Fifty years ago, Stevens Institute of Technology started the Stevens Technical Enrichment Program (STEP); in this time, the program has seen rapid, positive growth. STEP started out as a pre-college program and has grown into an organization that engages current Stevens students as well as potential future students. Stevens’ fourth President, Jess Davis, created STEP to address the underrepresented and low-income students in STEM. The program’s primary goal was to help members gain skills and knowledge to become eligible for acceptance into competitive universities. This academic year, the STEP program has 190 undergraduate members.
Every summer, STEP conducts a six-week-long residential program for incoming freshmen. Known as “Bridge,” the summer program gives students time to gain a preview of Stevens courses and residential life, while helping them build new friendships and relationships with faculty, staff, and peers. This allows freshman STEP members to begin their first semester at Stevens with a comfortable sense of college life.
Members of STEP in the Class of 2022 gush about the wonderful experiences they had over the summer. Students grew accustomed to life at Stevens and bonded with their future classmates. The six-week program included a variety of courses the members attended, as well as the opportunity to attend a Mock Career Fair to give students early insight into job preparation. Valentina Bustamante explains, “From the mock career fair to the freshman seminars, we were basically given all the tools to succeed the moment we started the school year.” Although some members of the STEP program initially had reservations about spending their whole summer away from their family and high school friends, they soon fell in love with the program. Bustamante emphasizes this sentiment, saying, “At the beginning […] we felt like our summer was being taken away from us […] but after two weeks we saw the advantages of being a part of STEP and how amazing all the people around us were.” Similar to the size of the freshman class, STEP had a record-setting 58 freshman in the program. Maria Torres, another freshman in the STEP program, says, “Having the opportunity to be a part of STEP enables me to experience college in all aspects: socially, academically, and mentally. Through STEP I saw a lot of amazing things Stevens has to offer.”
STEP also coordinates the Mathematics Immersion Program (MIP). MIP is a three-week summer program for New Jersey college undergraduates who are recipients of a New Jersey Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) grant. The goals of MIP are to help improve students’ confidence in the understanding of general mathematical concepts and the role of mathematics in their daily lives. During the program, students will receive academic assistance and instruction from current Stevens students. Students are also able to live on Stevens’ campus, which allows them to develop friendships with students from other New Jersey colleges.
Recently, a dinner ceremony was held to celebrate STEP’s 50th anniversary and to honor its history, achievements, and plans for a strong future. The evening consisted of the recognization of STEP faculty, alumni, and students. Alumni traveled from as far away as California and Texas, and awards were given to some who have had a lasting impact on STEP. Notably, many alumni of the STEP program spoke highly of the program and shared personal stories of how STEP changed their lives.
During the dinner, there was also discussion of the two new programs that have been created to further enhance STEP’s representation of minority students at Stevens. One will be known as Stevens ACES, which “identifies talented students in underserved communities, providing scholarships for Stevens’ pre-college programs to high school students, tuition scholarships for undergraduates, and other support.” The second program is the A. James Clark Scholars program, which was introduced this semester. The first group of Clark Scholars consists of “23 students from underserved communities and first-generation college students who want to study engineering.” As a goal for the future, STEP wants to solidify its legacy and become a more notable resource at Stevens.
It is clear that to involved Stevens students, STEP means much more to them than just a program they are members of. Osazee Nosa, a freshman student, explains, “STEP is more than just an organization […] STEP is a family.” Additionally, Bustamante explains her perspective on how STEP has impacted her. “In those six weeks, I met some of my closest friends which has created an incredible college experience so far.”
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