Lake Superior College has hired Rody Bowers as a TRiO Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) Advisor. Her office is located on the main campus of Lake Superior College in Duluth. Her responsibilities will include recruiting students to participate in the EOC program with the goal of successful college graduation and career readiness.
Bowers brings more than 16 years of experience at Lake Superior College in Academic and Student Affairs, and Workforce Development. Prior to joining Lake Superior College, Rody served as the District Financial Aid Director at Mesabi Range Community & Technical College and Vermilion Community College. In addition, she worked at the University of Minnesota Duluth in the areas of admissions and financial aid. Rody received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota Duluth with a double major in psychology and communication, and a master’s degree in education with a counseling emphasis from the University of Wisconsin-Superior.
EOC provides perspective students with the support to enter or reenter higher education through services such as financial aid counseling and helping with the admissions process. Bowers will work closely with community resources to both recruit and support students in their academic careers.
The Educational Opportunity Center provides community members who qualify in St. Louis, Douglas and Carlton Counties free access to services designed to help them reach a better life through college training and education. The EOC program is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education Programs-TRiO.
Participants will be connected to tutors, mentors and counselors for guidance on admission, financial aid and postsecondary course selection. For those who may not have finished high school, help will be offered on secondary school re-entry or high school equivalency exam programs – or other alternative education programs to complete a high school equivalency.
Educational Opportunity Centers also provide services to students traditionally underrepresented in postsecondary education, including students with disabilities, limited English proficiency, and other disadvantaged individuals, such as those who may be homeless, or exiting foster care. The EOCs also serve veterans, military families, formerly incarcerated, and single parent families.
Services provided include: College searches, career choices, financial literacy workshops, understanding financial aid, assistance with FAFSA (Federal and State Financial Aid) applications, loan rehabilitation support, admissions, advising and more.
