Mount Saint Mary College’s Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) held an alumni panel recently, to discuss a wide range of graduates who have made a difference in the communities they serve. Left to right: Torrance Harvey ’03, City of Newburgh mayor and history teacher at Newburgh Free Academy; Justin Perez ’16, assistant director of Mission Advancement for the Sisters of Presentation; Curtis B. Turner ’89, a professor at SUNY New Paltz, SUNY Ulster, and the Culinary Institute of America (standing); and William Rolon ’95, Principal of Greenburgh Eleven Union Free School District in Dobbs Ferry.
Nine influential alumni from Mount Saint Mary College’s Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) returned to their alma mater recently to reveal the secrets of their success to a new generation of Mount students.
The panel consisted of Torrance Harvey ’03, City of Newburgh mayor and history teacher at Newburgh Free Academy; Justin Perez ’16, assistant director of Mission Advancement for the Sisters of Presentation; William Rolon ’95, Principal of Greenburgh Eleven Union Free School District in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.; Keewana Grant ’09, vice president of Beauty and Wellness at Purple consulting agency; Curtis B. Turner ’89, a professor at SUNY New Paltz, SUNY Ulster, and the Culinary Institute of America; Debra Allison Layland ’77, chief Education Strategist at Academic Development Institute; Kelly De Leon ’22, a graduate school student at Lehman College pursuing a masters in Social Work; Giselle Martinez ’20, Newburgh Councilwoman; and Nirmala Singh ’17, a public service professional, nonprofit leader, and social justice advocate.
Harvey noted that his Mount classes were the key to becoming the excellent communicator he is today. From public speaking class to theatre, it all came together to aid him in his career as a teacher and as the Newburgh mayor.
“I learned interpersonal skills here at the Mount. I thank God for the Mount – this is where it all started,” he said. “You never know what you need to be prepared for and what you’re training for, so stepping outside your comfort zone can only make you stronger.”
The Mount’s HEOP is an academic and student support program geared towards traditionally underserved students. Through mentorship, leadership development, academic programs, and financial support, HEOP students are guided through the college transition process.
The program addresses students’ needs by introducing them to college expectations via a pre-entry summer program; offering academic, career, financial, and career counseling; providing one-on-one and small-group tutoring; offering remedial, developmental, and support services; and more.
Earlier this year, the Mount was awarded a $1.6 million HEOP grant to be used over the course of the next five years.
HEOP is an “integral part of Dominican identity and our dedication to our students and our local community,” said Fr. Gregoire Fluet, Interim President of the Mount. “We all look forward to the wonderful things to come from our future HEOP students."