SUNY Oswego sophomore public relations major Tatienna Samuels is one of nine inaugural students taking part in a new SUNY Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) career development fellowship.
The new program provides Samuels with a paid placement with Oswego Health’s communications department, led by SUNY Oswego alumna Jamie Leszczynski, senior vice president of communications and chief brand officer. Samuels makes rounds with Leszczynski looking for opportunities to tell the organization’s story while learning about tactics and techniques.
“We lshow the people of the Oswego area that we truly care about them,” Samuels said. “I work on social media posts, work on campaigns and do research to better build our reputation with the community.”
"We hit the jackpot with Tatienna!" Leszczynski said. "She’s a quick learner, engaged already with our health system and motivated to make an impact while she’s here. I’m so impressed that she’s only a second-semester sophomore and already has the drive to be successful in this field."
The EOP office made students aware of the opportunity in the fall, with an application that included an essay on why they would be good for the program.
Samuels made it into the interview phase, admitting to being nervous. “But my sister, who’s 11 years old, said ‘they’re just people’ and that helped,” she recalled.
“I felt so excited,” Samuels said of learning that she would be one of the first fellows. “I felt blessed.”
Back when deciding among schools, Oswego was the only one Samuels visited from the Bronx. “I remember sitting with my mom on the benches facing the sunset,” Samuels recalled. “I knew this is where I wanted to go. I love it here.”
While Samuels knew Oswego was where she belonged, finding the right fit for a major took a while. Currently minoring in arts management and creative writing, Samuels was interested in perhaps working behind the scenes in the music industry. Her EOP advisor, Scott Cunningham, recommended taking a public relations class.
The professor for it was Khairul Islam, and enjoying the class convinced Samuels that PR was the right direction.
“Professor Khairul Islam is the best,” Samuels said. “He gives us so many opportunities. He’s amazing.”
Samuels also offered rave reviews for EOP and Cunningham.
“Our advisors are really here for us,” Samuels said. “They will help us with anything and everything. I also appreciate the financial side. They really help us get through college.”
About the career development program
Announced on Feb. 6, the new EOP career development program builds on SUNY’s vision of providing an internship or other high-quality experiential opportunity for every SUNY student prior to graduation.
“For over 50 years, the SUNY Educational Opportunity Program has been a driving force in student success and upward mobility,” said SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. He added that launching this program “marks another significant milestone in SUNY’s mission to empower our incredible EOP students with the resources they need to thrive. This initiative offers invaluable professional experience with New York State agencies, setting students on a clear path to successful careers, including in public service.”
The initiative connects students with reputable and engaged agencies as they pursue completion of their degree and prepare for the launch of their careers by providing them with real-world professional experience and skill development within a field that aligns both with their academic pursuit and personal interests. The program also offers personalized mentorship, as well as financial support that helps students develop personal budgeting, as well as basic needs support in the event a student has transportation or other accessibility hurdles that would otherwise prevent them from participating in the program. The program is made possible through funding allocated to SUNY by Empire State Development.
For more than 50 years, SUNY EOP has served students, helping more than 85,000 participants graduate from college. EOP also contributes to New York's workforce development, with more than 78 percent of EOP graduates staying in New York to live and work.
Tatienna Samuels was recently welcomed by Oswego Health communications and marketing staff in a fun social media way. (Images courtesy of Oswego Health)