Education Oppportunity Center

Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) uses established partnerships with Richland County educational offices, local businesses, and a variety of social agencies to provide assistance to adults ( at least 19 years of age) who want to begin or continue a postsecondary education. EOC offers its services at no cost, with the goal of increasing the accessibility of a postsecondary education for all of its adult participants.

These services include:

  • Academic and Career Counseling
  • High School Equivalency and GED Assistance
  • College Admissions Information and Assistance
  • Financial Aid Information and Application Assistance
  • Financial Literacy Information
  • Referral Services

Educational Opportunity Center Sites

USC -TRiO Main Office
Violette Hunter or Philip Blackwell
1400 Wheat Street, Columbia, SC 29208
803.777.5127; Hours: M-F 8:30 am-5:00 pm

Lower Richland Community Center
April Ruff
117 Henry Street, Eastover, SC 29044
803.353.3243; Hours: M-F 8:30 am-5:00 pm

Richland County Department of Social Services
Angela Bishop
3220 Two Notch Road
803.735.7124; Hours: M-F 8:30 am - 5:00 pm

Midlands Workforce Center, “One-Stop” Shop
Joe Rice
900 Taylor Street, Columbia, SC 29201
803.737.0743; Hours: M,W,F 8:30 am-5:00 pm

Columbia Housing Authority
Gay Ferguson
Cecil Tillis Center
2111 Simpkins Lane, Columbia, SC 29204
803.376.6214; Hours: M-F 8:30 am-5:00 pm

C. R. Neal Dream Center
April Ruff
2430 Atlas Road, Columbia, SC 29209
803.695.4196; Hours: T, Th 8:30am-5:00pm

Alternate Sites:
Eastover Department of Social Services
Richland County Probation, Pardon and Parole Office
Richland One Adult Education
Richland Two Adult Education
Watkins Pre-Release Center

EOC In The Community

  • College Goal Sunday Presentation @ SC Regional Education Center Coordinators Retreat
  • EOC Orientation Presentation to Richland One Shelter/Agency Advisory Committee
  • Magic Johnson Community Center Workshop
  • Bibleway Outreach
  • Benedict Service Learning Workshop
  • Guidance Counselor Advisory Committee Meeting/Kenneth Shuler
  • Piedmont Tech Student Support Services
  • OSP/Gamecock Guarantee Financial Aid Workshop
  • College Goal Sunday Financial Aid Workshop
  • Urban League Parents
  • SC ETV - Finding Money for College 2010
  • College 101 CR Neal Dream Center
  • St. Lawrence Place
  • Dent Middle School Financial Aid Workshop
  • Gleamns Headstart
  • Lower Richland Swampfest
  • WIS TV Job Fair
  • Sanders Elementary Community Fair
  • Strong Threads
  • ITT Tech Career Day
  • Sweet Potato Festival
  • First Nazareth Baptist Church Career Fair
  • Ridgewood/Eau Claire Community Festival
  • Remington College Career Fair
  • Women’s Shelter Clean-up and Repair
  • Midlands Workforce Partner Luncheon
  • JP Holley Lower Richland Community Meet and Greet
  • TRIO Staff Holiday Social
  • TRIO Clothes Drive
  • Eastover Senior Citizens Valentine’s Day Party
  • USC Center for Child and Family Studies African American History Program
  • Columbia Housing Authority Hall of Fame Program
  • Bean Bag Therapy
  • Trident Technical College EOC 30-year Celebratory Program
  • USC EOC Awards Program