Mission & Vision

The Buffalo Educational Opportunity Center (Buffalo EOC) was opened in 1973. The Center is administered by the University Center for Academic and Workforce Development of the State University of New York and is sponsored by the University at Buffalo.

Formed by the merger of the Urban Center and Cooperative College Center, its major purpose is to provide instructional programs and supportive services to those who have limited educational and financial opportunities. Specifically, the Buffalo EOC administers quality workforce development, academic training and college preparatory programs to meet the needs of disadvantaged students. The Center strives to equip students with industry-recognized skills that enhance their employability and pathway preparation programming leading to college entry and degree attainment.

We believe in producing lifelong learners who are empowered to believe in their lifelong success. We believe that our students entrust us with providing them with an educational environment that fosters personal growth, intellectual achievement, economic independence and self-sufficiency. In the decades since our inception, the Buffalo EOC has seen thousands of students successfully complete our programs. We ultimately believe in the limitless potential of every student that we are honored to serve.   

The mission of the Buffalo Educational Opportunity Center is to produce adult lifelong learners who are self-directed, empowered, and committed to excellence. Residents of the surrounding Buffalo community are provided a comprehensive, community-based academic and workforce development program and provided support services leading to enhanced employment opportunities, access to further education, personal growth, and development. All skills necessary to become self-sufficient.

Programs and services are structured to adapt to the needs of our students, as well as to the demands of our community and serve as first steps toward the attainment of long-term educational and employment goals.

Our Vision is to maintain a high-quality learning environment, Buffalo EOC will focus on teaching excellence, student learning, career development and technological initiatives. Buffalo EOC will prepare students to demonstrate competency in the following:

• Citizenship
• Computer Literacy and Information Resources
• Critical Thinking
• Mathematics
• Oral Communication
• Professionalism
• Reading
• Writing

The faculty, staff, and community partners of the Buffalo Educational Opportunity Center believes our students entrust us with providing learning experiences that will enhance their life-long success. As we emerge into the 21st century, we are dedicated to fulfilling that trust by providing an educational environment that addresses the needs of an increasingly diverse student population. In pursuit of that environment, we are committed to fostering personal growth, intellectual development, and economic independence.

Our focus is to serve with compassion, dignity, and respect.

• We pursue EXCELLENCE and quality in education and training through collaboration, continuous improvement, student and customer satisfaction and innovation.
• We conduct our work with INTEGRITY, honesty, and fairness and meet the highest ethical and professional standards.
• We accept RESPONSIBILITY for using our resources in a prudent and efficient manner.