{"id":101,"date":"2026-07-22T10:23:33","date_gmt":"2026-07-22T14:23:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cms.web.umflint.edu\/eoi\/?page_id=101"},"modified":"2026-07-22T10:42:20","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T14:42:20","slug":"stories","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/eoi\/scholars-program\/stories\/","title":{"rendered":"EOI Stories"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover fb-cover-text-box wp-duotone-black-and-white\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-right:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-left:0;min-height:100%;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-83 size-large\" alt=\"A person walks past a modern building with large glass windows and outdoor seating areas surrounded by trees and flowers.\" src=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/eoi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/81\/2026\/07\/fall-semester-35-1024x683.jpg\" style=\"object-position:50% 30%\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" data-object-position=\"50% 30%\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/eoi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/81\/2026\/07\/fall-semester-35-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/eoi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/81\/2026\/07\/fall-semester-35-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/eoi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/81\/2026\/07\/fall-semester-35-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/eoi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/81\/2026\/07\/fall-semester-35-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/eoi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/81\/2026\/07\/fall-semester-35-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-90 has-background-dim wp-block-cover__gradient-background has-background-gradient has-blue-gradient-gradient-background\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-cover-is-layout-15d3db16 wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-brand-white-color has-text-color has-link-color has-xx-large-font-size wp-elements-71671e17b1ac0f47283594630a315f86\">EOI Stories<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-0e47273b wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\"><nav class=\"is-responsive is-vertical is-style-sidebar is-style-sidebar--1 wp-block-navigation is-layout-flex wp-container-core-navigation-is-layout-bd946717 wp-block-navigation-is-layout-flex\" aria-label=\"Sidebar Navigation\" \n\t\t data-wp-interactive=\"core\/navigation\" data-wp-context='{\"overlayOpenedBy\":{\"click\":false,\"hover\":false,\"focus\":false},\"type\":\"overlay\",\"roleAttribute\":\"\",\"ariaLabel\":\"Menu\"}'><button aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-label=\"Open menu\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-container-open\" \n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.openMenuOnClick\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--keydown=\"actions.handleMenuKeydown\"\n\t\t\t><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M4 7.5h16v1.5H4z\"><\/path><path d=\"M4 15h16v1.5H4z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-container\"  id=\"modal-2\" \n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-class--has-modal-open=\"state.isMenuOpen\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-class--is-menu-open=\"state.isMenuOpen\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-watch=\"callbacks.initMenu\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--keydown=\"actions.handleMenuKeydown\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--focusout=\"actions.handleMenuFocusout\"\n\t\t\t\ttabindex=\"-1\"\n\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-close\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-dialog\" \n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-modal=\"state.ariaModal\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.ariaLabel\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--role=\"state.roleAttribute\"\n\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button aria-label=\"Close menu\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-container-close\" \n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.closeMenuOnClick\"\n\t\t\t><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"m13.06 12 6.47-6.47-1.06-1.06L12 10.94 5.53 4.47 4.47 5.53 10.94 12l-6.47 6.47 1.06 1.06L12 13.06l6.47 6.47 1.06-1.06L13.06 12Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-container-content\" \n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-watch=\"callbacks.focusFirstElement\"\n\t\t\t id=\"modal-2-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"wp-block-navigation__container is-responsive is-vertical is-style-sidebar is-style-sidebar--1 wp-block-navigation\"><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/eoi\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Home<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/eoi\/gear-up\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">GEAR UP<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/eoi\/micup\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Michigan College\/University Partnership<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/eoi\/mpowering-my-success\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Mpowering My Success<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/eoi\/mhead\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Morris Hood Jr. Educator Development Program<\/span><\/a><\/li><li data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;submenuOpenedBy&quot;: { &quot;click&quot;: false, &quot;hover&quot;: false, &quot;focus&quot;: false }, &quot;type&quot;: &quot;submenu&quot;, &quot;modal&quot;: null, &quot;previousFocus&quot;: null }\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/navigation\" data-wp-on--focusout=\"actions.handleMenuFocusout\" data-wp-on--keydown=\"actions.handleMenuKeydown\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.openMenuOnHover\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.closeMenuOnHover\" data-wp-watch=\"callbacks.initMenu\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"wp-block-navigation-item has-child open-on-hover-click wp-block-navigation-submenu\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/eoi\/scholars-program\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">EOI Scholars Program<\/span><\/a><button data-wp-bind--aria-expanded=\"state.isMenuOpen\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.toggleMenuOnClick\" aria-label=\"EOI Scholars Program submenu\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__submenu-icon wp-block-navigation-submenu__toggle\" ><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\" fill=\"none\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M1.50002 4L6.00002 8L10.5 4\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"><\/path><\/svg><\/button><ul data-wp-on--focus=\"actions.openMenuOnFocus\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__submenu-container wp-block-navigation-submenu\"><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/eoi\/scholars-program\/stories\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">EOI Stories<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/eoi\/scholars-program\/history\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">EOI Scholars History<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/eoi\/contact-us\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Contact Us<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:75%\">\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">EOI serves and supports the Flint community.&nbsp; Our office was established to provide pathways to college for individuals who live in Genesee County and attend schools in our region.&nbsp; We have guided many of our neighbors on the path to graduation.&nbsp; Getting a college degree is the goal for students who choose to attend UM-Flint.&nbsp; Graduating shows the achievement of completing the journey.&nbsp; However, there is more to the story.&nbsp; Each and every individual who lives in our community has a story to tell.&nbsp; We would like to get to know you and learn more about your story.&nbsp; Here are some of our stories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-x-large-font-size\">Our community includes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>First-generation college students<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Individuals who live in Genesee County<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Students and families who choose to attend UM-Flint<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many students who attend UM-Flint speak a language in addition to English.&nbsp; We honor and recognize the importance of their native languages, cultures, and stories.&nbsp; Stories are told in a variety of ways \u2013 video, audio, written \u2013 and in different languages.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-brand-white-color has-brand-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-4fe630b52bc1eb4fc7b7e67ef2abae53 has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-963105bf wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-brand-white-color has-text-color has-link-color has-x-large-font-size wp-elements-e4a37ea291596e6cd81b95b02482ae1c\">Life-Changing Education: <strong>Our Stories<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">EOI provides access to education for students who might not otherwise go to college.&nbsp; Opportunity is a pillar of our work.&nbsp; We believe that education can transform lives so we prioritize education by removing barriers along the way.&nbsp; We know that learning can be transformative.&nbsp; You will hear stories that describe access, opportunity, and individuals who have overcome barriers and obstacles.&nbsp; These stories show the possibilities and impact that education can have for students who attend UM-Flint.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-grid wp-container-core-group-is-layout-a4d99a88 wp-block-group-is-layout-grid\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Life-Changing Education: Jos\u00e9 L\u00f3pez\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/3ls2p9oAZ5E?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-large-font-size\" style=\"color:#00274c\">Jos\u00e9 L\u00f3pez<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;S\u00ed me da mucha alegr\u00eda mirar a la comunidad donde yo crec\u00ed y donde corrientemente vivo haciendo cosas buenas&#8221; <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Life-Changing Education: Jason M Lesiewicz\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/-yS52I4qp7A?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-large-font-size\" style=\"color:#00274c\">Jason M Lesiewicz<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Para m\u00ed, una carrera universitaria de cuatro a\u00f1os representa una validaci\u00f3n; me demostr\u00f3 que mis pasadas luchas con la salud mental no defin\u00edan mi capacidad intelectual ni mi futuro.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Life-Changing Education: Paul Fereira\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/JRnmn4xvnpI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-large-font-size\" style=\"color:#00274c\">Paul Fereira<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Mis padres nos dieron todo lo que pudieron y nos ense\u00f1aron que todo lo que recib\u00edamos \u2014ya fuera en abundancia o en escasez\u2014 era siempre algo significativo que deb\u00edamos valorar.&#8221; <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Life-Changing Education: Paulina Rivera\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/1TjCSXmDGtw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-large-font-size\" style=\"color:#00274c\">Paulina Rivera<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;&#8230;La universidad, el colegio no es solamente para tu carrera y para los calificaciones, es tambi\u00e9n para que tienes las oportunidades, los programas, los departamentos, los profesores.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Life-Changing Education: Jes\u00fas Leon-Soto\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/I9cX7wk3xR0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-large-font-size\" style=\"color:#00274c\">Jes\u00fas Leon-Soto<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;&#8230;Yendo al colegio no solamente te ayuda como a a educarte en tu profesi\u00f3n, pero te ayuda como a educarte como una persona y te ayuda como ense\u00f1arte diferentes oportunidades que hay en el mundo.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Life-Changing Education: Pricila Mejia Velasquez\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/V8D0V6ibfYE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-large-font-size\" style=\"color:#00274c\">Pricila Mejia Velasquez<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Los advisors de la carrera, consejeros, o cualquier maestro que est\u00e9 ah\u00ed, como ya tienen esa experiencia, y ya pasaron por un camino que nosotros no hemos recorrido, me he dado cuenta que me ayudan a m\u00ed para que yo pueda seguir avanzando con mi carrera. Ya que a veces en mi carrera voy a seguir teniendo preguntas y van a haber veces que no voy a tener las respuestas correctas, y yo se que ellos siempre van a estar ah\u00ed para apoyarme.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-brand-maize-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-963105bf wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-x-large-font-size\">Life-Changing Education: <strong>Student Athletes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many EOI Scholars were student-athletes in high school or play on a sports team at the University of Michigan-Flint.\u00a0 Athletics can help students build good discipline, develop strong habits, and a team can provide a supportive community.\u00a0 EOI Scholar-Athletes share their stories below.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-grid wp-container-core-group-is-layout-a4d99a88 wp-block-group-is-layout-grid\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Life-Changing Education: David Suarez\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/VeXNQu7isWw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-large-font-size\" style=\"color:#00274c;font-style:normal;font-weight:700\">David Suarez<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>BSW, Social Work (2026)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;[A]dvocating for yourself is very important because if you don&#8217;t advocate for yourself then, I mean, nobody else really will&#8230;&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"EOI Student-Athlete Community (Rasheem Foster, UM-Flint Basketball Player)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/z-lCyQQPFZ8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-large-font-size\" style=\"color:#00274c;font-style:normal;font-weight:700\">Rasheem Foster<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Lead Program Associate, EOI<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Plans for next season is to go out and recruit as much people as we can and have a more structural basketball program.&#8221; <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"EOI Student-Athlete Community (Antonio Parks, Head Basketball Coach)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/vOE9NeX9TWQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-large-font-size\" style=\"color:#00274c;font-style:normal;font-weight:700\">Antonio Parks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Head Basketball Coach, UM-Flint<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Once you join the team, you have a community of people who are behind you. That&#8217;s the main thing that our team is doing for each other.&#8221; <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)\">\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-brand-blue-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-brand-blue-background-color has-background is-style-wide\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-3beeebe7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color has-x-large-font-size wp-elements-dd503f1344a6ec39df11e69afed52aa5\">Our Future<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We will continue to engage community members in and around Flint who wish to share their stories.&nbsp; We acknowledge the roots of our program originated within local K12 classrooms.&nbsp; We plan to learn more about educational access in Flint as we work with Flint Community Schools, Westwood Heights (Hamady), and Beecher High School.&nbsp; We are excited about our relationship with the Latinx Technology &amp; Community Center and will continue to welcome students who speak many languages.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color has-x-large-font-size wp-elements-8ce16e3358609162659d102bdfa55f04\">Our Funding<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This resource was created with support from the University of Michigan\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/futureoflearning.umich.edu\/\">Life-Changing Education<\/a> Grants program.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>EOI serves and supports the Flint community.&nbsp; Our office was established to provide pathways to college for individuals who live in Genesee County and attend schools in our region.&nbsp; We have guided many of our neighbors on the path to graduation.&nbsp; Getting a college degree is the goal for students who choose to attend UM-Flint.&nbsp; [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":0,"parent":137,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-101","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/eoi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/101","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/eoi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/eoi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/eoi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/eoi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=101"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/eoi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/101\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":135,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/eoi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/101\/revisions\/135"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/eoi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/137"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/eoi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=101"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}