Gender Meeting - Sofia Villalon & Sean McPhillips

This past Wednesday was the gender meeting where students of each respective gender spoke about and understood the different issues culture and society poses on them whether it be on a college campus, family and relationships, or day to day situations.

Being apart of the women's meeting, I looked forward to being on the other side; preparing the poem, scenarios, and linking arms questions in order to relate with the women on not just a surface level. Last year as a student I felt empowered and this time around the meeting made me recognize that I was not alone in this world. This year I could really distinguish which activities sparked the most emotion and fear - a natural feeling when adjusting to college life and it's challenges. It took a bit for the women to lighten up but after mentors jumped in and added their insight, the ladies felt comfortable.


I believe its very important to talk about the societal issues women deal with on an equal level and not as facilitators to women because regardless the title we all have, women will all encounter the same pressures from society. It was imperative this workshop was woman to woman; it allowed honesty and comfort. Looking back to my workshop I realized how much that type of session helped me feel comfortable in my setting, skin, and surroundings because the main goal was to make these women feel comfortable with who they spent their summer with and who they confided in... AOP continues to recognize that education isn’t just in your T-9 calculator, heavy textbooks, and 8 AM lectures at Newton; its what students take away and remember the most about confronting real life situations in workshops like the gender meeting.

Wednesday, July 15 marked the date of this year's annual AOP summer gender meetings. These gender meetings give opportunity for both male and female students to converse in a confidential environment about sex and gender on campus and throughout society.

For the young men of the Access Opportunity Program, this meeting was meant to inform them on what it is like to be a man in modern society and media. Understanding common misconceptions on gender, gave awareness to how we can alter the way we perceive one another.

Throughout this confidential meeting, student were told to "hold nothing back" when discussing stereotypes. This made the overall discussion more honest and comforting for the young men involved. We were able to discuss issues on and off campus involving sex and gender, in a safe and accepting environment. The relevance of these issues was made clear, so students could view the meeting as a learning experience.

This year's gender meeting was eye-opening for students and educators, a-like. Bonding over the way society views gender, gave all the men of AOP the ability to see through new perspectives.

Rochester Museum and Science Center - Mary Legawiec

This past Saturday the peer mentors and students embarked on a mini adventure to The Rochester Museum and Science Center. Each floor offered different hands-on activities to engage the students in each exhibit. When we first walked into the museum we were presented with an interactive site to “excavate dinosaur remains”.  Although some students weren’t as thrilled as others, once they began exploring, their demeanor quickly changed.

I believe I can speak for everyone when I say the Adventure zone was probably everyone’s favorite exhibit throughout the whole museum.  It was hard to get bored with all this floor had to offer- between climbing a rock wall, pretending to be a weather forecaster in front of a green screen, diving into the Ontario lake in a deep submergence vehicle, or crawling across the obstacle course up to the 3rd floor. It was so rewarding seeing students laugh and smile with their new friends. Moreover, Every few hours the students were given the opportunity to attend the Electricity Theater which was an indoor display of lightening bolts that produce musical notes- the higher the wattage, the higher the musical note. Bad Romance by Lady Gaga was one of the many songs that the Electricity Theater made  with the power of lightning, conductors, and insulators.

Students and Peer Mentors ended their day with a Planetarium showing of Dinosaurs: Giants of Patagonia. The students enjoyed comfy seating, and a giant  dome-shaped screen that encompassed the entirety of the ceiling.  The Domed-shaped screen gave a 3D effect as you watched the hour long movie. Overall, I can easily say this field trip was a enjoyable experience for the students and staff.

Training and Student Arrival - Jennifer Liriano

After a week and a half of training and team bonding, the AOP Summer Staff felt a mix of excitement and nervousness in preparation for the incoming pre-freshmen on the evening of July 4^th, the night before they arrived. As the students trickled in one by one, we began to realize how utterly real this experience was becoming and we started to feel less nervous and more ecstatic. The day was long but once we had all of the students in one room and split up into mentor/mentee groups, preparing them for orientation we knew that our job had officially begun. The very first night after our first meeting, a number of students and student staff joined together in the lounge to play an exciting game of Mafia where the students were able to bond with the staff and everyone was able to get a little more comfortable. 

It was a little disorienting going from having no students to having our students plus all of the other students attending orientation but it was a fun way to get to know and bond with as many incoming freshmen as possible. The peer mentors paired up with the Orientation Advisors (OA’s) and we got to enjoy the best of both worlds. We all bonded most during the end of the first day at the first Geneseo Late Knight event (GLK) over karaoke, billiards and snacks. After two long days, our exhausted students returned to Steuben to prepare for the first day of classes.

At 7:30 we all had breakfast and everyone seemed to be a little nervous about the first day of classes. The students had heard so much about the difficulty of the INTD course and how challenging it would be, leaving them curious and slightly intimidated. The tutors, such as myself were also nervous, hoping that we would be as helpful as possible but prepared to do the best that we could to provide aid for the students and keep them from getting overwhelmed.

Overall, the first week is almost over and everyone is accustoming to a new routine. The tutors and other student staff are getting used to being on the other side of the program and we are all excited to create a new experience, and the students are getting ready for a life changing experience that we hope we can all provide!

Geneseo Students Participate in 4th Annual Insomnia Film Festival

On Tuesday, April 21st GREAT Day, students participated in the Insomnia Film festival, spearheaded by Joe Dolce, in the CIT Department. The insomnia film festival presents an opportunity for students to create a short witty and interesting video under three minutes long, that coincides with the themes and guidelines presented.

Twenty teams participated this year, and students learned how to edit, create, and film video. This gave students an opportunity to work on a team, practice their acting skills, and learn more about digital media in the process. Teams compete for a spot in the top three, who win prizes such as book store credit and amazon gift card funds. However, every insomniac knows that their participation isn't about winning prizes, but about enjoying the experience of working closely with others, editing a video, and enjoying all the creative fun moments in between.

Mr. I and Mr. Rivera were a part of the judges for the event, and enjoyed being part of a band, led by Professor Glenn McClure in the English Department.

What an amazing experience this was!

LSA Presents: Sabor Latino "Welcome to Nueva York"!

This weekend, Geneseo's Latino Student Association had one if its biggest events of the year: Sabor Latino, with over two hundred fifty people in attendance. This event included music, dances, and a dinner followed by an entertaining show, which featured the many types of Latino families living in New York City.

Graduating seniors in the organization were also recognized, including President Joel Pineda, Vice President Scarlet Nunez, Secretary Kevin Alvarez, and Public relations Liesel Gutierrez. Based on the crowds response, there is a general sentiment that the event was well received. We are looking forward to future events, LSA. Congratulations on a successful year!

WLI's Annual Leadership Conference

Yesterday, Wednesday March 4th marked the annual Leadership Conference for Geneseo's Women's Leadership Institute. In collaboration with CAS, the GOLD Leadership Program and other sponsoring organizations, WLI's program development Team organized this conference and invited T'sah Rodriguez, a Geneseo alumna to give a keynote address. T'sah spoke about her journey to where she is today, the importance of knowing who you are, asserting yourself when necessary, and reflecting on your path, and working towards becoming the person you'd like to be.

Over 80 people attend this event, including this years WLI participants, who networked with faculty, staff and alum, and practiced the skills they've learned with Women's Leadership Institute throughout the year. We are delighted this event was a success, and look forward to planning next year's conference, and expanding what participants experience from WLI.

Black Student Union: 26th Annual Soul Food Dinner

Saturday, February 28th marked the twenty-sixth anniversary of the Black Student Union's annual Soul Food dinner. Over two hundred tickets were sold for the event, and the Union ballroom was filled with positive energy, and much excitement. The organization hosts this event to acknowledge the struggles of their black ancestors, whose style of cooking originated during American slavery. Slaves were given only leftovers, and unwanted cuts of meat from their masters.

The dinner dishes included, rice and peas, baked beans, ribs, ham, sweet potato pie, and ice-cream for desert. The event included several dances performed by students, and a play directed by Marisa Sylvester, a senior Political Science and Communications major. We are certainly looking forward to next year's events by Geneseo's Black Student Union.

Saturday Bowling - Cindy Lin

With all the stress in the air, we were able to conclude the week with lots of fun activities! On Friday after dinner, there was a water balloon fight outside of Steuben with both students and peer mentors participating. This fight eventually became girls versus boys and with the shortage of water bottles, everyone ended up using water bottles and containers.

On Saturday, everyone enjoyed a trip to Clover Lanes in Rochester. More than half of the lanes were taken over by Geneseo students who quickly filled the place with laughter and excitement. Despite the fact that some students complained they were not interested in going bowling, it was made clear that they all loved the interactions today. Bowling is not everybody’s “cup of tea” but no one was discouraged. We all managed to find ways to score points. Each student had their own unique techniques to knock over the bowling pins and some used this to their advantage. Personally, I only averaged 82 points but the time spent was the most enjoyable aspect of today. I’m sure if we had the time to go bowling again, we would all agree on it. I’m happy to see that the students and staff enjoyed their time at Clover lanes today. Conveniently there is a bowling alley close by the school!

Housekeeping and Getting Binders Ready! – Michelle Mundt

Today the team quickly organized over 140 binders and rooms, as well as decorated hallways, preparing them for the new students who come tomorrow. Just like Angelique Santiago, I am a Peer Tutor and I am super pumped to work with the incoming students! Specifically, I will be working with the INTD 170 students, but feel free to come to me with any questions or concerns. I know that some students may feel nervous or apprehensive about classes or just the simple fact of having to make new friends. I want you to know that this is perfectly normal—all of the Peer Tutors went through the same thing! Don’t worry. The Peer Tutors are here to help you in your classes and to adjust to college. If classes are giving you trouble, you have a plethora of available resources at your finger tips. For one thing, you could go to your Peer Tutor, during their office hours. Peer Tutors have already taken the class that you are taking and they know their material inside and out.  Another source would be your professor’s office hours. Professors can seem intimidating at first, however, I’ve personally met most of them—they are very friendly and they want to help you! Remember: the summer AOP program is very selective. You would not have been chosen for the program if the directors did not believe that you would succeed. They believe in your success and you should too J The team cannot wait to meet all of you guys tomorrow! 

Last Day of Training - Angelique Santiago

Hello everyone! Today the team was very productive! I’m a Peer Tutor so I have been with all the tutors throughout the week. Training was a lot of fun but also a huge help! I feel that every time I've walked out of training I’m that much more excited and prepared to work with the incoming students. It’s super-hot though, so I hope ALL of the students bring BIG fans. We all can’t wait to see each and every one of them! I know that many people are coming here and might not like the fact that they need to do work over the summer. I promise that this summer is about more than work. It’s about growing, connecting with those around you, and getting ready to fill the shoes of a college student. I believe that all of the students can succeed! This entire staff is great and we all want the best for every student that is a part of this program. I won’t lie, it’s not going to be easy but as long as you put forth hard work, like each and every one of us did, you’ll be fine. Today was the last day of meetings and training! We are ready and so pumped to get the show on the road! 

Bonding Time - Shanice Smellie

Today while in tutoring training, the team was able to act out scenarios that might be encountered with different types of students. It was hard to come up with solutions on the spot but it was fun and we learned what to do in case a certain situation were to arise. Many of the AOP student staff have been through different life experiences and we were informed that we will be working with students from various backgrounds that will offer unique and different perspectives. As a staff, we are all excited to begin working and getting to know these students. As mentors some of the most important things we can do are listen, be patient and be open to the students.

Today was an amazing day with the team. It was great to see that even while going through our intensive training we were still able to have fun and share a laugh. As the days pass we are no longer just a team, we are become a family. We went for ice cream and had time to sit down, talk and get to know each other on a more personal level. We realized that we have so much in common and enjoy spending time with one another.

We are so excited to greet all the students, we are literally screaming with joy and anticipation. The staff is working hard trying to get up all the beautiful wall and bulletin board decorations. So far they are looking great. There are color markers, crayons, colors pencils, and construction paper all over the lounge floor and everyone is having a fun time. We are counting down the days and cannot wait!

AOP Student Staff Training - Christina Alli

Tuesday marked the second exciting day of training. As the weather changed, so did the spirits of the staff. After being introduced to our roles, the AOP Summer Program became a reality. I personally am stoked! It was only last year that a majority of the AOP student staff were pre-freshmen students, nervous about what was to come in the four weeks ahead.

Now, the roles have changed, and we are more than happy to assist in helping students grow and transition into college like our peer mentors did for us. AOP is a family and it’s about to get that much bigger. Preparations have started now. We are racing the clock to ensure that the accommodations provided will not only feel like home but will incorporate our mission statement while we strive for our goals. :)

Student Testimonial - Tiffany Loo

"When I first sat to take the exam in this room, I knew that college was going to be rigorous. When I was told that I had to go to the summer program, I was filled with what almost every one of you must feel; hope, happiness, and major anxiety. I was worried that I was not going to make it through the summer program and therefore was not going to be attending a college in the fall of 2013. I also thought that my last summer before college was taken away from me and I was going to face a challenge that I never had faced before.

Going through the program, I was immediately welcomed by all the peer mentors in a friendly and awesome way. Everyone wanted to get to know you and what your interests and aspirations were. They treated you like family from the very beginning. One of the most important things I learn throughout the summer program was that everyone was in the same boat. Everyone was learning about different cultures, differences, and by the end of the program, everyone found a part of themselves that they hadn’t already known. The AOP program at SUNY Geneseo truly is the place for you to find yourself, and especially if you are talking about value this AOP program in particular has it all.

Almost every senior graduating this semester grew in their college experience with all the AOP staff and students from their incoming class year. When I asked some of the seniors who they were going to stay in contact with, or who their best friends were on campus, they all named people in their AOP class. We are a tight family; and all the counselors here do a really great job supporting you. One of the most important things I learned that these counselors do as opposed to other counselors on campus is that they really remember you and your stories; you are not just another number in the pile of 5,000+ kids. They can recall your name, your story, and your aspirations in a heartbeat; and when you are in a stressful situation or environment, as college is often challenging, you have a tight close support system that will help you get through anything.

I honestly can go on and on about how great and passionate I am about this program. I really believe in this program. In terms of summer classes, I have yet to hear from anyone who has regretted going through the summer program. I definitely wouldn’t have changed anything about my experience so far. If you guys need someone to reach out to or find out if you will be truly happy here you can email me at tkl2@geneseo.edu. In the end, you have to choose the college that suits you best, and I really think all of you can succeed here. Thank you!"

All Roads Lead to Excellence - Klarissa Garcia

As my days become numbered in Geneseo, I can’t help but reflect on my time at this institution. In short, my college career can be described as transformative- in numerous aspects of my life. None of it would have been made possible without the continual support of the AOP department, and more specifically the Women’s Leadership Institute (WLI).

I have had the privilege to be a part of this organization since my first year at Geneseo and every year has provided me with a better understanding of who I am as person, leader, student and friend. As a participant, my WLI experience was shaped by my personal growth. I remember Ms. Gonzalez’s tirelessly trying to crack the infamous “shell” I hid behind. The sessions I attended and relationships I established my first year truly pushed me to open up and be vulnerable, but the effort in becoming a better me didn’t stop my first year in WLI. I decided to apply for a position on the Program Development (PD) Team, and since then all three teams which I have been a member of have contributed to my transformation. This year, WLI and AOP in general, have undergone major changes in personnel. With Ms. Gonzalez leaving the program at the end of the fall semester, WLI’s future was questioned. Many, including us on the PD Team, were hesitant in being able to push the program forward and live up to the WLI legacy.

Yet, despite the experience I had on previous PD Teams, this year’s team proved that there is always room for improvement and that anything is possible! We were aware that without an advisor for the majority of the spring semester, we were going to be responsible to execute our planned events and continue to live out our mission and goals. The team not only met, but surpassed all expectations in regards to how the program would continue without Ms. Gonzalez. Our main goal was to do our best as a team and continue to support our participants. As the Student Advisor and senior, going through the WLI program for the fourth time, I was beyond proud of the team and couldn’t believe that I was still learning new things about myself. We were stronger than ever during this semester and our determination and enthusiasm was evident miles away.  I am still shocked by the passion and commitment I have witnessed within this team and have no doubt that the organization is in good hands.

WLI’s theme my first year was “Coming Full Circle: Experience, Embody, Embrace”. Without realizing, I have done just that! I have experienced WLI as a participant and PD Team member, learning new things throughout every year. Unknowingly, I had begun to embody and embrace our pearls and I’m finding ways to share that with our participants, PD Team members and community at large.  I know that although I will be graduating and leaving Geneseo, I will forever be a part of WLI. So, as I pass down my knowledge and prepare the current participants for what lies ahead, in terms of WLI, I emphasize how important it is to be open to change and new experiences. Our experiences may differ, but I encourage each and every young lady to let the process run its course- only when reflecting on your experience will you see how much has changed. I also want to stress the importance of support for the organization and each other. The work that has been done this year would not have been made possible without the support of the college, AOP department, the PD Team, and participants.  Thank you to everyone who has made these last four years the most memorable years of my life! 

Meet Courtney Volturno, Our Newest AOP Counselor!

What attracted you to SUNY Geneseo and the AOP Department?

Having graduated from SUNY Geneseo, I know how great the college is from first-hand experience.  I feel that I obtained an outstanding education that prepared me for both my graduate studies and career.  I also had the chance to meet some wonderful friends and faculty/staff and make many fond memories.

In my former role as a post-secondary program coordinator for a non-profit agency in Rochester, I worked with high school students in the Rochester City School District to prepare them for college.  Through this position, I taught students about EOP/HEOP and helped them apply to their schools of choice through the programs.  Many of my students were accepted to their colleges through EOP or HEOP and when I would see them or speak with them after high school graduation, they all said they were doing so well in their colleges thanks to the support of their EOPs/HEOPs.  I knew I had to be a part of such an important program and support students at the next level of education.

How did you get to where you are in terms of your career?

It was interesting…  When I graduated from Geneseo with a major in sociology and a minor in psychology, I was not quite sure what I was going to do.  I heard about a job at Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection (HW-SC) from a friend and decided to apply.  Instantly, I knew it was a great fit.  I had a caseload of approximately 30 high school students at-risk of dropping out that I mentored and connected to various resources.  My interest in working with students in a school setting, but not as a teacher, was confirmed.  As I continued to work with students, I learned that I specifically liked working with the juniors and seniors teaching them about college planning and how to be successful in college.  That interest lead to my most recent role at HW-SC as a post-secondary program coordinator.  From there, as mentioned above, I fell in love with EOP/HEOP and was fortunate to have the chance to join the AOP family at Geneseo in March.

Additionally, while I was working at HW-SC, I had the opportunity to earn my M.S. in Human Development from the Warner School of Education at the University of Rochester.  Although working and attending school was intense at times, I wouldn’t have chosen to complete my Master’s degree any other way.  I loved that I could bring my experiences from the job into the classroom and my classroom knowledge to work the very next day.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

My favorite thing to do in my spare time is to hang out with my friends and family.  I also like to try to be active – I especially love walking and am always up for a good walk.   Don’t be surprised if I ask you to go on a walk one of these days.

What are some of your pet peeves (i.e., what kinds of things really annoy you)?

People who are disrespectful – to other people, to places, to things, etc.  There is no need for it.  

Do you have a motto you try to live your life by?

“The happiest people don’t have the best of everything, they make the best of everything.”  Growing up, adults – my parents, teachers, coaches, etc. – always seemed to be talking about the importance of attitude.  Their messages didn’t sink in until I started really noticing how different people react to the same or similar situations.  People with a positive attitude who “turn their lemons into lemonade” seem to achieve the most and get the most enjoyment out of life.


What are you looking forward to most this summer?
Getting married!  And relaxing on the honeymoon with my new husband after all of the work of planning the wedding!

Ribbon Cutting Blog

So we have to start somewhere!

As we get ready for AOP Summer 2014 we thought it would be a good idea to start this blog. The goal is to share some stories of the events we put on for the perspective, incoming, current students and their families.

The AOP staff is constantly busy working on programs and events for our students, but not nearly as busy as our students themselves. This blog will invite students to tell their stories of the AOP Summer Program, College Orientation, Internships, Study Abroad Trips, Leadership Opportunities and anything else I haven't thought of.

This semester has already been a whirlwind around Blake-C. We just welcomed our new EOP Counselor, Ms. Courtney Volturno. Ms. Volturno is a Geneseo alumnus and is already excitedly meeting all of her students. Our tutoring program is receiving another record number of tutor requests. The guys at MILES just held another successful basketball tournament. The ladies of WLI just put on what I think might have been their best Women's Leadership Expo. I was only able to attend the dinner, but it was an amazing event with another Geneseo alumnus, Andrea Holland, as the Keynote speaker. Dr. Gantt is currently busy as can be reading essays and choosing our incoming class. The fun literally never stops.

The most exciting news for me was the hiring of our AOP Summer 2014 Student staff. You can find more information on them by clicking this link or in the pages to the right. You can find a lot of great information about our office and our programs so keep coming back. Feel free to write, call or comment with any questions.

Welcome to AOP!

- Mr. Chew

Thomas Chew
TOP Counselor and Tutoring Coordinator
chew@geneseo.edu