Tony Cao Li
Brooklyn, NY
Class Of: 2014

Campus: Manhattan
Major: Hospitality Management, B.P.S.

I am a person who has a dream. As an immigrant, I came to the U.S. late. I had to retake high school classes because of problems with transfer credits and the English language. I became an over aged student and went to a special high school that had longer terms and bilingual classes. I learned almost all the knowledge in my first language, Chinese. When the time came to choose a college, I did not know what to do. I was not sure if I could do it if I went to a regular college. The decision was hard for me, but I did not want to go to a community college. I wanted to be a regular student, a normal college student. After a period of time to make the decision, I chose New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) because after visiting the school a few times, I felt great. NYIT has everything I want.

The Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) helped me to reach my dream. My family was not rich, and my parents could not pay the tuition for a private school. HEOP attracted my attention. This program has not only helped me with my tuition problem but also with studying and some personal problems. HEOP helped me to become a regular student. This program has gradually become my second home. I like being a part of this family. The people in HEOP treat you as if you really are family. If you need help, the family is here for you, and I am so proud to be a member.