Empire State University Adds Two New Opportunity Programs

(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – September 12, 2023) Empire State University is welcoming the inaugural cohorts of two new opportunity programs this fall: Presidential Scholars and the Military and Veteran Opportunity Program. These programs bring the total count of the university’s opportunity programs to eight. 

Empire State University President Lisa Vollendorf announced the addition of these two programs at her inauguration in March 2023.  

"Our Military Opportunity Program and Presidential Scholars Program build on the success of our existing programs,” said President Vollendorf. “These new initiatives serve people too often left behind by traditional student success efforts by providing vital support to help them overcome educational barriers and achieve their academic and career goals." 

Modeled after the Empire Promise Program, which offers first-time freshmen, continuing students, and transfer students enhanced academic support services and mentoring/coaching, the new programs are institutionally funded and do not require students to submit an extra application. Instead, eligible students who may benefit from additional support are identified by the institution. They are then offered a spot in the program and can choose to opt in or out. 

All of Empire State University’s opportunity programs focus on building student supports, which Senior Director of Enrichment and Opportunity Programs Dana Brown says is the most critical component of a successful opportunity program. 

“If you provide someone with support, encouragement, a network, a village – that's what gets them to persist,” Brown said. “I want to change the culture of higher education, because too much emphasis is put on students knowing how to navigate. Opportunity programs help students stay connected so they feel grounded at SUNY Empire.”  

This support comes in a variety of different ways, both tangible and intangible, including resources for basic needs, the laptop loaner program, special programming, mentorship and coaching, and enhanced academic support. 

“It’s holistic support,” said Nicholas Mendez, assistant director of the Empire Promise Program. “Some students need to be encouraged to realize, OK, I do have the confidence to get to the next step to navigate to the next term.” 

Presidential Scholars 

Founded by SUNY Empire’s Foundation Board, this program offers students transferring with an associate degree a $1,000 recruitment and retention scholarship annually for up to four years. It also features built-in monthly programming focused on showing the many pathways to advancing one’s career. The programming will be facilitated by SUNY Empire leadership. 

“Our administrators will tell their stories about how they came to be leaders in this organization and what leadership means to them,” Brown said. 

Gianna Armstrong, a member of the first cohort of Presidential Scholars, is working to earn her bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2024. 

“I've been in leadership positions before for school, but I think being in this program is going to allow me to speak to a lot of people who have been in the same position as me, and who have worked through it, grew from it, and became a leader themselves,” Armstrong said. “I want to gain confidence academically, socially, and overall, confidence in my future, and with the support I've received so far, I've already started to gain that confidence.” 

This semester’s cohort of Presidential Scholars has hit its full capacity of 25 students. 

Military and Veteran Opportunity Program 

As the largest-serving, four-year military-affiliated institution in New York, Empire State University is committed to supporting our military members and their families. The Military and Veteran Opportunity Program (MVOP) offers the same expanded resources as the SUNY Empire Promise Program, with academic wraparound support and monthly programming covering topics like transitioning to civilian life and GI bill benefits. Additionally, the program provides military specific mentoring. The Office of Opportunity Programs is working closely with the Office of Veteran and Military Education (OVME) to best support the needs of active duty, guard, reserve, veteran members along with their spouses and child dependents. 

“I am thrilled with the launch of the new MVOP program. The academic support services offered by MVOP in addition to the student services that OVME already provides offers an amazing opportunity for our military-affiliated students,” Director of Veteran and Military Education Desiree Drindak said. 

This semester’s Military and Veteran Opportunity Program cohort includes 25 students. The program will expand this cohort during the spring 2024 term. 

For more information, email OPApply@SUNYEmpire.edu or military.programs@SUNYEmpire.edu. 

Opportunity programs at Empire State University began in 2019 with the Empire State Opportunity Program (ESOP) and have expanded to include the SUNY Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), the Empire Promise Program (EPP), and other initiatives like SUNY’s Foster Youth College Success Initiative (FYCSI), the Fortified Classroom, and the My Brother’s Keeper Teacher Opportunity Corps (TOC). The breadth of programs ensure SUNY Empire meets the needs of a wide range of underserved student populations. 

Mendez believes these programs are vital to student success. 

“They breed student leaders – that's the short version of it,” he said. “I am a product of opportunity programs, so I know how much they can impact a student’s academic journey. They’ve left an indelible impact on mine, which is part of the reason I aspired to be an advisor.”  

Learn more about Opportunity Programs at Empire State University.