‘EOP is a place where you are believed in’: Q&A with Distinguished Student Achievement Award recipient Micaela Nuñez in advance of EOP Honors Convocation

On May 8, the Arthur O. Eve Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) will hold its annual Honors Convocation in the Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall. Special awards will be given to EOP alumni, faculty, staff, and current students, including Micaela Nuñez, the recipient of this year’s Arthur O. Eve Distinguished Student Achievement Award, which is given annually to a native resident of Buffalo or Niagara Falls who exemplifies academic excellence and a commitment to community service proven through strength of character and leadership. 

Nuñez, a double major in special education and childhood education with a concentration in English education, plans to continue her education with a master’s degree in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). She gave us a few moments of her time to reflect on her EOP experience.

What does this recognition mean to you?
I have always worked hard, but during high school, my grades never truly reflected that. Attending a competitive school often left me feeling overlooked. I was frequently told I was a runner-up for awards that recognized qualities such as perseverance, positivity, and excellence, which makes being recognized now all the more meaningful. When I found out I was receiving the Arthur O. Eve Distinguished Student Achievement Award, I cried. It was a powerful moment of validation that reminded me my hard work matters. It feels like everything I’ve poured into my education has come full circle.

How did you become involved with EOP?
I was first introduced to EOP during my senior year of high school. At the time, choosing a college felt overwhelming. However, once I was accepted into Buffalo State through EOP, the decision became much easier. I was drawn to the promise of support and a strong sense of community, which has remained true throughout my time here.

How did EOP help with your transition to Buffalo State?
Before starting my first semester, I participated in the Summer Academy, as all EOP students do. That experience had a huge impact on me; it allowed me to build lasting relationships with professors, connect with other students, and become familiar with the campus. I had been nervous that Buffalo State might feel too big, but that feeling quickly disappeared. On the first day of classes, as I walked across the quad, someone yelled across the lawn, “EOP!” Without hesitation, I shouted back, “We all we got!” That moment gave me an immediate sense of pride and belonging. I still don’t know who it was, but it reminded me that I was part of a supportive and tight-knit community.

How does EOP impact students?
EOP is more than just an academic program; it is a community that offers guidance, support, and encouragement to students who might otherwise be overlooked. It helps students like me grow both personally and academically, while also providing the resources and mentorship needed to succeed. EOP is a place where you are not only supported, but truly believed in. A few years ago, I never would have imagined that graduate school was even a possibility. Now, not only do I believe I can do it, I feel passionate about continuing my education and making a difference. I credit this motivation to the encouragement, resources, and support I’ve received through EOP.

What advice do you have for incoming EOP students?
Embrace everything EOP offers. Attend the workshops, stay in contact with your counselors, ask for help when you need it, and make the most of every opportunity. You will find a network of people who care about your growth and success. Don’t be afraid to open up and build those relationships. EOP is a space where you will be supported, challenged, and reminded that you belong.

Anything else you’d like to add?
I am deeply honored to receive this award and to be recognized alongside so many other hardworking students. I want to especially thank my boyfriend, Jeremy; my mother; Maria Brickhouse; and Erika Mitchell. Their support and belief in me have shaped the person I am today. I am incredibly grateful for their love and guidance, and for everything that EOP continues to pour into my life.

About the Educational Opportunity Program
Since its inception in 1967, EOP has provided access, academic support, and supplemental financial assistance to students from disadvantaged backgrounds, many of them the first in their families to attend college. In its 53-year history, EOP has served more than 75,000 students and evolved into one of the country’s most successful college access programs. In the current academic year, SUNY had more than 10,000 EOP students on 49 SUNY campuses. EOP students often outperform their peers, with 74 percent of them graduating with a baccalaureate degree within six years.

Photo by Jesse Steffan-Colucci, Buffalo State photographer.