Last spring 40-year-old Michael Palomo entered Western Nebraska Community College (WNCC) to pursue a degree in education thanks to the assistance of the AIM Institute's Educational Opportunity Center. Palomo hopes to one day teach and coach high school students.  
   
More than 600 students will enter or continue college this fall after receiving critical advisement services from the Scottsbluff-based EOC. Serving a 12-county area in western Nebraska, the center provides services to eligible persons — high-school seniors, graduates and non-graduates — who are interested in exploring career-change opportunities or who need assistance in applying to college.

Eli Aguilar, coordinator of the Scottsbluff EOC program, says during its seven-year history the center has helped more than 1,000 people annually assess their career interests, search for financial assistance, and navigate the college-entrance process. There is no charge for the center's services. 

The EOC is conveniently housed with a WNCC computer lab, through which clients can fill out applications via the Internet as well as receive basic computer classes. "Learning how to use the Internet and basic computer software can provide an important first step for people who might be intimidated by college classes," Aguilar says. 

Word spreads about the services the EOC provides, as it did within the Palomo family. Michael was inspired to finish his degree by his brother, Daniel, who initially came to the EOC for assistance in 2006. Personal issues had forced Daniel to drop out of school 20 years earlier despite a full athletic scholarship. In May 2009 Daniel graduated from WNCC with an associates degree, enabling him to begin a career as a corrections officer. 

“My brother Danny motivated me to finish what I started many years ago,” Michael says. “I want a career and not just a job. One day I would like to coach youth in sports.”

Not all EOC service recipients wait so long to pursue their education. Alicia Dominguez initially visited the center during her high school senior year. The EOC assisted Dominguez in mapping out a plan to pursue her dream to become an immigration lawyer. Alicia completed the first leg of her journey this spring by earning her Criminal Justice associates degree from WNCC. This fall Dominguez will transfer to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to pursue her bachelor’s degree with plans to go on to law school.

Aguilar says he finds his work very satisfying. Himself a former recipient of EOC services, Aguilar says people come back to let him know how thankful they are for the center’s help in getting them started on their college education.

“These people are going to contribute to the community,” Aguilar says.

The EOC program is funded through a Department of Education TRiO grant. For more information about the program, please contact: