“I’m excited to join a college that values academic success and provides meaningful opportunities for students.”
Guerold Plaisime, ’27, a transfer student now enrolled in the Computer Security Technology Program at Farmingdale State College (FSC), shares what drew him to FSC and its new, Emerge, Strive, Own (ESO) Program.
Welcoming its first cohort of 150 first-year and 100 transfer students this fall, the ESO Program provides personalized services and resources to help incoming students of all majors thrive at FSC and beyond. Program participants who have demonstrated need—including first-generation college students, low-income students, and English language learners—gain exclusive access to holistic wraparound support, such as academic and wellness success coaching, leadership and career development, peer mentoring, learning communities, and interactive workshops and events. By cultivating an inclusive environment, this “one-stop shop” for student opportunities will empower incoming students to emerge with confidence, strive for excellence, and own their academic journey.
“The program feels special and personalized,” said Plaisime. “And as a transfer student, I felt that the program was a great fit for me. I was especially interested in the academic and wellness coaching, early class registration, leadership and career development, and peer mentoring. These services match exactly what I need to succeed. I’m looking forward to fully experiencing the program once school starts…I believe it will make a big difference in my college journey,” he added.
“The thing that drew me into the ESO Program was all the support that was offered,” agreed Piper Godsey, ’29, a visual communications: art and graphic design major. “I’ve taken college-level courses all throughout my high school career, and none of them offered much support of any kind. But my FSC experience so far has been nothing but positive. In meetings with EMERGE staff, they’ve done a wonderful job explaining processes and just the way things work through the program. I’m most looking forward to knowing at least one of the staff members personally, so I don’t feel so new and alone on campus.”
“As our students start their Farmingdale journey, EMERGE serves as the delivery system of hope and community.” Bryan Garcia, director, EMERGE: Office of First-Year and Transfer-Year Experience
The powerful initiative is offered through the College’s newly formed EMERGE (Educational Milestones in Enrollment, Retention, and Graduation Excellence) Office, which is designed to break down barriers that traditionally underserved students may face in pursuing their degrees. The office is funded through a five-year, $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education under the Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program authorized by Title V. The largest in the College’s history, the federal grant is intended to be a transformational change agent for receiving institutions.
“Building EMERGE has been really exciting and rewarding,” said Bryan Garcia, director of EMERGE: Office of First-Year and Transfer-Year Experience. “We’re calling it the front door of the College because our team is essentially creating a home base for every single student. Overall, we want our students to have a clear sense of belonging. They’ll feel that Farmingdale has their back, and they’re going to do meaningful work while they’re here. And that footprint starts with EMERGE.”
As the EMERGE Office expands, it will also offer a fully integrated, campuswide first-year experience course, in addition to a transfer-year experience course, to ease the higher education transition and eventually touch every incoming FSC student. By 2029, EMERGE aims to equitably serve a total of 1,250 students and 100 faculty, building a thriving network of support and mentorship across campus.
“College administration and EMERGE staff have been amazing. Everyone has already jelled really, really well as a team and with our students,” said Garcia. “We are focused on three main connection themes. First, connection to self. Students are going to learn about themselves a bit more and learn how to set goals and embrace challenges. They’re going to make important connections to others, their peers, faculty, and staff. And they’re going to make connections to the broader campus environment. As our students start their Farmingdale journey, EMERGE serves as the delivery system of hope and community.”
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