The mission of the Office of Academic Opportunity is to provide resources and support to students who are traditionally underrepresented in post-secondary education, including low-income, first-generation, and minority students, in order to facilitate academic success. The unit coordinates with departments on campus, as well as, agencies off campus to develop programming specifically designed to improve student outcomes. Our activities are directed toward pre-college students who seek enrollment in post-secondary institutions, UMBC students who strive for academic success, and students interested in enrolling in graduate study.
In addition to supporting the First-Gen Network, the Office houses UMBC’s US Department of Education funded TRIO Programs, such as:
- Classic Upward Bound,
- Educational Talent Seach,
- McNair Scholars,
- Upward Bound Math/Science,
- and the National Science Foundation funded Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation.
These programs provide services such as summer programs, tutoring, academic advising, mentoring, and test preparation to eligible students.
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