EOF Program Transforms Dreams into Reality

Brookdale Community College Student’s Journey through the EOF Program

At Brookdale Community College, the Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) program plays a pivotal role in transforming the lives of many students. One such success story is Joceline Herrerra-Munoz, a recent graduate who shared her journey and highlighted the impact of the EOF program on her academic and career aspirations.

Joceline’s journey to Brookdale began two years ago. “I’ve been at Brookdale for two years and graduated in May. I’m transferring to Rutgers in Newark to pursue a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, and then law school” she shared.

At Brookdale, Joceline earned an associate degree in criminal justice, laying the foundation for her future aspirations. “My goal is to become a prosecutor,” she confidently stated.

Her journey included an incredible experience at Seton Hall University School of Law Summer Institute for Pre-Legal Studies (Pre-Legal), an opportunity offered through the EOF program. “I applied for Pre-Legal because it was designed for EOF students to help them learn about a career in law. It taught us how to speak and write professionally,” she explained.

The Pre-Legal Program proved to be a transformative experience for Joceline. “I met professors who worked as federal court prosecutors and defendants, providing me with invaluable insights,” she said. The highlight was participating in a moot court, where she presented a case to federal judges. “This experience made me more excited about pursuing a career in law,” she added.

As a bilingual student fluent in Spanish, English, and Thai, Joceline faces unique challenges. “Since I’m a bilingual student, I want to focus on improving my English, especially since I speak three languages. Instead of taking the Rutgers three year program to Law School, I prefer to take an extra year to improve my language skills while advancing my criminal justice career,” she shared.

Joceline loves helping others, which she showed through her work at the EOF office. She helped other students, especially those with language barriers. “I worked at the EOF office, translating for students who spoke Spanish fluently and guiding them through the application process. In the future, I also want to volunteer with disability services and help ESL (English as a Second Language) students,” she said.

“A fun fact about the Pre-Legal Program is that all EOF students from all NJ colleges and universities can apply. I met students from Rutgers, Montclair, and TCNJ (The College of New Jersey), and I met truly diverse people in a wonderful and incredible way. It was a great networking experience.”

Throughout her journey, the support of Brookdale’s EOF office and her professors was crucial. “They encouraged and guided me through the process of applying, and I got accepted and earned my certificate,” she said proudly.

As Joceline gets ready to start at Rutgers in the fall, her experiences at Brookdale and through the EOF program have given her the skills and confidence to achieve her dreams. Her story shows how education can change lives and how programs like EOF help students overcome challenges and reach their full potential.

Brookdale Community College and the EOF program provide the education and pathways to achieving dreams and making a difference in their communities. For more information about admission to the EOF program at Brookdale, visit the website.