Trivia

  1. EOP stands for Educational Opportunity Program.  
     
  2. EOP was established by Senate Bill 1072 in April of 1969.
     
  3. There is an Educational Opportunity Program in every California State University. For a total of 22 EOPs.
     
  4. EOP celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2019. See images of CSUN EOP's celebration.
     
  5. EOP celebrated its 55th Anniversary in 2024. See images of CSU EOP's Professional Conference.
55th Anniversary of EOP - CSU EOP Professional Development Conference in Sonoma Staff Photo

  1. Before EOP was founded in the late 1960s, there were only a handful of African-American and Mexican-American students at San Fernando Valley State College, which is now known as California State University, Northridge.
     
  2. EOP was the catalyst for the creation of ethnic studies on campus.
     
  3. EOP was created thanks to the courageous students, faculty and staff who fought for social justice and equality on campus.
     
  4. EOP encourages excellence, promotes equity and empowers historically low-income, educationally disadvantaged students.
     
  5. Common university practices such as peer-advising, mentoring, and tutoring, were first created by EOP.
     
  6. EOP uses innovative student-centered practices to promote student success at CSUN. These practices include: having a community of mentors, following EOP community values of RRAM and holistic and peer-advising. 
     
  7. EOP emphasizes on providing services to historically low-income, educationally disadvantaged students.
     
  8. EOP and the programs it houses (such as Resilient Scholars and Transitional Programs) rely on comprehensive and holistic interventions that maximize student potential.
     
  9. EOP Transitional Programs have developed long-term learning communities for the success of EOP freshmen.
     
  10. CSUN EOP is the only EOP statewide to have multiple transitional experience consisting of Residential Bridge, Commuter Bridge, Transfer Bridge and EOP FreshStart.
     
  11. The EOP Milt & Debbie Valera Resilient Scholars Program was established in 2009. Its mission is to empower foster youth at CSUN and is committed to helping students exiting the foster care system succeed.
     
  12. The Faculty Mentor Program (FMP), housed at the EOP Office (Bayramian Hall 212), is nationally and internationally recognized, the program provides mentor/mentee training through direct mentoring services and programs. 
     
  13. Each college (except College of Education) has a Student Services Center/EOP Satellite, which is partially funded by EOP.
     
  14. The Student Services Center/EOP Satellite was a concept initiated by EOP to ensure that ALL CSUN students receive the baseline, holistic student services needed to remain in school and graduate.
     
  15. Every year, EOP Transitional Programs provides a transitional experience to over 600 incoming students.
     
  16. EOP partners with four ethnic studies departments (Asian American Studies, Central American and Transborder Studies, Chicana/o Studies, and Africana Studies) for classes in our Bridge Programs.
     
  17. The CSUN DREAM Center, which offers resources for undocumented students and members of mixed-status families, was initially supported by EOP.
     
  18. The EOP has two mottos: “Making A Difference” and “Who Are We?!, EOP!”
     
  19. EOP’s colors are BLUE NAVY and GOLD.
  20. In 2007 EOP put in place a “time capsule” at the Ralph Prator Sundial Fountain. It will be opened in 2029, to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Educational Opportunity Programs at California State University, Northridge.
     
  21. The EOP Commemorative Plaque was set in place in 2015 in honor of the courageous students, faculty and staff who fought for social justice and equality on campus. It was made possible by late EOP Director, José Luis Vargas, Professor Glenn Omatsu and the support of the CSUN administration.
  22. In 2017, Shiva Parsa, became Director of The Educational Opportunity Program at CSUN.
      
  23. In 2018, Jina Gonzalez, became EOP's Associate Director.

  1. Residential Bridge alumni, Marquis Williams, wrote a book about his foster care experience and struggles to graduate. The book is titled, “Beating the System: My Life in Foster Care.”  
     
  2. Commuter Bridge student Ashlee Mchenry wrote a poetry book titled, “Her Name Is Flo.”
     
  3. Former Bridge Professor and long-time supporter, Bridget Sampson, wrote a book called “Communications Secrets for Success” and also did a TEDxCSUN Talk. 
     
  4. EOP Bridge alum, David Angeles, was one of the recipients of the 2018 Outstanding Graduating Senior Award.
     
  5. EOP Bridge alumna, Roxxette Zepeda, was one of the recipients of the 2017 Outstanding Graduating Seniors Award.
     
  6. EOP Alumni include: Actor Danny Glover, KCRW DJ Anthony Valadez, Dr. William Watkins (Vice president for Student Affairs CSUN)
     
  7. Sean James, EOP Residential Bridge Alumnus, is now the EOP Director at CSU, Dominguez Hills.
     
  8. Some of our CSUN EOP Alumni working on campus: 
  • Jina Gonzalez – Associate Director, CSUN Educational Opportunity Program
  • Orlando A. Roybal – Associate Director of EOP Programming
  • Marvin Villanueva – Director, College of Humanities Student Services Center/EOP
  • Claudia S. Richarte – Academic Advisor
  • Lesley Barajas – Academic Advisor for College of Humanities Student Services Center/EOP
  • Ernesto Cruz – Senior Lead Academic Advisor - Andrew J. Anagnost College of Engineering and Computer Science SSC/EOP
  • Mike Villalobos – Circulation Services Supervisor/Access Services, CSUN Library 
  • Jesus Flores – Coordinator - EOP Admissions & Partnership Programs
  • Abraham Baeza  – Outreach Coordinator - EOP Admissions & Partnership Programs
  • Rosemary Martinez – Senior Analyst - EOP Admissions & Partnership Programs
  • Armando Leon  – Outreach Assistant - EOP Admissions & Partnership Programs
  • Thomas Kollie – EOP Transitional Programs Assistant
  • Anna Ching  –  EOP Transitional Programs Assistant
  • Jason Lumague – EOP Faculty Liaison
  • Ashley Cano – EOP RSP Program Coordinator - EOP Milt & Debbie Valera Resilient Scholars Program
  • Brigette Zarazua – Transition Assistant - EOP Milt & Debbie Valera Resilient Scholars Program
  • Ramon Muniz – Coordinator, EOP Outreach Efforts (Retired)
  • Monica Turner – Long-time Bridge Programs Faculty & Africana Studies (Retired)
  • Maria Valiton – Former Director, College of Engineering and Computer Science Student Services Center/EOP (Retired)

Know of more EOP Alumni that we should add to this list? Please email us.

  1. José Luis Vargas was born in Mexico City.
     
  2. Mr. Vargas graduated from Belmont High School in Los Angeles, CA.
     
  3. Originally, Mr. Vargas did not expect to attend a 4-year University. His original plans after graduating high school was to get a job and to take a few courses in photography at a local community college. 
     
  4. Mr. Vargas was a guitar player and a photographer.
     
  5. Mr. Vargas’ high school Spanish teacher drove him and a few other of his peers to learn about the first Summer Bridge experience at CSUN, an opportunity that would change his life. 
     
  6. During his undergrad, Mr. Vargas was a research assistant for Dr. Rudy Acuña, who was then developing the curriculum for what would become the Chicana/o Studies Department.
     
  7. Mr. Vargas was a self-trained musician and co-founder of Conjunto Aztlan.
     
  8. Before becoming director of EOP, Mr. Vargas was the director of the Advising Resource Center/EOP.
     
  9. In 1999, José Luis Vargas was a recipient of a Don Dorsey Excellence in Mentoring Award.
     
  10. As EOP Director, Mr. Vargas helped expand EOP. Under his leadership, EOP Transitional Programs became long-term learning communities, he developed several programs and initiatives, such as the EOP Resilient Scholars Program, which provides services to former foster youth. EOP/Trio Student Support Services Program (SSSP) helps students develop skills to reach their academic and professional goals. And the Dream Center offers services for undocumented students. Every program emphasized his vision of mentoring and his commitment to being student-centered.
     
  11. Mr. Vargas also served as Chair of the CSU EOP Directors’ Association and worked closely with the CSU Chancellor’s Office to expand policies relating to EOP.
     
  12. Despite of his busy schedule, Mr. Vargas had an open door policy and always made time when an EOP student wanted to talk to him. 
     
  13. Mr. Vargas co-founded the Statewide EOP Directors Association.
     
  14. Mr. Vargas insisted in making EOP a "student-centered" program.
     
  15. Despite his soft spoken demeanor, Mr. Vargas was a fierce advocate for EOP and its students.
     
  16. Mr. Vargas was honored posthumously for 45 years of service to CSUN.
     
  17. Mr. Vargas enjoyed mixing awkward combinations of foods, one of his famous combinations was cheese cake with salsa and tortillas, oreos with nacho cheese.
     
  18. In 2015, Mr. Vargas with the help of a generous donation from Asian American Studies professor, Glenn Omatsu, created a monument honoring the courageous students, faculty and staff who fought for social justice and equality on campus in the late 1960s. The monument is located at the Ralph Prator Sundial Fountain, west of Bayramian Hall. Mr. Vargas was forever thankful to the students that believed in him and helped him access higher education.

  1. EOP Senior Director, Shiva Parsa, is the creator of the EOP Bridge Values RRAM (Respect, Responsibility, Attitude, Maturity).
  2. Ms. Parsa has served as chair of the EOP Statewide Directors Association.
  3. Ms. Parsa is a CSUN Alumna.
  4. Ms. Parsa implemented a Parent/Guardian workshop in Residential Bridge. The workshop is designed to give an overview of CSUN EOP to student’s family.
  5. Ms. Parsa received a Don Dorsey Excellence in Mentoring Award in Fall 2008.
  6. Ms. Parsa has served at CSUN and EOP for over 3 decades.