Office of the Secretary of Higher EducationOn April 17, New Jersey Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) programs from 40 colleges and universities across the state gathered for the annual EOF Graduate Achievement Awards Ceremony. This year marked a historic milestone. Nearly 2,000 graduating EOF scholars were recognized for their academic accomplishment of 3.2 GPAs and above, representing the largest graduating cohort honored for achievement in the program’s nearly 60year history.
The ceremony included powerful remarks from Kean University EOF graduate Kalitza Remache, Ocean County College EOF graduate Julia Sobol and state leaders, including Lieutenant Governor Dr. Dale Caldwell, state acting Secretary of Higher Education Margo Chaly, and state Assemblywoman Carmen Morales, who celebrated the community that defines EOF.
Courtesy of Rutgers University
Among this year’s honorees were three students we spoke with about the impact of EOF on their college journey, what this honor means for them, where they’re headed next, and the advice they have for the students coming up behind them. Here’s what they shared.
“Sitting in a packed stadium, I felt a deep sense of gratitude. EOF was my foundation; the summer academy prepared me for success. It allowed me to adapt to a new environment and build the skills necessary for academic success. Through EOF I found my home away from home, the support system I needed, and the counselors who cheered me on and encouraged me to chase opportunities.
Karen, who currently serves as an intern within OSHE, will graduate in May with a degree in Public Service from Rutgers Newark. She tells us that, “When students are given the financial tools and social community their resilience, discipline, and achievement shine through. I am proud to say that I will be graduating with Summa Cum Laude honors ready to continue my professional journey with the lessons I learned throughout my time as an EOF scholar.”
“It was powerful to share a space with so many public servants and listen to their words of wisdom… I was particularly inspired by Assemblywoman Carmen Morales' speech. Her reflections on her own time as a student and the power of education made me privy to my privilege. I was granted access to resources that might not be available to most.
“The success of my life is due to effective policy decisions that have been implemented to support people like me. Throughout my life, I have witnessed the significance of public service, government, and nonprofit organizations; this has significantly contributed to cultivating my passion for public service. Which is why I hope to one day use the power of my education to run for office and elevate my communities.”
“EOF always helps people feel like they belong and makes them feel seen and valued. That’s something I really appreciate from this whole moment.” Speaking about how EOF supported his college journey, Zaa’min said they were always looking to provide him opportunities. “[EOF put] putting me in rooms to expand, grow and talk to different people.
“Whether it was talking to people in charge of the EOF program or [other leaders], they prepared me by presenting opportunities to me and always believing in me and having personal conversations with me. [They] always let me know I have someone to talk to personally, professionally and academically.”
Zaa’min was able to pursue higher education with support from the Newark Guaranteed Education Program and started off as a sports management major with a minor in psychology. He credits his journey to one of his psychology professors who made him feel seen and helped change how he saw his potential.
“You have a lot of potential, even if you don’t see it,” are his words of wisdom to the next generation of students. “Sometimes most people believe in you, more than you believe in yourself. If someone sees something in you, make sure that you take full advantage of that. You want to be able to give your gifts out to the world… get out of your room, get active, try things that don’t necessarily feels like you. You’re going to see so many different versions of yourself throughout college, and you want to be able to apply yourself and use those abilities.”
Zaa’min is now graduating, as a psychology major, from Saint Elizabeth University. He was also part of the first-ever cohort of OSHE Student Mental Health Ambassadors in 2025.
“I didn’t expect to be part of such a big community at my school, and it was something that made my time at Bergen even better. I’ve been able to meet so many different people and even beyond graduating … it’s an ongoing family.”
Estrella is a biology major from Bergen Community College and will continue her education at Rutgers Newark with support from EOF. Her long-term goal is to attend pharmacy school and become a holistic provider focused on promoting health and nutrition first.
“I initially started as a general science major and I didn’t know what I wanted to do… Thanks to my EOF counselor, Ada Castro, she was amazing and gave me the direction, I was able to further my prerequisites for pharmacy school. I wouldn’t have decided to be a bio major if it wasn’t for the guidance of my counselor.”
To future EOF students, Estrella says to get involved. “Being an EOF student isn’t just a title but it’s a part of you, once you’re actually a part of it… being involved with the community and involved with other students and involved with counselors is really what furthered me and pushed me to go forward in my career.”