EOPOS creates community and empowers SDSU graduates

At San Diego State University, student success is built on a foundation of connection, support, and community. The Office of Educational Opportunity Programs, Outreach and Success (EOPOS) plays a crucial role in that mission, providing students with the resources, mentorship, and opportunities they need to grow academically, personally, and professionally.

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White shares how EOPOS is more than just a program. It is a community where students feel seen, valued, and create a sense of belonging. As two graduating seniors prepare to walk across the stage this month, they share their inspiring journeys at SDSU and their experience with EOPOS. 

More Than Just Support

Vianey Sevilla Crespo was in high school when she first heard about EOPOS. When the Price Community Scholars team came to present at Crespo’s high school and shared more about the resources EOP provides to first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented students, Crespo felt encouraged to apply. 

“Hearing about it from people who looked like me and had similar lived experiences made me feel like this was a program where I could truly belong and thrive,” said Crespo. 

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All that changed when Crespo attended an in-person campus tour hosted by EOPOS the following summer. In July 2021, Crespo finally met staff members from EOPOS and the Undocumented Resource Center (URC), all of whom had played a huge role in supporting her over the last year. 

“Finding that community through EOPOS and the URC helped me feel like I wasn’t alone and that I was valued and supported,” said Crespo. “It truly transformed my experience at SDSU and made it feel like home.”

As a double major in Social Work and Spanish with a minor in Leadership, she has been deeply engaged on campus through various programs and internships, and will be continuing her career by pursuing her Master of Social Welfare at UC Berkeley, and plans to become a school social worker and support K-12 students. 

Through EOPOS, Crespo has found not just support, but empowerment. She has built leadership skills and found mentors who left an influence on what kind of educator she hopes to be.

“EOPOS is an essential resource because it creates access, connection, and belonging for students who are often left out of the conversation,” said Crespo. “It’s more than just academic support; it’s a space where students can show up as their full selves and be met with compassion, encouragement, and real opportunities for growth.” 

As a first-generation, undocumented student, having a program that understands the systemic barriers she faces and actively works to remove them has made all the difference to Crespo, and is something she will always be grateful for. 

“EOPOS doesn't just support students; it uplifts them, advocates for them, and helps them recognize their power,” said Crespo.

Commitment to Growth

Soon-to-be graduate, Shaye Phung, was initially drawn to SDSU due to its integrated credential program for future teachers. After learning more about the university, the vibrant campus life, and the strong sense of community, it sealed her decision that SDSU was where she was meant to be.

“Seeing the commitment to professional growth, embedded in our education, paired with the robust opportunities to get connected outside the classroom made my choice clear,” said Phung. 

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As a Liberal Studies with an emphasis in Elementary Education major, Phung has a passion for helping others, and was first introduced to EOPOS by her friend on campus, who was a Compact Mentor for the program. After expressing her interest in working with college students instead of elementary school students, Phung applied to be a SOAR Mentor. 

As a SOAR mentor, Phung works with incoming first-year and transfer students to serve as a guide to assist them through the maze of college life, helping them connect to student organizations, and overall set them up for success at SDSU.

“Services range from basic needs to belonging and even self-actualization,” said Phung. “This is a unique resource on such a large campus, and it makes students feel seen and genuinely supported.”

Phung shares how EOPOS allowed her to become an empathetic problem solver and focus on how to meet individuals where they are to enact meaningful change, things that will be invaluable in her career. 

Now, as Phung prepares to start her next chapter at Harvard Graduate School of Education in the Fall to receive her Master's in Education for Education Policy and Analysis, she knows that she will be bringing the knowledge and experiences that she gained from SDSU and EOPOS. 

“EOPOS provided a brave and welcoming space where I could be my authentic self, particularly during a period of career uncertainty,” said Phung. “Witnessing the staff's dedication to building a trusting and passionate community affirmed my commitment to higher education and inspired me to become part of this transformative environment.” Get Involved

This month, 1041 EOPOS students will graduate with their undergraduate degree, and 138 students will graduate with a post-baccalaureate degree.

These students are stepping into the next chapter of their lives and are joining a network of more than 500,000 SDSU alumni, all fellow Aztecs who understand the journey and are ready to offer support, advice, and encouragement along the way.

SDSU alumni have many ways to stay connected and make a difference for students following in their footsteps. To learn more, visit sacd.sdsu.edu/eop.

Congratulations to Phung, Crespo, and the entire EOPOS Class of 2025—we’re proud of you. Welcome to the SDSU Alumni family.