For Mary Kwofie, news of winning SUNY's Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) Norman R. McConney Jr. Award for Student Excellence was an emotional moment.

“I was actually crying,” recalled Kwofie, a senior wellness management major at SUNY Oswego. “I was so overcome with joy.”

The award, which recognizes student excellence while overcoming obstacles, reflects how Kwofie has navigated challenges, thanks to the support of EOP.

“I just love EOP overall,” Kwofie said. “I became the EOP Ambassador for Oswego in the fall. I really just want to put in the effort needed to help others.”

Kwofie was also an EOP peer leader at Onondaga Community College before transferring to SUNY Oswego and continuing in that role. The beauty of Lake Ontario and the opportunities at Oswego were initial motivators but starting at the campus confirmed it was the right choice. 

“As soon as I got here, this exceeded my expectations,” Kwofie said. “It’s a community. I feel like I belong here.”

The road to this award has been a long journey for Kwofie, who came to the U.S. at age 14 from Accra, Ghana. Adjusting to a new country and becoming a first-generation student so far from home led to financial and academic challenges.

Kwofie initially resisted asking for help, which led to difficulties that included being placed on academic probation for low grades. However, working with counselors and taking the free help of the Tutoring Center put Kwofie on a path toward success.

‘Unwavering persistence’

Joey Tse, director of Oswego’s EOP, credited Kwofie’s “unwavering persistence” toward academic success. “The financial and personal hardships initially impacted Mary's academic success, but she did not give up,” Tse noted in the nomination letter for the award.

Tse described Kwofie as a quiet, humble leader who helps so many others and has worked hard and shown commitment on the path to becoming a Deans’ List student who is very involved on campus.

“Not many students have shown their ability to lead and inspire at two different EOP programs during their undergraduate career all while pushing through incredibly challenging and difficult circumstances to meet their goal,” Tse wrote. 

EOP advice led Kwofie to the wellness management major to draw on the desire to help others. Grace Maxon-Clarke, then an EOP advisor and now an associate dean of students, recommended that Kwofie explore the program.

“I took classes from Michael Mullen, and it made me want to stay in the major,” Kwofie said. “I loved how they talked about emotional wellness. I wanted to learn more to help give others a chance.”

In addition to serving as a leader and ambassador for EOP, Kwofie is active with the African Student Association and serves as a dance captain for its affiliated team, Tempo.

“EOP is such an amazing program,” Kwofie said. “If anybody has a chance to get into it, they absolutely should. They give us a stipend of $500 for textbooks, and they provide a laptop for you if you need it. You have counselors who can break things down if you need help.”

Now, Kwofie is happy to shine as an example of what the program makes possible, speaking on panels for EOP conferences, attending statewide events and letting current and future students know about the program’s benefits.

“It’s such a wonderful program, so much so that I want to become an EOP counselor after graduate school,” Kwofie said.

About the award

The SUNY Board of Trustees and Chancellor John B. King Jr. recognized the achievements of 50 students across the state with this award at a March 13 ceremony in Albany. 

The honor is named in memory of Norman R. McConney Jr. (1946–2016), a graduate of the University at Albany and former assistant dean for special programs at SUNY. McConney, alongside former Assembly Deputy Speaker Arthur O. Eve, helped create the EOP as a statewide program.  

“I am constantly reminded of the profound impact SUNY’s Educational Opportunity Program has had on countless lives. The stories, triumphs and unwavering determination of SUNY’s EOP students serve as beacons of hope and inspiration for future generations of students,” Chancellor King said. “At SUNY, we are immensely grateful for the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the Legislature who continue to support this transformative program that ensures students not only start but have the support to complete their degrees.”  

Since its inception in 1967, the EOP has supported social mobility by providing access, academic support and supplemental financial assistance to students from disadvantaged backgrounds, many of whom are the first in their families to attend college. In its 58-year history, the EOP has served more than 85,000 students and evolved into one of the country's most successful college access programs.