NEWBURGH – Mount Saint Mary College has been awarded a $1.6 million Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) grant to be used over the next five years.

The Mount’s Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program is an academic and student support program geared towards traditionally underserved students. Through mentorship, leadership development, academic programs, and financial support, HEOP students are guided through the college transition process.

The Mount’s HEOP is jointly sponsored by the New York State Department of Education and the college.

HEOP is an “integral part of Dominican identity and our dedication to our students and our local community,” said Father. Gregoire Fluet, Interim President of the Mount. “We all look forward to the wonderful things to come from our future HEOP students.”

Alisha McCorvey, assistant vice president for students, became the director of the Mount’s HEOP in October 2023.

“I am so ecstatic to learn the Mount has received the HEOP grant for another five years,” noted McCorvey. “I have always believed that the Mount’s Higher Education Opportunity Program exemplifies how we honor our mission and our Dominican values. For nearly 60 years, the Mount’s HEOP has produced students prepared to better the world and serve our many communities. Our students thrive in this program and I look forward to another five years of creating new opportunities for our students through internships; participation in conferences and professional societies; service; opportunities to study abroad; and much more.”

The Mount’s HEOP program provides funds to assist in the screening and testing of prospective students; structured academic support services including a pre-entry summer program, counseling, tutoring, and remedial/developmental coursework; and supplemental financial and tuition assistance toward their college expenses.

The program addresses students’ needs by introducing them to college expectations via a pre-entry summer program; offering academic, career, financial, and career counseling; providing one-on-one and small-group tutoring; offering remedial, developmental, and support services; and more.

For more information, visit www.msmc.edu.