SUNY Delhi Student Honored with Statewide Award

Award recognizes students who have overcome significant obstacles in life to achieve their educational and personal goals

by Riikka Olson

Delhi, NY (10/18/2019) — On Thursday, October 17, SUNY Delhi mechatronics major Rose Suarez was one of 42 students from across New York State to receive the Norman R. McConney Award for EOP Student Excellence. Recognizing students enrolled in the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) who have overcome significant obstacles in life to achieve their educational and personal goals, the award was presented by SUNY Chancellor Kristina M. Johnson. The Honorable Carl. E. Heastie, the Speaker of the New York State Assembly, delivered the keynote address. The award ceremony was held at the SUNY Global Center in New York, NY.

Since 1967, EOP has provided access, academic support, and financial assistance to students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Rose Suarez first learned the news of receiving the award from Louis Reyes, Director of EOP at SUNY Delhi.

"I thought I was in trouble. He looked serious and just slid the paper over to me. I started reading it and grinning so hard," Suarez recalls. "Out of all the worthy students, I didn't think I would get it. I couldn't wait to call my family and share the news."

Growing up in a rough area of Spanish Harlem, Suarez never thought she would be able to get into college, much less win an award for student excellence. Her high school grades were admittedly terrible, and as an LGBT youth, life in her neighborhood was difficult and sometimes dangerous.

Suarez was accepted into SUNY Delhi through the EOP program. She surprised herself with a 3.6 GPA in her first semester.

"I never thought I would do this well. College has been different for me than high school because the stakes are higher. These are not just mandatory classes I'm forced to take. I'm studying for my career goals."

As someone who has always been good with her hands, Suarez has found the mechatronics program to be a great fit for her.

"Mechatronics hits on many different things such as welding, electrical, and design," she says. "I'd never seen inside an electrical box before, and now I know how to wire a small motor. I never pictured myself doing something like this."

One day, Suarez would like to use her degree to work for the MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority) in New York City and help solve the problems of the metro system.

College hasn't been without its challenges. Suarez's initial circle of friends fell apart, and it took her a while to find a new group to belong to. She also started slipping academically. Suarez found herself leaning on her EOP counselors for support.

"The counselors are amazing. They listen and encourage me to keep pushing and not to give up. They remind me that it gets better and I belong here."

Suarez is active outside of the classroom, serving as president of The Computer Club and as a peer educator for Health & Counseling Services. She is also vice president of Upsilon Delta Epsilon, a co-ed Greek organization that she helped revive from just two members to the current roster of seven.

To Suarez, receiving the EOP Student Excellence award is validation that she is on the right path in life.

"It's one of my proudest achievements so far, but I also see it as another stepping stone. I'm not going to stop here. I'll keep working hard and doing more."

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