EAOP Alumni Profiles
EAOP targets low-income students attending some of the state's most challenged schools and puts them on track to a college education. EAOP empowers students to envision themselves succeeding in college and guides families with no history of college-going in navigating college options and the complex application process.
EAOP graduates attend all the UC campuses, including UCLA and UC Berkeley. Two of the top private school destinations are USC and Stanford.
EAOP alumni succeed in fields including engineering, politics, law, science, education, medicine, architecture, and business.
To read more about a student's EAOP experience, select a photo below.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||
| Are you an EAOP alumnus interested in being profiled here? If so, please send an email message with your name and contact information to eaop@ucop.edu. | ||||||
Dr. Claudia Canizales Aguilar
Graduating Class
UC Berkeley, Class of 2001
Major: Social Welfare, Minor in Education
Other Education
Masters in Counseling Psychology & PPS Credential, University of San Francisco, 2003
Doctorate in Education, University of San Francisco, 2007
High School
Mt. Eden (Hayward),
Class of 1996
Current Position
Director of Counselor Education, UC Berkeley Center for Educational Partnerships
I always recall the EAOP slogan that was printed on all our folders, "EAOP, where preparation meets opportunity." I truly internalized this slogan and trusted that as long as I remained focused on my academic goals, tried my hardest in school, and followed the guidance of Liz Chavez (my EAOP counselor from 8th - 12th grade), my hard work would be recognized by admittance to a competitive 4-year college.
I participated in every EAOP activity I was invited to. One of the first activities I participated in were EAOP lunch and after school meetings. During these meeting I met with my EAOP counselor to discuss my 4-year academic plan, summer enrichment opportunities, financial aid, and the college application process. These small group meetings helped provide us with valuable information and helped motivate us to continue to challenge ourselves academically.
During high school I participated in the summer Pre-College Academy (PCA) for two summers. During this intense six-week program I experienced taking courses at UC Berkeley with other Bay Area college-bound students. This fact alone served to help us visualize ourselves as college students and encouraged me to strive to attend UC Berkeley after high school. In addition, PCA challenged me academically in a manner I had never been challenge in high school. PCA instructors were not only demanding, but caring and compassionate.
The main obstacle I had to overcome to attend college was the fact that as the oldest sibling and cousin in my family, and had no immediate family members who could guide me along the road to college. I was the first to attend a 4-year university in the United States. While my dad completed college in Nicaragua and my mother attended some college, neither one of them was familiar with the college system in this country. As such, they could not provide us with the college knowledge necessary to prepare and enroll in a 4-year college after high school.
Because my parents expected us to go to college and encouraged me to do well in school and attend college, I am certain that without EAOP I would have probably attended college. However, I am also certain that without EAOP I would not have been accepted to colleges like UCLA and UC Berkeley. EAOP demystified to concept of college for me. Prior to my participation with EAOP I had never visited a college campus, let alone taken course at one.
EAOP gave me the confidence and guidance necessary to not only become college bound, but to become a competitive college applicant. The confidence and support I received from my EAOP counselor continued to help me as I researched, applied, enrolled, and completed both my masters and doctoral degrees.
I was accepted to every single college I applied to. My top two choices were UCLA and UC Berkeley. In retrospect, I can say that I chose to attend UC Berkeley for two reasons. First, I chose UCB for geographical reasons, although I lived on campus, I felt secure being close to my family in Hayward. Secondly, I chose UCB because I felt comfortable there. Having attend PCA for two summers at UCB, I was familiar with the campus and felt like I had an advantage over freshmen students who prior to orientation, had never stepped foot on campus.
In addition to helping me gain the confidence necessary to believe that not only did I belong at a campus like UC Berkeley, EAOP and my EAOP counselor helped me believe that with guidance, persistence, and focus, I could succeed. Once I got to Berkeley, despite how difficult college proved to be, I knew that failure was not an option. I sought out resources, tutoring, and continued to check in with my EAOP counselor.
In addition, EAOP provided me with a network of EAOP alum who supported me academically, personally, and socially. The same year that I enrolled at UC Berkeley, approximately five other active EAOP students from my high school enrolled with me. This network/community was invaluable as I transitioned from high school to college.
Throughout college, I worked as a peer mentor at the UCB EAOP office. During my time there I facilitated college workshops at several high schools in Hayward, co-coordinated the Summer Cubs Academy for middle school students in Hayward, and assisted during several Pre-College Academy summers. In addition, since graduating from high school, I have participated in several EAOP alum panels for both student and parent audience.
For middle school students who are considering joining EAOP and current EAOP students I say, there are thousands of students who are competing for your spot in college, EAOP will provide you with an additional advantage and continuous support. Looking back over my educational experiences, I can honestly say that along with the support I received from my parents, EAOP was fundamental in helping me achieve academic, career, and personal success.
Thank you Liz Chavez!