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April 29, 2026

by Lauren Ferguson

As underclassmen in the Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) program, Kevin Vellejo ‘28 and Ayden Reed ‘29, are already making a difference on the campus of Ramapo College of New Jersey.

Vallejo, a Data Science major and Information Technology Management minor, from Passaic, NJ, co-founded a chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers at Ramapo. He is also working to form Eden Garden Collective, a group he foresees people from around campus joining to grow their faith in a comfortable, welcoming way.

Reed, a double major in Political Science and Law and Society with a Public Policy minor, from Kearney, NJ, co-founded the Latinx Pre-Law Society on campus, and is involved in the Black Student Union, Association of Latinos Moving Ahead, Academic Policy Council, and Student Government Association (SGA). He recently won the election to become the next SGA vice president.

In recognition of all they have already accomplished on campus, both Vallejo and Reed were presented with the EOF Emerging Leaders Award during the EOF Month proclamation ceremony on campus this year. Each April – during EOF Month – the award is given to first- and second-year EOF scholars who exemplify leadership traits and qualities during their first few years at Ramapo, and who demonstrate going above and beyond as they learn how to navigate college life.

Since 1968, New Jersey EOF programs have ensured access to higher education for state residents coming from backgrounds of economic and educational disadvantage. Ramapo’s program is bolstered by comprehensive support services and alumni connections to promote retention and progress through graduation. It features one-on-one advising, mentoring, academic support programs and tutoring.

Both Vallejo – who has ambitions of entering the field of business analytics – and Reed – an aspiring attorney – sat down for a Q&A to reflect on their time at Ramapo so far, and what EOF and the Emerging Leader Award means to them.

Kevin Vallejo ‘28

Kevin Vellejo ‘28 spoke after receiving the EOF Emerging Leader Award.

Why did you choose to attend Ramapo?

I chose to attend Ramapo firstly, because financial aid was great, but most importantly because of the nice, subtle campus I had a vision for myself growing on.

How has the EOF program impacted you?

There are many ways the EOF program impacted me; every staff member in the EOF office is truly family to me. I couldn’t imagine the person I would’ve been growing to be if it wasn’t for the constant support, mentoring and motivation from the staff to stay resilient and keep going. From a schedule change to a simple hug and a talk about life, EOF is there for me every step of the way.

What do you like most about the EOF program?

What I like most about the program is how the EOF staff brings their authentic selves every day, which welcomes a lot of students on campus to reach out and be involved. Not only that, but the endless opportunities the program brings, whether that is networking, summer jobs, or even events.

What does earning the EOF Emerging Leader Award mean to you?

Earning the EOF Emerging Leader Award means so much to me because not only am I getting recognized for the hard work I’ve been putting in, but I got to speak about how I feel when it comes to making Ramapo a better place for future generations to come. The award I got was definitely one of my greatest life accomplishments and there’s no doubt, but what was better to me was being able to speak what was on my heart to students, peers, professors, advisors, tutors and everyone else that attended the proclamation reading.

What does leadership mean to you?

Leadership means a lot to me, because I look at it as a big privilege. People are looking at you in many different ways. How you may handle situations, what you do on your off time, how you manage yourself with many responsibilities. So trying to give people who look at me as a leader a perspective is … important because I am basically an influence in their life.

Ayden Reed ‘29

Ayden Reed ’29 holds his EOF Emerging Leader Award.

Why did you choose to attend Ramapo?

I chose to attend Ramapo because it felt welcoming even when I just came to visit on a tour. I knew Ramapo would give me the chance to grow academically and personally. I also believed it was a place where I could challenge myself while building meaningful connections. I also liked the idea of critical thinking, and being taught how to think, not what to think. It was also a place where I saw I could do anything I wanted as long as I put my mind to it. Ramapo has many organizations and clubs so I was able to see where I belonged and that’s when I knew I could be a student leader.

How has the EOF program impacted you?

The EOF program impacted me because it made me find my place at Ramapo. It made me realize that growth doesn’t happen overnight and sometimes things take time especially finding out the person you will become … And it made me become a true student leader. The EOF advisors impacted me because they always guided me and always supported me through everything. EOF gave me a chance at an education, something I will never take for granted. EOF is a strong community, it’s an extension of family.

What do you like most about the EOF program?

What I like most about the EOF program is all the connections I made along the way. I have such an amazing support system behind me that I know I don’t have to go through anything alone. It has made me feel encouraged to keep going … EOF is more than just a program, it’s a guide to success because everyone including the advisors want you to always do your best and excel in anything you do.

What does earning the EOF Emerging Leader Award mean to you?

Earning the EOF Emerging Leader Award means a lot to me because it shows that my hard work and growth have been recognized. It reminds me that you are not alone in anything you do and there will always be someone supporting you. It means that anyone could be a leader and I was able to represent my class for the Emerging Leader Award. What I mentioned in my speech was that I wasn’t standing there as an award recipient, I was standing there as a Ramapo college student and EOF scholar because I just want the best for everyone.

What does leadership mean to you?

Leadership … is about setting an example. Being a leader means reaching others to their full potential without it benefiting you. I’m always cheering on people to succeed because that’s what it means to be a leader. A strong leader listens and encourages people to do their best and uses their voice and actions to make a true difference.

For more information on the EOF program at Ramapo, visit the EOF webpage.