Cyclone Chronicle Interviews Eunice Boyd

Eunice Boyd has been a staff member at Centenary University for the last 20 years. She is currently the Associate Director of the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP). In this time, she has been able to win the hearts of all the students in EOP and beyond.

In all your time working here, you have seen many students come and go. How does it make you feel when students graduate after building such a strong bond with them?

It feels wonderful! It reminds me of the connections built over time. It's very rewarding seeing the students come in with a high school mentality and, then, slowly maturing and becoming the leaders they were always meant to be. 

For example, Osaivbie Igiebor was a typical immature brat during his freshman year but he grew and became more mature and is now one of the figurehead students that others look up to.

Whenever you come into the office you always have a smile on your face and say how happy you are to be here. What about your job do you love so much?

The students! I love seeing the students mature and grow, go outside of their comfort zone, become leaders, and get involved. I also love building strong lifetime bonds with different students because trust is a very big key component in building these relationships.

You have a very big influence on both staff and students on this campus. Everyone is so supportive of each other. Why is that?

I simply make sure to respect everyone, and just being a socially good human being will make sure you have no problems with anyone in life. Also, having a respectful and honest relationship with the students is key to success.

Was there ever an event in your youth or multiple events that shaped you into the person you are today? If so, what were they?

I am an immigrant, and I grew up poor. I lived in a single-parent household, and I saw the financial struggles and how it negatively affected the attitude of my single parent. 

I was determined to change our family’s legacy. I was the first one to go to college even though my eighth-grade teacher told me that I would never make it to college, since my English was not strong at that time. 

Her lack of confidence in my abilities motivated me to work hard and graduate from college. Not only was I in the dean’s list in my undergraduate degree, but I also completed my Masters with a 4.0 GPA. 

Never listen to the “naysayers” who rob people of their dreams. When someone tells me I cannot do something, I make it a mission to prove them wrong. I use it as fuel to accomplish the mission. I believe that one should never give up on their dreams and take the time needed to make it happen. 

Today, I think of myself as a successful professional who loves to help students who come from underprivileged backgrounds change their narrative. Just like how I changed mine. 

I love to give back and make a difference. I am so honored and grateful to work with the EOP students who are amazing and appreciate my efforts. We have built lifetime friendships. They have given me nicknames including ‘Queen,’ ‘the Glue,’ ‘the other mom’ – what an honor!