Asia Thompson arrived at New Paltz as a shy, reserved first-year student, but will graduate from the college next year ready to take on the world.

She credits the college’s Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) with providing her with the guidance she needed to succeed.

“They are like a huge, extended family that looks out for me while I’m here,” she said.

Asia said her advisors continue to provide her with guidance, such as what classes she needs to take for her major – interpersonal and intercultural communication. Her advisors, who she often refers to as her “aunts and uncles,” also make themselves available to her when she just needs to talk about what is going on in her life.

 “I don’t know where I would be without EOP,” she said.

With this solid foundation, Asia has begun to feel more confident, and now she seeks out ways to practice raising her voice – whether it is asking questions in a class in conflict resolution or singing for the First World graduation ceremony. Now a senior in college, Asia also helps other students make the transition to college as a mentor for the Boys to Men program, which brings high school students to campuses like New Paltz.

“Everything I have learned at New Paltz has taught me how to reach out to people,” she said.

Throughout her time at New Paltz, Asia has also been involved with programs like Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, National Pan-Hellenic Council and Envied Fashions, a fashion group on campus that designs and showcases its clothes. She says even though she has scaled back on how many groups she belongs to, she doesn’t regret the experiences.

“Once you get involved, it helps you grow as a person,” she said.

Asia has grown, indeed. This fall, she will leave her extended New Paltz family behind for the semester to study abroad at Kingston University in London.