroughbred Society honors
varsity athletes who achieve a GPA of 3.67 or higher. Managing a busy athletics schedule
alongside academic is an impressive feat, and we are so proud of the hard work they
put in! OP does it all!
We’re having quite a year so far, and we have much more planned for the winter and
spring!
ALUMNI SURVEY
OP Alumni,
We want to know more about your time in Skidmore OP. As we strive to ensure that we’re
meeting all student needs and offering comprehensive support to everyone involved
in OP, we would appreciate feedback on all of your experiences. What workshops and
events were most valuable to you? What resources did you find absolutely essential?
What additional support do you feel would have been helpful? What really stood out
about OP?
We greatly appreciate if you would take a moment to complete the survey at the link
below and to share your thoughts. Please help us to make the OP experience even better
for future generations!
Click Here For The Survey.