Deepa Bhalla is helping make NYIT’s mission to provide educational opportunities for all qualified students a reality. She joined NYIT in the summer of 2002 as a tutor for the Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP), a program administered in partnership with the New York State Education Department that assists highly motivated but academically underprepared and economically disadvantaged students successfully transition to college and complete their degrees. In the ensuing years, Deepa has worked as a graduate assistant/tutor in the Learning Center, research assistant, residence hall director, College Success Seminar instructor, and HEOP counselor. She also earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from NYIT in elementary education and instructional technology, respectively, and is currently a master’s candidate in higher and post-secondary education at Columbia University. As an NYIT student, she received several honors, including the Israel Louis Schure Award in recognition of her extracurricular activities and service to the NYIT community. A co-author of the textbook, First Year Experience at NYIT, Deepa was recently promoted to become the director of HEOP. In this role, she is responsible for the program’s financial operations, oversees services such as academic advisement, tutoring, and career and personal counseling, and plans the pre-freshman summer institute. Despite the state's budget and funding challenges, Deepa and her professional team continue to build on the program’s strong foundation and deliver innovative ideas to maximize students’ educational experiences.

How many students are enrolled in NYIT’s HEOP? What are the retention rates?

Eighty students are enrolled for the 2010-2011 academic year. The retention rate of the program is excellent: from 2009-2010 to 2010-2011, the rate is 94.9%; the five-year rate is 88.59%.

What is the HEOP Summer Institute?

It’s an intensive program for pre-freshman that provides academic support and prepares them for the standard NYIT curriculum. It also affords the students time to get socially acclimated to collegiate life and forge long-term friendships.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

I just completed my fourth year working in the program and had the opportunity to see my first incoming class graduate this past May. All of the students entered with academic and financial challenges, so it was wonderful to be able to celebrate the achievement of their educational dreams with them.

What is your favorite book and television show?

Sister of My Heart by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is a book about the extraordinary bond between two Indian sisters. I Love Lucy, a classic comedy show, always makes me laugh.

What would people be surprised to know about you?

I come from a very musically inclined family. I have been a modern and classical Indian dancer for the past 25 years.