Educational Opportunity Initiatives

Educational Opportunity Initiatives College Access. Academic Success. Community Impact.

The Office of Educational Opportunity Initiatives extends a heartfelt invitation for you to attend our upcoming EOI Reun...
08/05/2026

The Office of Educational Opportunity Initiatives extends a heartfelt invitation for you to attend our upcoming EOI Reunion, which will be held on Friday, August 28, 2026, from 12- 3 p.m. at Wilson Park, located on UM-Flint’s beautiful campus. It will bring together past and current students, faculty, and staff, celebrating the rich history and achievements of our office.
Please complete the registration form below and consider supporting the work of UM-Flint's Educational Opportunity Initiatives (EOI) with a donation.

Registration Link: https://lnkd.in/gk7uXeWW

Donation link: https://lnkd.in/gm3Z-X99

Please Mark Your Calendar!We’re bringing together our cherished alumni, past and current students, faculty, and co-worke...
07/23/2026

Please Mark Your Calendar!

We’re bringing together our cherished alumni, past and current students, faculty, and co-workers! This gathering is a wonderful opportunity to reconnect and celebrate the bonds that have shaped our journey together. Please come and enjoy food, laughter, and each other.

Event Details:

• Date: Friday, August 28th

• Time: 12-3pm

• Location: Wilson Park

To register, please click the provided link. Numbers are needed!

We’re excited to announce a special reunion event that brings together our cherished alumni, former students, faculty, a...
06/22/2026

We’re excited to announce a special reunion event that brings together our cherished alumni, former students, faculty, and co-workers! This gathering is a wonderful opportunity to reconnect, share memories, and celebrate the bonds that have shaped our journey together.

Event Details:

• Date: Friday, August 28th

• Time: 12-3pm

• Location: Wilson Park

Whether you’re reminiscing about old times or looking for new connections, this event is like a family reunion, and we’d love for you to be a part of it. Enjoy engaging conversations, fun activities, and the chance to catch up with familiar faces.

Please RSVP as soon as possible, but by August 3, 2026, to help us make this event memorable. We can’t wait to see you all again and strengthen the ties that bind us!

Warm regards,

Introducing the Office of Educational Opportunity Initiatives Program Manager of the Gaining Early Awareness and Readine...
04/22/2026

Introducing the Office of Educational Opportunity Initiatives Program Manager of the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP Program) here at UM-Flint, Diamond Wilder-Dillard! Here is a brief introduction from Diamond, highlighting her professional background, achievements, and the expertise she brings to the GEAR UP Program as she helps the program continue to grow and thrive!

I am currently the Pre-College Program Manager for EOI. I have spent most of my professional career shifting the lives, culture, and mindset around post-secondary success. I have been a committed and dedicated to serving the Flint Community within the college access space for the past twelve years. Through this work, I am grateful to be able to contribute what I consider to be "just the right or responsible" efforts to transform into positive, impactful experiences for our students over the years.

While I am no Flint native, I take pride in being a part of this community for as long as I have. As a student worker in EOl during my college years, I have always been supported by previous leadership and mentors in EOl, who ensured that when you are part of EOl, you are connected, committed, and have a profound understanding and appreciation for the work we do, why we do it, and who we serve. This thought process and attitude I carry very close in my heart, professionally and personally.

Pre-College Programs in EOI are one of the foundational components of EOI because of how far-reaching the curriculum/design, mentorship, and grassroots efforts in the "field" are, and the potential for where students can land after the exposure, preparedness, and experience have been granted to them. One of the best parts of this passion work is seeing students you have had in a pre-college program graduate from high school and college, enter graduate programs, pursue their own careers, build the lives they aspire to, start families, and become responsible citizens. I do not view our students as statistics to meet, but as individuals to uplift, grounded in the belief that it takes a village to ensure their success.

Introducing EOI’s GEAR UP Program! The University of Michigan–Flint’s Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergra...
04/21/2026

Introducing EOI’s GEAR UP Program! The University of Michigan–Flint’s Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) primarily serves the local pre-college population in Flint. GEAR UP operates at Beecher and Hamady High Schools, preparing students for their transition to postsecondary education or the workforce, increasing awareness of opportunities after high school graduation. This early exposure is crucial, giving students the confidence and readiness to succeed at the next level long before their high school graduation day comes. Through in and out-of-school events, hands-on workshops, job shadowing opportunities, mentoring, and more, GEAR UP offers countless ways for students to engage in activities that help them build the skills they’ll need to succeed! GEAR UP shows students that the goals they’ve set for themselves are well within reach and that their future is bright.

Stay tuned as tomorrow, we’ll be introducing you to GEAR UP’s Program Manager, Diamond Wilder-Dillard!

Introducing the Office of Educational Opportunity Initiatives Program Manager of Morris Hood Jr. Educator Development (M...
04/17/2026

Introducing the Office of Educational Opportunity Initiatives Program Manager of Morris Hood Jr. Educator Development (MHED Program UM- Flint) here at UM-Flint, Bianca Torbert! Here is a brief introduction from Bianca, highlighting her professional background, achievements, and the expertise she brings to the Morris Hood Jr. Educator Development (MHED) Program as she helps the program continue to grow and thrive.

Bianca Torbert currently serves as the Program Manager for the MHED Program. Ms. Bianca brings 24 years of service and experience at UM-Flint, working with student support programs.

Bianca has experience in overseeing various aspects of higher education administration, including enrollment management, student services, and academic program development. In addition to her administrative roles, she specializes in success coaching, guiding students in setting and achieving their academic and personal goals and enhancing their overall educational experience.

Bianca graduated from the University of Michigan-Flint in 2015 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and continued her education until 2017, when she earned a Master’s degree in Public Administration.

"My role is to serve as a coach for students and become a thought partner, ensuring students achieve the goals they have set for themselves. I strive to empower and motivate students to reach their full potential and navigate any obstacles they may encounter along the way."

The MHED Program has established a partnership with the Education Department at UM-Flint to support future teachers throughout their academic journey.

Introducing EOI’s Morris Hood Jr. Educator Development Program (MHED)! Morris Hood is a program at the University of Mic...
04/16/2026

Introducing EOI’s Morris Hood Jr. Educator Development Program (MHED)! Morris Hood is a program at the University of Michigan-Flint that is designed to uplift future educators and help them thrive as they navigate the academic journey on their way to becoming teachers. This program supports students from a wide range of backgrounds, offering mentorship, academic assistance, and professional development in an inclusive environment centered around academic and personal growth. Morris Hood is great at giving their students the opportunity to blossom through interactive workshops, networking opportunities, and hands-on experiences that’ll prepare them for their future careers in education. Teachers are the foundation of education, and Morris Hood’s ability to make sure our future educators are confident, have strong skills, and are prepared is an invaluable resource. With every connection made and opportunity presented, Morris Hood lets their students know they have the ability, support circle, and resources necessary to make a meaningful impact in education.

Stay tuned as tomorrow, we’ll be introducing you to Morris Hood Education’s Program Manager, Bianca Torbert!

Introducing the EOI Scholars Program Manager, Dr. John Girdwood. Below is a brief introduction from John, highlighting h...
04/15/2026

Introducing the EOI Scholars Program Manager, Dr. John Girdwood. Below is a brief introduction from John, highlighting his professional experience, achievements, and the expertise he brings to the EOI Scholars Program to continue its growth and success.

"I am currently a Student Affairs Program Manager (started 2021) and Adjunct Lecturer in Sociology at UM-Flint (started 2012). These roles are related because I teach sociology to students in various King-Chavez-Parks programs, including Flint Southwestern Academy students who are enrolled in both GEAR UP and DEEP programs. We support all students at UM-Flint who face barriers, and we are currently focused on building a community for first-generation college students. Living in Flint is a major part of my identity, so I am biased toward serving students from Flint. I have lived in Flint and had family in Flint since the 1980s, so I have seen a lot of changes. My goal will always be to support marginalized students, and currently, that means my primary focus is serving students who live in Flint and attend UM-Flint. I am excited that Flint Central High School is being rebuilt, that more resources are being directed toward Flint K12 education, and that UM-Flint is studying the feasibility of adding collegiate sports. People might think my long-term vision is funny or hyperbolic, but my measurable goal is to increase the percentage of Flint residents who have a bachelor's degree from 14% (current) to at least 51% (majority) before I retire. UM-Flint, EOI, and the sociology program can contribute to that goal, which is why I find value in the work I do."

Be sure to like, share, and subscribe to the EOI YouTube page where John and support staff members share motivational videos with practical tips about how to SUCCEED in college!​
https://www.youtube.com/

04/14/2026

Introducing the Educational Opportunity Initiatives (EOI) Scholars Program! Formerly known as the Select Student Support Services (4S) Program. The EOI Scholars Program at the University of Michigan-Flint is all about helping students feel connected, supported, and confident during their time on campus. Its mission is to provide academic assistance, personalized guidance, and a welcoming community that encourages growth both inside and outside the classroom. EOI Scholars aims to give students from academically or economically disadvantaged backgrounds the resources they need to excel at the university level. Whether it’s navigating programmatic coursework, finding helpful opportunities on campus, or even simply providing a helping hand, the Program is designed to empower students from their 1st day in college, all the way through graduation!

Stay tuned as tomorrow, we’ll be introducing you to the EOI Scholars Program Manager, Dr. John Girdwood!

Introducing MPowering My Success’s Program Manager, Desiree Fischer! Below is a brief introduction from Desiree, highlig...
04/08/2026

Introducing MPowering My Success’s Program Manager, Desiree Fischer! Below is a brief introduction from Desiree, highlighting her professional background, achievements, and the expertise she brings to MPowering as she helps guide the program toward continued success!

Desiree serves as both Program Manager and Life Skills Coach for MPowering My Success. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science and a Master’s degree in Forensic Psychology. Her previous professional experience includes serving as a foster care worker in Southeastern Michigan and working as a Juvenile Probation Officer for Genesee County—roles that have shaped her deep commitment to supporting youth and young adults as they navigate complex systems and transition into independence.

Vision & Goals – MPowering My Success
MPowering My Success envisions a future where students with lived experience in foster care are empowered to thrive as confident, resilient, and purpose‑driven adults. The program is dedicated to cultivating a supportive community that nurtures personal growth and professional development, ensuring every student has access to the tools, resources, and encouragement needed to define and achieve their own version of success.

Our goal is to equip students with the skills, mindset, and opportunities necessary to overcome barriers, build resilience, and excel academically, socially, and professionally. Through mentorship, advocacy, and holistic support, MPowering strives to transform lived experiences into sources of strength—empowering students to lead with confidence, pursue meaningful careers, and create lasting impact within their communities.

Address

University Of Michigan-Flint, 303 E Kearsley Street, University Center, Suite 280
Flint, MI
48502

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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