Celebrating 50 Years of Opportunity

Utica Community
Utica Stories
Celebrating 50 Years of Opportunity

In her 2018 convocation address, Zully Ramirez ’09 attributed her professional success as a broadcast journalist to her UC education—and the Higher Education Opportunity Program that “made it all possible.”

“Without the HEOP program, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” said Ramirez, an investigative consumer reporter for Telemundo Chicago. “I still feel grateful.”

Ramirez is one of thousands of success stories produced by HEOP, which celebrates its 50th anniversary at UC this year. Funded by New York State in partnership with Utica College, HEOP provides academic and economic help to college students “who might not otherwise have the chance to succeed,” says John Ossowski, UC’s Director of Opportunity Programs.

Like Ramirez, many HEOP students are the first in their families to attend college and need additional guidance and support along the way.

“We help with everything from learning how to develop study skills to creating a budget to choosing a major,” Ossowski says. Today, there are 63 HEOP students enrolled at UC, and like Ramirez, many go on to successful careers.

“For these students, college wasn’t a given,” says Ossowski. “They recognize the value in being here and want to make the most of it, for themselves, their families, and their communities.”