BINGHAMTON, NY – Binghamton University Vice President for Student Affairs Brian Rose announces that Calvin Gantt has been appointed director of Binghamton’s Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), effective Feb. 12. Gantt comes to Binghamton from his position as director of the Access Opportunity Programs (AOP) at SUNY Geneseo.

"The EOP director is a critical position, and my charge to the search committee was that they be guided not by any time frame, but by the responsibility to find a leader worthy of our outstanding EOP students, our dedicated and talented EOP staff, and our passionate and loyal EOP alumni," said Rose. "I was delighted with their recommendation of Calvin Gantt, a member of the Binghamton EOP family and an experienced EOP director accustomed to a highly competitive student body.

"I am confident Calvin will continue to build on the work of Randall Edouard, Vanessa Young and all his predecessors such that Binghamton’s EOP program will continue to be a source of pride and distinction for the entire University community," Rose added.

Gantt stood out as a candidate due to his long and deep experience in EOP, first as a Binghamton University EOP student and due to his 16 years of leadership in EOP administration positions, said Search Committee Chair John Frazier, distinguished service professor of geography. "Not surprisingly, he impressed the entire search committee as being well-informed, eager to interact directly with students and learn from the highly professional Binghamton staff, and with ideas to elevate our program," Frazier said. "Calvin spoke of the need to raise the state and national visibility of our highly successful program and of his desire to raise external funds in support of EOP activities. He is an excellent choice who will maintain our strong tradition while adding creativity for an even brighter future."

"I am honored and thrilled at the opportunity to return to my alma mater," said Gantt. "As an alumnus of Binghamton University, I hope my return is a testament to the fact that not only does EOP provide a sound foundation for the students it serves, but also that Binghamton University provides each student with the skills necessary to impact change both locally and internationally. I look forward to playing a role in helping the University in becoming the premier public university it strives to be."

As AOP director at Geneseo, a position Gantt had held since 2007, he had responsibility for all aspects of program management including admission and recruitment; budgeting; comprehensive program evaluation; annual parent and student orientations; summer program planning; hiring of faculty staff and students for the summer program; supervision of staff; and collaboration with offices across the campus. Prior to serving as AOP director at Geneseo, he had been the program’s assistant/associate director for eight years. He also has three years’ experience as a counselor and coordinator of disability services for Monroe Community College.

A recipient of the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service in 2012, Gantt earned his bachelor’s degree from Binghamton University in 1992, his master’s degree in counselor education with a concentration in multicultural counseling from SUNY Brockport and his EdD in higher education administration from the University of Rochester.