ALLEGANY, N.Y. – St. Bonaventure University’s Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) has seen 168 graduates during the past 25 years. Sixty students are currently enrolled in the program, and the 2006-2007 academic year has one of the largest freshman HEOP classes in University history.
This semester marks the 25th anniversary of the program which was celebrated the weekend of Sept. 8-9.
HEOP, sponsored by New York state, strives to provide citizens with an opportunity to attend independent colleges and universities within the state. The program is intended for students with both financial and academic needs who normally would not meet St. Bonaventure University’s standard requirements for admission. All HEOP students are provided with financial, academic, personal and support services.
“HEOP has evolved over the years to what we feel is a very comprehensive program,” said HEOP Director Margaret Bryner. “To make sure the students are settled on campus, we do a lot of student activities with them. Our students are also heavily involved with service. Over 71 percent of our students are involved in campus organizations, and a great many of them have leadership roles.”