EOP/AIM Honors Exceptional Students at Annual Awards Ceremony

"This is one of my favorite days of the year, honoring everything you guys do," said Pamela Matzner, director of Educational Opportunity Program/Advancement on Individual Merit (EOP/AIM), as she opened the program's annual awards ceremony.

Held March 12 in the Student Activities Center Ballroom, the 58th annual ceremony celebrated the achievements of Stony Brook University students and honored the academic and community-centered accomplishments within EOP/AIM. The program, founded in 1968, creates access to higher education for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds who demonstrate the potential to succeed in college.

Matzner praised students for their outstanding performance on top of their own leadership roles and obligations.

"Some of you are the first in your family to be here at a school like Stony Brook University," she said. "Yet you have demonstrated resilience, perseverance and determination."

Honoring the program's pillars of academic excellence, moral leadership, civic engagement, integrity, and personal and social responsibility, awards were presented recognizing students at each stage of their undergraduate careers.

Awards were presented to outstanding students from each grade level as well as additional honors, including the Outstanding Transfer Award, EOP Athletics Award and the EOP Ally Award, which was presented to non-EOP students who have shown exceptional support and advocacy for the program.

The Community Service Award celebrated students committed to giving back, and the Student Leadership Award honored students who inspire and support their peers within EOP.

The event recognized students in the Alpha Iota Mu Honor Societyas well as those who made the Fall 2025 Dean's List. Additionally, a remarkable 421 students received the SUNY Office of Opportunity Academic Achievement Award - representing 53 percent of the program - with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

One of the most notable awards of the afternoon was the Norman McConney Jr. Student Excellence Award, a SUNY-wide recognition of a student who consistently excelled academically despite significant obstacles. This year, the award went to Hannah Ramirez.

The ceremony also honored individuals who support EOP's mission. Rachelle Germana, associate provost for undergraduate education, received the Distinguished Advocate Award for her commitment to advancing opportunities for EOP students.

"We don't really train students," Germana said during remarks after receiving the award. "We try to inspire students to be fierce advocates for learning, for education and for their communities."

Two students were awarded the James Nobles Memorial Scholarship, a $2,500 scholarship awarded to an EOP junior or senior who embodies the heart of the program with their leadership and performance - Yamile Joseph and Abbygale Lindsay.

Joseph, an undergraduate majoring in environmental design, policy and planning, was recognized for her leadership in the EOP Summer Academy, where she has served as a residential assistant and mentor to incoming students. She has also worked as a success coach, helping first-year students navigate the transition to college life.

Lindsay, a graduating senior majoring in health science with a concentration in disability studies and human development, currently serves as president of the Educational Opportunity Program Student Association at Stony Brook. She also serves as vice chair of the SUNY-wide EOP Student Council and plans to begin an accelerated nursing program after graduating in May.

Matzner closed the event with a reflection of the strength and support within the EOP community, "your potential is always limitless," she told the students.

Other students awarded at the ceremony included:

EOP Outstanding Ally Award: Matt Charcon, Raine Wu

Student Leadership Award: Zachary Adams, Denisse Cortorreal, Deniree Colon, Nicole Feng, Jayden Hoff Isabell, Kejin Huang, Reyshawn Jackson, Afsana Jim, Luis Jimenez, Tiffany Jimenez, Yamile Joseph, Kane Awa, Krishith Kuturu, Abbygale Lindsay, Nowshin Shairey, Shania Squires, Angel Testamark-Hughes, Alex Wu He

Community Service Award: Ehan Azad, Breanna Alterescu, Sebastian Adams, Osasikianua Amene, Veronica Castano, Samantha Fernandez, Awa Kane, Justin Manoo, Samuel Timaran

Athletics Award: Breanna Alterescu, Yamile Joseph

Outstanding Transfer Award: Mark Jenkins, David Myers, David Ramos, Yverson Saint Vil

Outstanding Senior Award: Zachary Adams, Denisse Cortorreal, Tiffany Jimenez, Reyshawn Jackson, Jahnice Lett, Wilson Lu, Amene Osasikianua, Nowshin Shairey, Kayla Sher, Shania Squires

Outstanding Junior Award: Sebastian Adams, Madeleine Cherico, Mylai Diallo, Johnny Garcia, Afsana Jim, Mickyle Mitchell

Outstanding Sophomore Award: Kareem Abdelrashid, Ehan Azad, Jerry Gao, Meyhia Harley, Gabriel Hernandez, Jayden Hoff Isabell, Kejin Huang, Awa Kane, Justin Manoo, Kevin Tavarez

Outstanding Freshman Award: Daviana Brown, Krishith Kuturu, Dave Llivicura, Angel Testamark-Hughes

-Lily Miller