Program History

In 1968, the idea of the “Education Opportunity Program,” was born. It was the brainchild of mathematics professor George Wyer. Wyler’s presented his proposal to the administration, and it was approved on a trial basis by Central’s faculty. The first EOP class met in the summer of 1969, with thirty-one students and all thirty-one students completed the program. The success of that first class convinced the administration that EOP deserved continued support and funding was provided to hire additional staff, and to extend EOP activities beyond the summer to the regular academic year.

In the summer of 1970, after George’s decision to leave EOP, Charles “CJ” Jones known to many as the Father of EOP would become the first full time director in fall of 1970. CJ would remain in this role for twenty-five years. As CJ prepared to assume his new position as Athletic Director, after twenty-five years, word was received that the ConnCAP grant application had been approved. Central would now house, EOP, ConnCAP, and Upward Bound. CJ’s assistant, Meg Leake would become the director of the newly named Educational Support Services Department under which all three programs was housed.

Meg built upon the trends, at that time, that suggested students learn better if they are taught according to their “learning styles”. The twelve years Meg spent working with the Educational Support Services laid the groundwork for the creation of The Learning Center at Central, where she would become the director. Michael Ansarra, former assistant director of Admission, would also serve as Director for one year. After which in 2000, Awilda Reasco was passed the torched and would become the director of Educational Support Services (previously called Pre-Collegiate & Access Services). In Spring of 2022, EOP would move under what is now called Central Access Success & Academics (CASA) and is led by Jessica Hernandez.

The rich legacy and traditions of EOP continues and Central’s Education Opportunity Program (EOP) continues to serve students and is the longest running program of its kind in the State of Connecticut.