Cindy Long and her staff at the UTC Educational Opportunity Center will go to great lengths to help students apply to college. From driving to community centers to holding sessions at local libraries in 11 different counties, Ms. Long and her colleagues are committed to reaching their goal of assisting 1,000 students make their dream of going to college come true.
“The EOC is a free college counseling and coaching service. We typically work with non-traditional students on helping them decide which college is right for them, what they should major in, and how to get funding,” Ms. Long said.
Ms. Long, EOC director, said her favorite part of her job is encouraging people and showing them what’s possible.
“For the adult student who might be apprehensive about going back to school, I tell them that 40 percent of the student population nationwide are adults. It’s not just the 18 to 22-year-olds going to college,” she said.
The center is only 221 people away from their goal. Ms. Long is focused on assisting students from non-traditional backgrounds, including the homeless population, first generation college students, and those who have served in the military.
“We can help a prospective student with everything from the admission process to financial aid to scholarship services," said Ms. Long. "We’re a one-stop shop for anything about college."
The Educational Opportunity Center is funded by the U.S. Department of Education. To learn more, visit the center’s website
here.