New EOP Director, Joseph Weinstein. Photo Credit: Philip Mauro.
SUNY Old Westbury has announced Joseph Weinstein as the new Director of the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP).
Weinstein previously served as the Director of the St. Thomas Aquinas Student Support Services Program (TRIO) at Molloy University. He earned his Master of Science in Criminal Justice at Molloy and his Bachelor of Arts degree in English from SUNY New Paltz. Dean Dorothy Escribiano shared Weinstein’s accomplishments at Molloy in an email to the campus community, stating that he “implemented campus-wide first-generation student support programming, developed curriculum and seminars for the First Year Success course, and designed a peer mentor program.” He also “led the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) for five years.”
The new director of EOP begins his day with a cup of coffee and jumps right into his workload. He balances his administrative tasks by providing support to his team so that they can assist the students efficiently. This ensures that he is “giving the right support” and that both he and his team are “accessing the needs of the students” throughout the workday.
Weinstein empathizes with the challenges that some students encounter because he is still a student himself, pursuing a doctorate in Educational Leadership for Diverse Learning Communities. He hopes “to make sure the program is the best that it can be,” ensuring that students receive all the support and opportunities available at Old Westbury.
The Director’s fondness for the students at OW is apparent. When asked about his favorite aspect of the university, he responded promptly with a smile: “The students.” He stressed the significance of comprehending the students’ needs and prioritizing their mental well-being.
Weinstein values family relationships. He is a loving father to his one-year-old son, a devoted husband, and a caring brother to his three sisters. Weinstein believes that the way he treats his family is important. He described himself as a kind person, “the word ‘kind’ has ‘kin’ in its root word.” This reminds him to treat others with the same care and respect that he would show to his own family. He wishes to incorporate this value more into the EOP program.
As a leader, Weinstein aims to be a driving force that motivates and inspires students “to be the best version of themselves.” His goal is to unlock the untapped potential of students that others might overlook. He said: “You’re going to have those moments where you just feel like, ‘I can’t do it’ or you want to give up, and you have to push through that stuff. You have to remember why you’re doing it.”
