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!