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The TRIO Educational Opportunity Center (EOC), hosted by Pensacola State College, is a federal grant program that assists low and modest-income and/or individuals who will be first generation college students either enrolling in a postsecondary institution for the first time or returning to high school or postsecondary education. The program is open to adults 19 years of age and older who live in Escambia or Santa Rosa counties. All services provided are free.
Welcome
EOC Services
The EOC provides information and services related to any postsecondary (post high school) education, including colleges, universities, and schools offering vocational and technical programs. Additionally, the EOC helps with those who want to return to high school or earn their GED.
- Admissions
- Information on educational institutions within the region, state, and country
- Assistance with college or vocational/technical school admissions forms
- Help with choosing a program of study
- Assistance with transferring to an upper-level college or university
- Financial Aid
- Explanation of the financial aid process
- Assistance with filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Information about searching and applying for local, state, and private scholarships, grants, and college work study
- Referrals for information on reconciling defaulted student loans
- Workshops on Money Management, FSAID, and completing the FASFA form
- Educational and Career Exploration
- Provide career interest tests and discuss careers and/or programs that match your interests and aptitude
- Information on colleges and vocational/technical programs related to your interests
- Information on selected careers, including job descriptions, employment trends, and salary (wage) forecasts
- Referrals to FREE Support Services
- Financial Literacy Workshops
- Tutoring
- Textbook Loans
- Scholarships
- American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accommodations
- Employment Services
- Food Pantry
- Mental Health Counseling
- Professional Clothes Closet
- Childcare Assistance
- Transportation
- Veterans Services
Eligibility
Students served by EOC include:
- Residents of Escambia or Santa Rosa counties who are at least 19 years old
- Individuals with low-to-modest taxable income
- First generation applicants (i.e. parents DID NOT graduate with a 4-year degree before applicant turns 18)
- Individuals who plan to return to high school or a GED program
- Individuals who plan to enroll in postsecondary (past high school) education (i.e. college, university, vocational or technical school)
- Veterans, the homeless, and individuals with disabilities
Contact Us
EOC Office – PSC Pensacola Campus
1000 College Boulevard
Find us in Building 6, Room 610 MAP
Email: eoc@pensacolastate.edu
Phone: (850) 484-1961
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Meet Our Staff
Matt Hebert
Program Director
mahebert@pensacolastate.edu
After completing a 30-year career in the United States Navy as a Naval Aerospace and Operational Physiologist, I spent a short time as a Human Performance Subject Matter Expert for KBR, Inc. providing liaison/consultation for government and not-for-profit research and development laboratories/Institutes implementing holistic, human-centered, and total system performance, safety, human performance evaluation in system design, engineering, and operational environments. I earned my BS Degree via Pell Grant funding in Zoology/Chemistry from Weber State College in Ogden, Utah, and an MS Degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation with an emphasis in Cardiac Rehabilitation and Exercise Physiology from Utah State University in Logan, Utah. I am proud to have been selected to assist the TRIO Educational Opportunity Center team as the Program Director and assist qualified individuals with college and technical school admissions, financial aid, and educational and career guidance.
Wanda Wood
Student Services Specialist
wwood@pensacolastate.edu
After completing a 20-year career in the business world, I joined the TRIO/Educational Opportunity Center to work in a field I promised myself I’d never join: education. I grew up in a family of educators, so I thought someone should break out of the mold, but I eventually came full circle and established a career in postsecondary education. My work with EOC students has become the most satisfying career of my life. I earned both BA and MA degrees in communications (with an emphasis in interpersonal communications) from the University of West Florida. My background prepared me to form relationships with the students I serve, and some of my them stay in touch with me years after they graduate. I enjoy reading, writing, and spending time with family and friends.
Robin Giacin
Student Services Specialist
rgiacin@pensacolastate.edu
I earned both a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and a Master’s degree in Counseling and Psychology from Troy University. Since 1997, I have served as a Student Services Specialist with the Educational Opportunity Center. Throughout my career, I have gained extensive experience in student advising, career counseling, career center management, employment counseling, and job coaching. In my current role, my primary goal is to support prospective students through the process of applying, enrolling, and completing post-secondary education at the college or university of their choice. I am passionate about helping students explore and follow their passions as they make important decisions regarding their careers and education.
