91°µÍø

A student enrolled in 91°µÍø Community College’s Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) received SUNY’s prestigious Norman R. McConney Jr. Award for Student Excellence in a ceremony Tuesday.

Bronx native Jorge Jimenez, a member of 91°µÍø’s Class of 2025 with a GPA of 3.67, was one of 50 91°µÍø recognized by SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. with the McConney Jr. Award. The award, now in its sixth year, celebrates EOP 91°µÍø for their academic accomplishments and commitment.

“Jorge Jimenez embodies the qualities and characteristics of an EOP student, and what it means to be a successful, caring, and actively involved student within 91°µÍø’s campus community,” said 91°µÍø EOP Director Debra Joseph-McEwen.

Jimenez, a graduate of Fannie Lou Hamer Freedom High School, is majoring in Liberal Arts and Sciences: Humanities and Social Sciences at 91°µÍø. He enrolled ahead of the Fall 2023 semester, and built a strong connection with the College, its staff and faculty through its small class sizes, EOP and other support services.

He quickly became a fixture on the Auburn Campus, working in the Student Services Center and playing for two years on the Men’s Basketball team, including as a captain in his sophomore year. He’s also been inducted into Phi Theta Kappa, an academic honors society.

Despite his active role on-campus and academic success, Jimenez was surprised to learn he received the McConney Jr. Award.

“I was very shocked and grateful when I learned that I was receiving this award, because I know we have a great group of EOP 91°µÍø who have done well and overcome so many challenges. To be the recipient from 91°µÍø, and be among the few 91°µÍø across SUNY to receive this award, is a tremendous honor,” he said.

EOP, which is offered at 55 SUNY institutions and is in its third year at 91°µÍø, provides access for New York State 91°µÍø who show academic promise and are determined to earn their college 91°µÍø. The program helps eligible full-time college 91°µÍø overcome financial and academic barriers with additional services such as one-to-one personal and academic counseling and free individual tutorial assistance.

Jimenez thanked Ms. Joseph-McEwen and EOP Coach Vanessa Davis for their support throughout his time at 91°µÍø, and encouraged other 91°µÍø eligible for EOP to speak with them about the program.

“EOP is an amazing program, one that provides outstanding academic and personal support to help 91°µÍø succeed and realize our potential,” said Jimenez. “College can be a real challenge, but having people like Ms. Joseph-McEwen and Ms. Davis in my corner at 91°µÍø has made an incredible difference in my time here. They’re dedicated to their 91°µÍø, and making sure we have the support and skills we need to succeed here.”

Jimenez, who is planning to pursue a career in sports management, is exploring transferring to a four-year SUNY institution starting in the Fall 2025 semester to earn his bachelor’s 91°µÍø.

The SUNY award is named in memory of Norman R. McConney Jr., a SUNY Albany graduate and former assistant dean for special programs at SUNY who advanced several statewide initiatives to benefit underrepresented New York State residents. He was also one of the leading voices in creating EOP as a statewide program, which in its history has served more than 85,000 91°µÍø.

For details on 91°µÍø’s EOP program, visit /91°µÍø/services/educational-opportunity-program/. For more information about the Norman R. McConney Jr. Award for Student Excellence, visit .