2nd floor, Student Resource Building
Telephone: (805) 893-4758
Fax: (805) 893-3656
Executive Director: Pete Villareal
Director : Pete Villarreal
E-Mail : villarreal-p@sa.ucsb.edu
Web Site : http://www.sa.ucsb.edu/eop
Pre-Enrollment Programs.
The Educational Opportunity Program provides undergraduates with
guidance through the admissions and enrollment process. The activities
offered include advising students in the area of Admissions, Housing,
Financial Aid and campus life resources, assisting students with
deadlines, as well as sponsoring a one day spring conference to educate
parents of newly admitted students on issues affecting their son or
daughter.
Summer Transitional Enrichment Program (STEP) is a two-week,
pre-college, summer residential program that provides incoming EOP
freshmen with an in-depth orientation to university life and support
services. All students enroll in a writing, math and/or chemistry
course taught by faculty and graduate students. In addition to academic
courses, students participate in a “Transitions” course that teaches
critical thinking and study skills. STEP is coordinated in
collaboration with the College of Letters and Science, College of
Engineering, Campus Learning Assistance Services, Counseling and Career
Services, Math Achievement Program, Orientation, and the Writing
Program.
EOP Counseling Support Services assist students in clarifying
their academic, career, financial, and personal concerns. Students are
referred to other departmental professionals when necessary. Counselors
are assigned a caseload and work with students individually or in
workshops designed to address student issues throughout the year. The
following are examples of group programming topics: academic advising,
relationship concerns, transfer/re-entry transition issues, and
graduate school and career preparation. These activities are often
co-sponsored with other departments. In addition, staff may serve as
campus-required advisors to one or more student organizations or
pre-professional interest groups.
Cultural Services. EOP celebrates diversity though its African
American, American Indian, Asian American and Chicano/Latino Cultural
Services and cultural centers. Each cultural service and their
affiliated student organizations design programs and events around each
community’s cultural calendar. Cultural programs encourage students to
engage in activities that serve to enrich their academic experience,
and increases their awareness, understanding and appreciation for their
own and other culture(s).
Peer Advisor Program. This is comprised of currently enrolled
UCSB students who are trained to work as a team with EOP Counselors to
assist new frosh, transfer and re-entry students adapt both
academically and socially to the University setting. Peer advisors also
work with continuing students in their preparation for the job market
or graduate/professional school planning activities. They are familiar
with campus life, student organizations and support services and play a
primary role in getting EOP students to utilize EOP and campus
resources.
Academic Mentorships provide students with opportunities to
participate in research projects with faculty. The goal is to increase
the number of students pursuing advanced degrees and selecting academia
as a career option. EOP works closely with the Undergraduate Research
and Creative Activities Office in the College of Letters and Science to
assist students in finding opportunities for research. For more
information, contact Nan Anderson at 893-2319 or at
n-anderson@ltsc.ucsb.edu
Faculty members meet and interact with new frosh during STEP and the
school year. Math department, Writing Program and chemistry faculty
have been participating in examining and providing new academic
services to EOP students in a collaborative environment. We invite you
to utilize our department as a vehicle for interacting with students.