Welcome Back Reception reconnects alumni

From SEED Academy ’05 to MOSTEC ’15, the Welcome Back Reception brought together an amazing turnout of OEOP alumni from the greater Boston area, including a number of current freshmen at MIT. Photo: Zack Messick

Nearly 100 alumni and former program staff members were in attendance at the event, held at the Broad Institute. Photo: Ann Singer

OEOP Executive Director Eboney Hearn and McCoy Patino (MITES ’15) share a laugh at the reception. Photo: Ann Singer

Giselle Santillana (MOSTEC ’15), Daniel Gonzalez (MOSTEC ’15), Meyling Yi (MOSTEC ’15), and Foli Amaizo (MOSTEC ‘15) come together for a group photo. Photo: Ann Singer

Daniel Gonzalez shares how the OEOP has impacted his life and future. “MOSTEC helped me to prepare for College as well as the application process.” – Daniel Gonzalez (MOSTEC ’15) Photo: Ann Singer

“The OEOP inspired me to aim higher and believe in myself.” – Meyling Yi (MOSTEC ’15) Photo: Ann Singer

“OEOP was the catalyst to my love for engineering.” – Sonny Diep (STEM, MITES ’15) Photo: Ann Singer

2016 MITES and E2 TA, Elena Alberti (E2 ’14) explains what brought her back to work with the OEOP this past summer. “I decided to work for the OEOP because I wanted to give students the same opportunities that I had!” Photo: Ann Singer

“Being exposed to diversity and learning about different engineering fields, I am also thankful and delighted to be fortunate to be part of the SEED Academy, the second class to start the program in 2002.” – Wayne Williams (SEED Academy ’05)” Photo: Ann Singer

By Zack Messick

On September 30th, 2016, OEOP alumni, staff, and advisory board members celebrated the beginning of another school year in Boston by coming together at the annual Welcome Back Reception. The event, held at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard served as an opportunity for alumni and staff to reconnect with former classmates and instructors as well as meet the newest members of the OEOP family.

With the occasion marking one of Eboney Hearn’s first opportunities to introduce herself as the OEOP’s new Executive Director, guests greeted by her words of welcome and enthusiasm in looking to the future of MITES, E2@MIT, MOSTEC, and SEED. As the night progressed and guests continued to mingle, Hearn was able to make her rounds, sharing stories with alumni dating back to SEED Academy’s class of 2002.

In looking again to the OEOP’s future, Eboney Hearn introduced Communications Director and Alumni Coordinator, Meredith Lawrence to the podium. Lawrence took the podium to introduce the launch of OEOP Connect, an exciting new networking and job platform. The career building site, which hosts job opportunities and resume tips, offers MITES, E2, MOSTEC, SEED, and STEM participants to register and begin connecting with each other, corporate sponsors, and OEOP staff.

As the event came to a close, it became clear that both OEOP Connect and the Welcome Back Reception both signal our hope to continue maintaining the strong relationships we’ve developed with alumni over the years. Thank you to all members of our OEOP family that were in attendance.