At a glance
“To be honored with the Norman McConney Award feels amazing and very rewarding as a recognition that all my hard work paid off throughout my years at Alfred State despite my rough start. All the late nights completing assignments and all-nighters was worth it."
Makala Rachel Saldenha-Raye
Alfred State student Makala Rachel Saldenha-Raye (Brooklyn, NY – Individual Studies) was one of 46 SUNY EOP students honored with the Norman R. McConney, Jr. Award for Student Excellence. The award, now celebrating its third class of awardees, recognizes outstanding EOP students for their academic merit and strength in overcoming significant personal obstacles throughout their lives.
“To be honored with the Norman McConney Award feels amazing and very rewarding as a recognition that all my hard work paid off throughout my years at Alfred State despite my rough start,” commented Saldenha-Raye. “All the late nights completing assignments and all-nighters was worth it. Receiving this award from a minor setback proved that I could accomplish anything I put my mind to and prove everyone wrong since giving up was not an option with the goals and expectations I have in place for myself.”
“I learned to make every moment count and walk in my own path. Nobody is perfect and everyone makes mistakes. It is all about how you pick yourself up and turn it around while not being influenced by negativity or things that aren’t in place to make you succeed.”
The honor is named in memory of Norman R. McConney, Jr. (1946–2016), a graduate of the University at Albany and former assistant dean for special programs at SUNY. McConney, alongside former Assembly Deputy Speaker Arthur O. Eve, helped create the EOP as a statewide program.
Educational Opportunity Program Counselor Shelby Aquilina is incredibly proud of Saldenha-Raye. “I have had the pleasure of working with Makala since she first started as a student at Alfred State in Fall 2020. The growth I have witnessed in her academic and personal life is incredible. We, in EOP, could not be more proud of all that Makala has accomplished and the wonderful things we know are still to come for her. As a graduate of Alfred State College and a forever member of EOP, Makala displays all the qualities we would want to represent our school and our program. We wish you the best in your next adventures and look forward to seeing updates of your accomplishments.”
"When SUNY was founded 75 years ago, the mission was to create an educational environment where all are welcome. For over 50 years, SUNY’s Educational Opportunity Program has worked to make that a reality by helping students, many of whom are the first in their family to go to college, access higher education and see their degrees to completion,” said SUNY Chancellor King. “When I visit our campuses, I am continuously awed and inspired by the dedicated, hardworking EOP students I meet. EOP is a ticket to upward mobility for New York students, which is why I am honored to recognize these students who stand as role models demonstrating what is possible. With the financial support of New York State, and the resources provided at SUNY campuses, New Yorkers have an opportunity to further their education. My congratulations to each awardee for taking that step to go to college and succeed.”
Since its inception in 1967, the EOP has provided access, academic support, and supplemental financial assistance to students from disadvantaged backgrounds, many of whom are the first in their families to attend college. In its 56-year history, the EOP has served more than 80,000 students and evolved into one of the country's most successful college access programs.
About Norman R. McConney, Jr.
SUNY awards Educational Opportunity Program students for their academic achievements in honor of Norman R. McConney, Jr. due to his legacy of public service, which encompassed several statewide initiatives to benefit underrepresented New Yorkers, including programs to prepare minority high school students for careers in the sciences and medicine and scholarships for students underrepresented in the licensed professions. Mr. McConney is also credited with helping found the Black and Puerto Rican Legislative Caucus, which later became the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus.