STEP: About

STEP is based on the belief that with positive reinforcement and membership in a special supportive community of learners, college students from low income and under-represented groups will be successful in the science, engineering and technology fields. STEP consists of a wide range of interrelated programs, services and activities which support the academic, personal and professional development of the student.

STEP's current programs, services and activities:

ELIGIBILITY
The primary goal of STEP is to increase the pool of underrepresented groups within the fields of science, engineering and technology. Participation in STEP is open to incoming freshmen, and current Stevens undergraduates. Students receiving a New Jersey Educational Opportunity FUND (EOF) financial aid award are also members of STEP

APPLICATION PROCESS
Pre-freshmen and transfer students must complete the Stevens Undergraduate Admissions application, and admissions process. Current first and second year Stevens undergraduates must submit a STEP application form which is available in the STEP office

The Bridge Summer Program offers incoming freshmen transitional academic and social experience. It gives the students a preview of the academic demands of Stevens, helps them begin to develop new friendships and relationships, and adjust to a different environment

Bridge is an intense residential program conducted from the last Sunday in June through the first Friday in August. The program features a simulation of the fall semester with academic instruction in the core technical courses of the first semester. The students reside in the residential halls Sundays through Fridays, attend classes Mondays through Fridays and have full access to the campus' recreational and social facilities.

Bridge is not remedial. It is fast paced and challenging. The curriculum includes academic coursework (e.g. Calculus, Computer Programming, etc.) based on the fall semester's curriculum, strategies for succuess (e,g. Time Management, Study Skills, etc,) and professional development (e.g. resume writing, etc.). The courses are taught by members of the Stevens academic community, and the students gain first hand experience of the volume of work and high level of performance required by Stevens.

Social activities, including both structured and unstructured events create a balance with the academic portion of the program. Basketball, volleyball, bowling, swimming, movies, etc. are some of the stress relieving activities. Additionally, a staff of upperclassmen (tutor/resident assistants) provides the students with peer support, friendship and supplemental academic assistance. They help the students adjust to the campus, and also share with them a student perspective of the Stevens experience, including the academic and non-academic ingredients for success.

New friendships and relationships, development and/or strengthening of academic skills, and establishing academic contacts are among the major benefits of participating in the Bridge Summer experience. The students bond with each other, with the program's administrators and with the program. They begin their first semester comfortable with the campus, with friendships already made and with a support network in place.

The STEP Academic year component continues and expands the services and activities introduced during the Bridge Summer program. It provides a network of interrelated programs, services and activities that support and promote a sense of community among participants. The academic year component serves all STEP students - freshmen through seniors, and fosters links between current and former STEP participants. The students who completed the Bridge Summer program and EOF recipients participate in the Academic Year program.

First year and second year undergraduates who did not participate in the Bridge Summer program are eligible to apply to become members of STEP. Transfer students who were recipients of the New Jersey Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) at their previous institutions, and who will be EOF recipients at Stevens will be members of STEP. They must contact the STEP office prior to enrolling, or within the first 3 weeks of their first semester at Stevens.

The Academic Year programs, services and activities:

STEP also works closely with, supports, advises and provides a home base for four student run organizations - The Black Student Union (BSU), The Latin American Association (LAA), The National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE).