微密圈

A Note from the director

Another great year of innovation and adaptation!

Greetings from the Opportunity Program! After nearly 10 years as director, I am excited about our continued commitment and support to our Opportunity Scholars. 

With an office of six staff members, OP continues to innovate to meet the holistic needs of nearly 160 scholars each day. Our engaged advising model is constantly evolving to better understand students鈥� needs; provide academic, financial, and psychosocial support; connect them with campus resources; and offer a listening ear.

We begin this process as early as their junior year of high school and continue beyond graduation. It truly takes the OP village to support our scholars, and the rewards are significant. 

As the needs of our students continue to change, our staff is committed to growing alongside our students 鈥� thinking creatively and expanding our knowledge through professional development to stay current. We also maintain a strong focus on assessment, refining data collection and ensuring high-quality programming and services. This approach ensures that OP students continue to be leaders on campus and in their communities. 

In addition to traditional advising and academic support, this year the OP staff launched several new initiatives. Recognizing the connection between student success and well-being, we introduced programming focused on mental health and holistic wellness, along with a mentoring network that connects students with peers and professionals. We also expanded community engagement and sustainability-focused efforts, encouraging students to engage with the world around them and become stewards. These new pillars of the OP experience not only broaden our support, but also empower our scholars to lead balanced, impactful lives.

 鈥� Kelli Rouse, director  

2025-26 Events and Programming

A season of connection and growth: our year-in-review. 

What a year it has been! Looking at everything OP has tackled in recent months, it鈥檚 clear that while the credits appear on transcripts, the core of our community is found in the moments spent creating, exploring, and simply showing up for one another.

We kicked things off in the fall with a hands-on partnership with the Office of Sustainability. Students came together for custom tote bag painting to promote reusable products and later reconvened to master the art of DIY beeswax wraps as reusable food storage. We proved that being eco-friendly can be crafty and fun!  

When we weren鈥檛 crafting, we were hitting the trails at Moreau Lake State Park for the return of the OP Fishing and Hiking Trip. Whether you were there to actually catch a fish, take a hike, or just soak up some fresh air and sunshine, it was the perfect way to kick off the semester.  

The energy remained vibrant throughout the semester thanks to some truly unique events. Students drew inspiration from the on-campus performance by Sweet Honey in the Rock, an evening that left both students and staff inspired. We also focused on professional development with a public speaking workshop. Special thanks to Teisha Duncan from the theater department for helping students find their voices and build confidence.

And because "Upstate Life" comes with its own learning curve, our Seasons in Saratoga session provided real talk on navigating the winter chill, layering up, and staying ahead of those seasonal blues with proactive wellness strategies. 

We made sure no one went through the term on an empty stomach, too. Cooking with Kelli returned this semester with a pound cake demonstration that left students with plenty of kitchen inspiration 鈥� and desserts. Likewise, the monthly OP Lunch series continued to be a favorite space to connect, eat well, and remember why this community is so special. Of course, it wasn't all play and snacks 鈥� our regular study spaces and academic support kept everyone on track as mid-semester deadlines approached.

To close out the fall, we tackled finals week with a much-needed stress relief workshop. A candle-making workshop added a sense of calm during long library sessions. From the first hike of the fall to the last wick trimmed in December, the semester was filled with growth, great food, and even better company.  

After a winter break that was both restful and frigid, we returned to a snow-covered campus energized for the spring.

Our semesterly General Body meeting included a special highlight this year, as seniors Victor Mina 鈥�26 and Haja Trawally 鈥�26 reflected on their four years at 微密圈. They shared the challenges they鈥檝e overcome and reflecting on all that they鈥檝e accomplished. We are so proud of them and the entire senior class as they approach the finish line! 

The semester also began with a renewed focus on the long-term sustainability of the HEOP program, through advocacy and community collaboration. OP partnered with the Frederick Allen Elks Lodge and Kate Graney from the political science department to host a "Pizza and Postcards," a letter-writing campaign in support of student aid. Over dinner, students wrote to state representatives, emphasizing the importance of investing in education.  

Building on that momentum, OP students and staff traveled to the State Capitol in Albany for NYS Student Aid Advocacy Day. Students met with lawmakers and provided first-hand accounts of how HEOP has shaped their lives. Watching them navigate those halls of power with such confidence was a true highlight of the semester, showing that their influence extends well beyond the classroom. 

 Creativity was in the air throughout the spring with a range of unique literary and artistic programming. The OP Book Club explored George Orwell鈥檚 鈥�1984,鈥� sparking thoughtful discussions about its relevance today. During midterms, OP partnered with the Writing Center for a Journaling to De-stress event giving students a cathartic space to channel their creative energy. Visual arts also remained a focus, with a cookie decorating workshop led by Meadowlark Custom Cookies, where students created treats that were both beautiful and delicious. 

For our graduates, we introduced a new Financial Literacy Workshop led by Angela Tatum, a New York State Capital Region-based expert. The session focused on managing personal finances, particularly for those transitioning into the professional world. 

OP also celebrates this year鈥檚 outstanding award recipients. Congratulations to Khamani Bohla 鈥�27, recipient of the Barbara Hume Memorial Award; Haja Trawally 鈥�26, honored with the Rodney D. Andrews Prize; Joyce King 鈥�27, recipient of The Jane Anne Hapeman Distinguished Service Award; and Dejenebe Sanogo 鈥�26, who received the President鈥檚 Award for Leadership and Service. Each of these students embodies the very best of our values, and we cannot wait to see the amazing things they will continue to achieve! 

As the semester comes to a close, we look forward to celebrating the Class of 2026 at the OP Senior Send-off Dinner. While it is bittersweet to see them go, we are excited to honor all they have accomplished over the past four years! 

OP Staff Updates

Catch up with the committed staff members who provide the daily support and care that help our students excel.

Kelli Rouse, director, enjoyed another busy year. She was able to tend to more administrative tasks while continuing to advise a caseload of students. Professionally, she attended and presented at the Higher Education Opportunity Program Professional Organization (HEOPPO) annual conference and led a Lunch and Learn session. During the conference, she ran for and was elected as treasurer of HEOPPO. She also continues to serve on the scholarship committee and election committees. At 微密圈, she asked to serve on a committee of oversight. Outside of 微密圈, Kelli remains an active member of her sorority alumnae chapter of Zeta Phi Beta, Sorority, Inc. She was recently elected as vice president of the New Choices Recovery Center board, an addiction recovery center based out of Schenectady, New York. These commitments continue to keep Kelli engaged in her community, but she still finds time to travel. In February, she traveled to Aruba with her husband and friends. 

Amarilis Francis, assistant director for advising, is nearing her second year in the role. She has enjoyed supporting the planning and facilitation of social and wellness-focused programs for OP scholars during the fall and spring semesters, including Financial Literacy in Your 20s and Journaling to De鈥慡tress. In addition to her advising work, Amarilis is actively engaged in the second phase of the Residential Curriculum development process, conducting interviews with Student Affairs departments and crafting learning goals for a division-wide curriculum that supports student learning in their living environment. This year, she also co-taught her first cycle of Academic Transformation with Joshlin. Amarilis looks forward to welcoming the Class of 2030 at the end of the spring semester. 

Ryan Roche, assistant director for student outreach, had a busy academic year. A lot of his time was spent on the road, and he gives a shout-out to New York City, New Jersey, and Ohio for an incredible travel/recruitment season. Connecting with prospective students and families and sharing what OP is all about is one of his favorite parts of his job. After returning, he went right into application review season, which consisted of reading, advocating, and helping shape the class of 2030. He loved seeing applications from all over the world and working to build a cohort that not only needs OP, but one that OP needs as well. Ryan鈥檚 now looking forward to Summer Academic Institute planning! From hiring and training student staff to building out programming and logistics, he and the OP staff are putting together an experience that will help our incoming students feel confident, connected, and ready to hit the ground running. While all of that is incredibly important, the work that matters most to Ryan has been the day-to-day connections: meeting with students, collaborating with the team, and creating spaces where people can show up as themselves and feel supported. Those moments are always the highlight. Outside of OP, Ryan has continued teaching at his alma mater, where he has the opportunity to train and mentor future therapists. It鈥檚 work he takes a lot of pride in, and it constantly shapes how he shows up for our students: meeting people where they are and helping them grow into who they鈥檙e becoming. All in all, Ryan has had a semester full of movement, meaningful conversations, and a lot of intentional work to make sure our students feel like they belong here, whether they鈥檙e here already, coming in, or gearing up to walk across stage at graduation. 

Joshlin Sheridan, academic counselor and STEM advisor, loves advising and is inspired by the creativity, resilience, and impact of OP scholars across campus. She enjoyed getting to know the Class of 2029 through the summer program and co-teaching Academic Transformations in the fall. Joshlin strives to create meaningful experiences for students, from a relaxing candle-making workshop to a lively, life-sized game of Hungry Hungry Hippos. A highlight of her year was attending the NASPA Annual Conference in Kansas City, where, as a Kansas native, she enjoyed visiting family, savoring tasty barbecue, and learning best practices for supporting student success. In the spring, she led a group of students from Ohio to Washington, D.C., during peak cherry blossom season as part of the Kettering Scholarship cultural trip. Joshlin is grateful for her work at 微密圈 and proud to contribute to the mission of OP. 

Devin Madkin, administrative assistant, continues to manage daily office operations, financial responsibilities, marketing, hiring and training work-study students, and social media. As always, the beginning of the semester is her busiest time. Devin also assisted with planning the summer program, organizing and promoting events, and participated in the annual Kettering trip. She will soon begin her annual summer program preparations. When she isn鈥檛 in the office, Devin is out enjoying the beautiful weather, taking fun day trips to different locations around New York, and is currently in the process of spring cleaning and redecorating some rooms in her home. 

Adam Evans, learning associate for humanities/social sciences, had another great year of teaching and advising. His classes went well, and he has enjoyed watching the Class of 2029 grow more comfortable on campus and deepen their academic interests. This summer marks his eighth year with OP, and he values how the work continues to evolve and remain engaging. He can鈥檛 wait to meet the incoming Class 0f 2030 students at SAI! Outside of the office, Adam has kept to his usual program of family outings and fishing trips, with some fun adventures in Pennsylvania and Montana.