Delta Educational Opportunity Center (DEOC) is a participant-focused center of excellence that serves as an invaluable resource for underrepresented and disconnected populations. We seek to empower families in the Mississippi Delta who have continually suffered generational oppression for lack of knowledge. We are advocates for change who actively bridge the gap between dreams and achievements. DEOC cultivates hope where despair once lived and ruled. We share. We connect. We learn. We grow. We change lives.
The mission of the Delta Educational Opportunity Center is to increase the awareness of postsecondary educational opportunities available to low-income and economically-disadvantaged adults, 19 and older, who desire to pursue a postsecondary education and to assist with postsecondary institution enrollment. DEOC further seeks to provide like services to current high school students and others under the age of 19 who cannot be adequately served by Talent Search, another federal TRIO program. Our vision is to become the networking hub for all Delta area Adult Basic Education programs and colleges/universities for increased enrollment in postsecondary institutions. DEOC does not represent any one college but represents and advocates for the participant with all colleges and universities.
For FY 2020, there were 139 EOCs funded in the U.S. at $54,926,989 serving 192,530 participants. The program provides counseling and information on college admissions to qualified adults who want to enter or continue a program of postsecondary education. The program also provides services to improve the financial and economic literacy of participants. An important objective of the program is to counsel participants on financial aid options, including basic financial planning skills, and to assist in the application process.
Services are provided to 1,000 participants in 12 Delta Counties: Bolivar, Coahoma, Holmes, Humphreys, Issaquena, Leflore, Quitman, Sharkey, Sunflower, Tallahatchie, Tunica, and Washington.
