Consortium hosts regional EOC conference

Gardner, MA - The Consortium hosted "The Future Is Now! EOCs: Staying Relevant - Moving Forward," a regional Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) conference on November 5-6 at the Colonial Hotel.

EOC projects from across New England come together annually to discuss issues related to low-income first generation adults going back to school. Topics covered included financial aid, economic literacy, working with youth in foster care, changes in federal legislation effecting adult students and workforce development issues.

Pamela Boisvert, vice president for higher education access services at the Consortium, presented a session entitled "HEOA - What it Means for EOC." The session covered the reauthorization of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 1965, signed into law in August 2008. This act has brought changes to legislation affecting the EOC program which will influence proposals and projects for 2011-2015. 

Marsha Forhan, director of the Consortium's Worcester EOC, was one of three panelists in a session entitled "EOC as a Workforce Development Reource." The downturn in the global economy has meant that an increasing number of adults are looking for retraining and retooling of their work skills.

About EOC

A federally funded TRIO program, the EOC offers free services primarily to economically challenged individuals who will be the first generation of their family to go to college. EOC advisors provide information about and assistance with career goal-setting, earning a GED, English language classes (ESOL), selecting a college or training program, filling out the application paperwork, finding financial aid, and locating other academic support services.

The Worcester EOC annually serves approximately 1,500 disadvantaged adults who are interested in returning to school to further their education and careers.