Jeremie Samuel
Student Services Specialist
jsamuel@pensacolastate.edu
I attended Florida State University and earned a bachelor’s degree in English. Shortly after graduating college, I entered the field of education. As an educator in Escambia County, I taught English Language Arts and Reading at the middle and high school grades. I am also a published author and my first book, “The Moorish Essence of Pensacola” is archived at the UWF Historic Archives. Besides writing, my other hobbies are playing the conga drums, tutoring, and coaching. I enjoy coaching football and helping the youth achieve success on and off the field. I was a first-generation student, and I am motivated to assist others through that process. In my position as a student service specialist, I can apply my skills and passion towards helping students obtain their academic goals and plan for careers.
Elizabeth Mimms
Student Services Specialist
emimms@pensacolastate.edu
With over 20 years of experience in higher education advising, I am excited to join the TRIO Educational Opportunity Center. My mantra, “empowering individuals to reach their own definition of success,” guides my work as a Student Services Specialist. I focus on helping a diverse range of traditional and non-traditional students navigate academic and career progression through a learner-centered, non-judgmental approach. Originally from Mobile, AL, I have spent 20 years in Salt Lake City, where I earned degrees in Political Science and Women’s Studies from the University of Utah and a Master’s in Organizational Leadership with an emphasis on Adult Education from Waldorf University. Driven by an activist spirit, I am dedicated to building relationships and collaborating with students, faculty, and community members to enhance educational opportunities for low-income and first-generation students.
Tina Clapper
Administrative Assistant/Data Manager
I am a first-generation college student. While pursuing my AA degree, I started working with the Educational Opportunity Center in 2013 as a temporary Data Entry Clerk. I was hired as a full-time Career Service employee in December 2019 and shortly thereafter in December 2020, I received my BAS in Business Administration/Human Resource Management. Outside of work, I am dedicated to volunteering at my church. When I’m not assisting in the kitchen, I am serving on the leadership panel of a 12-step recovery program. My free time is spent with my grandkids and family.
Tashara Cooper
Data Assistant
Born and raised in Pensacola, Florida, I have worked for the EOC program for almost two years. One aspect of working with EOC program that I enjoy doing is guiding students toward the appropriate individual who can provide them with information regarding colleges. Apart from being a busy mother, I also registered my daughter in extracurricular activities while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Business and Management concentration in Organizational Administration. Additionally, I have finished my Business Administration degree in Associated Science. While I’m not at work I do enjoy walking, swimming, ice skating, and roller skating are other recreational sports.
If you are interested in speaking with a Student Specialist at the Educational Opportunity Center call: (850) 484-1961 or contact us via email at: eoc@pensacolastate.edu
District Office
PSC Pensacola Campus
1000 College Boulevard
Building 6, Room 610
Email: eoc@pensacolastate.edu
(850) 484-1961
Outreach Locations
- PSC Century Center
- PSC Milton Campus
- PSC South Santa Rosa Center
- PSC Warrington Campus
If you are interested in speaking with the Educational Opportunity Center at one of the outreach locations, call (850) 484-1961 or contact us via email at eoc@pensacolastate.edu.
News & Reviews
“Taking advantage of the services offered by the EOC has been one of the greatest tools I have utilized to be a successful student. Most importantly, having the same individual looking out for me and encouraging me to not give up is priceless.” — EOC Client
“Everything was very well explained and detailed. My EOC Specialist was overwhelmingly courteous, patient and extremely forth coming with easy to understand explanations of every aspect of the financial aid and admissions process adding on much needed referrals. The service was aces all around. Thank you so much.” — EOC Client
“I was very nervous about starting school after being out over 20 years. The EOC staff here were beyond helpful. All of my questions were answered and answers to questions that I didn’t even ask were given. I am very thankful that the staff was helpful.” — EOC Client
“My EOC Specialist was GREAT. I’m super excited to get in school. I was close to giving up.”
In The News
Grant program helps PSC student succeed
PENSACOLA, Fla. (WEAR) — Two million dollars is on the way to Pensacola State College (PSC) to help students break the barriers that keep them from enrolling. To understand the difference the program can makes, meet Tawada English, who got her GED and started college at the age of 40.
When English went back to school, she was practically starting from scratch. “I was so overwhelmed, I was so overwhelmed, I was a nervous wreck,” English said….
In The News
Pensacola State graduate has EOC staff in his corner, makes cornerback at UF
Like many high school athletes, Robert Clay had aspirations for a college sports career. His lifelong dream was to play football at the University of Florida, but the odds were stacked against him. No one in Clay’s immediate family had ever attended college. Not only that, but according to the NCAA, less than 3 percent of high school football players advance to a Division I program. After graduating from Pine Forest High School in 2014, Clay remained undeterred by the odds, even though he knew he wasn’t quite for a large university.
