Student Development and Enrichment Program
STEP Programs
STEP Bridge Summer Program
Bridge is the summer transition for incoming first year students accepted into STEP. It is a mandatory six week residential program (beginning from the fourth Sunday in June and concluding on the first Friday in August).
Mathematics Immersion Program (MIP)
The Mathematics Immersion Program (MIP) is a three-week summer program for New Jersey Undergraduates currently enrolled at New Jersey Colleges and Universities, and who are recipients of a New Jersey Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) grant.
Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF)
EOF is a New Jersey program that provides eligible New Jersey residents with support services and financial assistance to help them realize their higher education goals.
History
In 1968 Stevens Institute of Technology created the Stevens Technical Enrichment Program (STEP) to expand access to engineering and science, and thus help increase the pool of students pursuing careers in these fields. STEP was one of the first programs of its kind in the country; it was Stevens’ response to a national problem and reflected the university’s reputation for innovation.
Jess Davis, Stevens’ 4th President sought private funds to implement a program which would address the continued low number of students in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). He enlisted the help of a group of concerned undergraduates and faculty members who responded by implementing STEP - a Saturday enrichment program and tutoring services for high school students from New York City, Hoboken, Jersey City and surrounding areas. The program contributed to helping these students acquire the skills and knowledge to be eligible for acceptance into competitive universities and technical majors. It also offered a path by which talented local high school students could be admitted to Stevens.
At its inception STEP was a pre-college program for high school students, but its history also has included additional components fully or partially funded by the Federal Government (TRIO Upward Bound Program), New Jersey government (Educational Opportunity Fund - EOF) and private donors, foundations, and corporations (Middle School Program, Accelerated Mathematics Program for high school juniors, and the Bridge and College Programs). Each component contributed to building a “continuous pipeline of support” for students.
Today the Bridge, College and EOF Programs continue STEP’s mission. STEP is an important piece of Stevens past, present and future.