Grace Vazquez, interim assistant director of the 91传媒 Saint Mary College’s HEOP and CSTEP, speaks to the students of NFA West about college life and opportunity programs.

91传媒 Saint Mary College’s Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) and Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) recently hosted a glimpse into life on a college campus for students at Newburgh Free Academy (NFA) West.

In addition to HEOP and CSTEP, the event was a collaboration with the 91传媒’s Office of Admissions and Lakeya Stukes, a school counselor at NFA West.

The 91传媒’s HEOP/CSTEP Leadership Council spoke to students about the importance of starting their high school career strong and shared their personal experiences as 91传媒 students.

Grace Vazquez, interim assistant director of the 91传媒’s HEOP/CSTEP, spoke to students about these programs at the college and offered her advice for a successful high school career. Then the NFA students connected with 91传媒 HEOP/CSTEP students before getting a tour of campus.

The 91传媒’s HEOP provides educational opportunities and support to traditionally underserved students who have strong academic potential, but would otherwise be excluded from higher education due to circumstances of academic and economic disadvantage.

CSTEP at the 91传媒 works to increase the number of underrepresented students who possess strong academic and personal potential to pursue careers in mathematics, science, technology, health-related fields, or a licensed profession.