WARWICK, R.I. – Stephanie Cruz knows firsthand how the right support system can change a student's path. As a first-generation college student, guidance from mentors helped her succeed, inspiring a 37-year career at the Community College of Rhode Island. Today, as Director of the Educational Opportunity Center (EOC), she helps adult learners navigate the complexities of admissions, financial aid, and career planning.

As Cruz prepares to retire this month, she leaves the federally funded TRIO program on solid ground. She recently led a highly competitive grant application that earned a perfect score, securing EOC funding through 2031. After guiding thousands of Rhode Islanders into new careers, she is passing the baton to a dedicated team.

In this edition of Thinkers, Doers & Achievers, Knight Knowledge spoke with Cruz to learn more about her remarkable career, the profound impact of the EOC on adult learners, her historic recent grant win, and her hopes for the program as she steps into retirement.

Knight Knowledge: First, can you tell us a bit about your background and what brought you to CCRI?

Cruz: My path into higher education started with my experience as a first-generation college student. I attended the University of Rhode Island through the Talent Development (TD) program, and that community changed the entire trajectory of my life. As a first-gen student, there was no roadmap; TD gave me the support, guidance, and sense of belonging I needed to succeed.

My college life revolved around my TD family, and I found myself drawn to the work my advisor and the staff did for us. After graduation, I joined TD and quickly realized how fulfilling it was to help students navigate the same challenges I had faced. A brief stint in the private sector confirmed that my heart was in education, and I worked my way back as soon as I could.

It was my TD advisor who told me the Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) was hiring. I jumped at the chance. I was fortunate to be hired by former RI Commissioner of Postsecondary Education Brenda Dann-Messier. She would become my biggest champion and now continues to challenge and inspire me.

Working at the community college was a new environment to adjust to, but where I saw the greatest opportunity for helping adults see what’s possible and how to take steps toward their educational goals.

Knight Knowledge: You are the Director of the Educational Opportunity Center (EOC). What does the EOC do, and how does it help our students?

Cruz: EOC is a federally funded TRIO program that supports Rhode Island adults, age 19 and older, as they explore higher education and career training. We work with people at every stage of life: first-time college students, adults returning after many years, individuals completing unfinished degrees, and those seeking new career pathways.

We help participants navigate processes that can feel overwhelming: admissions, FAFSA and financial aid, scholarships, career exploration, transferring, and returning to school. We walk with them through barriers, help them understand their options, and connect them with resources that move them forward.

One of the things I am most proud of is the success of our participants. So many have gone on to become teachers, social workers, accountants, engineers, legislators, nurses, entrepreneurs — even a mayor and a police chief. Being part of their story is an honor.

None of this is possible without an extraordinary team. I want to acknowledge the dedication and commitment of the current EOC staff. They are the heart of this program. Their belief in our participants, their willingness to go the extra mile, and their steady presence through every challenge are what make EOC exceptional. I could not have asked for a better group of people to work alongside. Their compassion and expertise, and the way they show up every day with heart, skill, and a belief in people’s potential, are the reasons our participants thrive. It was my privilege to work with this team.

Knight Knowledge: What is the latest EOC grant that you led?

Cruz: I’ve assisted with nearly 20 TRIO grant applications for EOC, Talent Search, and Access since 1994. I’ve been the primary lead on the last two EOC competitions. The most recent grant was both the most challenging and the most fulfilling. The process was entirely new, the timeline was tight, and we knew that as many as half of existing programs might not be funded.

Despite all of that, we submitted an application that earned a perfect score in a highly competitive environment. I do believe this was the most innovative grant application I have been a part of.

This grant award is especially meaningful because it secures the EOC’s next five-year cycle from September 2026 through August 2031. This ensures that the program will reach its 50th anniversary in 2029.

But more importantly, this wasn’t just about writing a strong proposal. It was about protecting a program that thousands of Rhode Islanders rely on. It was about ensuring that adults who need guidance, support, and access to education will continue to have it.

Knight Knowledge: This is a bittersweet moment because you are retiring at the end of this month. What has your time at CCRI been like?

Cruz: It truly is bittersweet. CCRI has been part of my life for over 37 years, and it’s hard to imagine stepping away from the daily work and the community that has meant so much to me.

My time here has been filled with opportunities to grow, advocate, build relationships, and support students and families as they navigate challenges and reach milestones they once thought were out of reach.

I would also be remiss not to mention the decade I spent with the Access program. That work pushed me outside my comfort zone and allowed me to support students more intensively as they persisted, graduated, and transferred. It was a significant and meaningful part of my career.

As I prepare to retire, I feel deeply grateful. I’ve been able to do work that aligns with my values, opens doors, and changes lives. My hope is that my legacy lives not only in the programs I’ve led or the grants I’ve secured, but in the people I’ve encouraged and the belief I’ve tried to instill: Education can change the direction of someone’s life.

Knight Knowledge: Looking ahead, how do you hope the EOC evolves to continue supporting our students?

Cruz: I hope the EOC continues to build on the more than 40-year foundation while adapting to the changing needs of Rhode Island adults. Barriers today look different than they did decades ago: rising costs, shifts in financial aid, technology demands, workforce changes, and the challenge of balancing school with work and family.

I’d like to see the EOC deepen its partnerships with community organizations, workforce agencies, colleges, and training providers so adults can fully understand the entire range of opportunities available to them — including degrees, short-term credentials, apprenticeships, and stackable pathways that lead to meaningful employment.

Most importantly, I hope the program never loses sight of the people behind the numbers. Every participant has a story, responsibilities, and dreams. Meeting people where they are with empathy, accuracy, and encouragement is the heart of our work.

And I know the EOC team will carry that forward. They are exceptional. They are dedicated. They are the reason the program thrives.

As we say in EOC: "Never too late to learn." I hope that message continues to guide the program for many years to come.