Syracuse Resident, Rome Native Named Vice President of Syracuse Educational Opportunity Center

Tim Penix, of Syracuse, was recently hired as vice president of the Syracuse Educational Opportunity Center (EOC).



Penix has worked at Morrisville State College since 1998, most recently as associate vice president for academic enrichment. Throughout his tenure, he served in a variety of capacities including director of multicultural affairs. He also worked as an admissions counselor at the college from 1992 to 1995.



Under his leadership, Penix implemented numerous scholarships for students and administered programs to promote access and diversity, creating the Sheila Johnson Institute and the Academic Enrichment Center on campus. He also directed the college's Collegiate Science Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) and Arthur O. Eve Educational Opportunity Program (EOP).



Prior to working at Morrisville State College, Penix was an admissions counselor at the State University of New York at Plattsburgh from 1989 to 1992.



Active in the community, Penix serves as a member of the Association for Program Administrators of CSTEP and the Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) and the Cornell Pathways to Success Advisory Board, and serves as president of the Council of Educational Opportunity Program Directors.



Additionally, he served on the SUNY Diversity Conference Committee, the Syracuse YMCA of Greater Central New York Board of Directors and is co-founder of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Reach Back Scholarship Program in Rome, N.Y.



In his new position, Penix will be responsible for all aspects of operations at the Syracuse EOC, including instruction, student support services, facility management, personnel and fiscal affairs.



A native of Rome, N.Y., Penix holds a master's degree in administration and leadership and a bachelor degree in mass communications from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh.



The Syracuse EOC, administered by Morrisville State College, provides innovative academic programs leading to higher education and vocational training programs leading to gainful employment and economic self-sufficiency for the urban community of Syracuse.



Penix resides in Syracuse with his wife and three children.