Since the end of March, Rukayat Balogun has been working remotely for Facebook as a site logistics analyst, overseeing staff that maintain the servers and the facility, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. She will move to the Atlanta area in July for this position, which came her way last fall when a fellow student in NJIT’s Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) introduced Balogun to a visiting Facebook recruiter. The company flew her down south for what turned out to be a series of video interviews, followed by a bit of a wait.

By the end of this month, Rukayat Balogun will be working at Facebook as a site logistics analyst, overseeing staff that maintain the servers and the facility, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. She will be located just outside of Atlanta for this new position, which came her way last fall when a fellow student in NJIT’s Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) introduced Balogun to a visiting Facebook recruiter. The company flew her down south for what turned out to be a series of video interviews, followed by a bit of a wait.

Crystal Smith has been appointed director of NJIT’s Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), effective July 1, 2019. Smith is responsible for EOP’s overall administration and supervision, which involves collaborating and coordinating with many universitywide departments and offices. She also sees to programs under the auspices of EOP, including the Black Engineering Technology Alumni Association, the Minority Engineering Program and the Garden State Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation.

When NJIT holds its 103rd Commencement May 21, more than 100 Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) seniors will officially move on from their undergraduate study to begin the next chapter in their lives. While their plans after EOP may differ, the four years they’ve shared in the program provided them all with a uniquely supportive and familial environment.

Here, we take a look at where just a few are going.

Gloria Brewster

“We saw when you came in as freshmen, and you thought you knew it all. Then you realized after the first week of the summer program, do I really know anything?” reminisced Crystal Smith, interim director of NJIT’s Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), while addressing EOP graduating seniors, their parents and university staff and faculty. “And then you made it through to this awards ceremony for us to celebrate you.”