2003 Fall, vol. 20, no. 8

The Southeastern Association for Educational Opportunity Personnel Program (SAEOPP) is a nonprofit organization, established in 1978, designed to promote and support equal education opportunity and access to postsecondary education. SAEOPP membership embraces eight states – Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The purpose of SAEOPP is to bring together into a work and study community those persons who have an active interest in or who are professionally involved in broadening accessibility to and success in formal postsecondary education. With professional development, networking, research and advocacy, SAEOPP provides TRIO personnel and others with the necessary skills and techniques to assure that the least advantaged have equal access to higher education through its federal programs. The Federal TRIO Programs are educational opportunity outreach programs designed to motivate and support students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Some of the programs include talent searches, Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math and Science, Veterans Upward Bound, Student Support Services, and Educational Opportunity Centers.

The SAEOPP Archives was established in 1984 and in 2002 named in honor of Clara Hewitt, a founding member, leader and the first archivist of SAEOPP. The Clara Hewitt SAEOPP Archives houses the historical records of the organization, documenting its advocacy, experiences, achievements and contributions to equity in postsecondary educational opportunity and access for disadvantage students. The Robert W. Woodruff Library of the Atlanta University Center is the repository for SAEOPP that include: minutes, conference and workshop programs, photographs, newsletters, annual reports, and other related historical materials.

For more information about SAEOPP view their web site: www.saeopp.org.