*TEN Years of Impact*
Learn About Our 10th Year Initiatives
GRADUATION CORDS |
FUND A STEP MENTOR
|
In honor of our 10th year we have purchased orange and white graduation cords for all our 2023 STEP graduates and beyond! We celebrated our grads on May 2 and 3 with a drop-in photo booth along with refreshments.
Congratulations graduates! (If you are graduating and did not pick up your cord, please email [email protected].) |
As many of you know we rely on work study funds to help support our peer mentors. Often our peer mentors’ financial aid packages change for various reasons and there are not always enough work study funds to support a mentor for the full academic year. This STEP 10th Year Crowdfunding campaign is designed to honor the work of our many wonderful and dedicated mentors who have invested countless hours in their mentees and the program over the last decade. These funds will help provide some stability for our staff for the next several years. Please consider supporting this cause as we seek to reach our goal of $2500 by our Reunion Reception in June.
Learn more here: https://crowdfunding.salemstate.edu/ 2022-2023 STEP Peer Mentor of the Year: MAEVE CARSON!! "The relationships and connections they have formed with their mentees coupled with the kindness and care they show for every mentees situations just goes to show what an exceptional mentor they are...going above and beyond to encourage and reassure the mentees as well as making sure they are supported with resources and anything they may need." “They have kept me on my feet all semester and dedicated time to help me with what ever I needed and became a really good friend to me. They are so generous, supportive and kind and will make it their mission to see that everything is going well and smoothly.” CONGRATULATIONS, MAEVE!!! |
Meet the Team Helping Celebrate our Success
STEP's 10th Year Planning Committee:
Keliana Doyle, MS (STEP Mentor G‘21), Residence Director at Bentley University Tim Erickson-Oberg, M.Ed. HESA (STEP Coach and SSU G’20) Staff Assistant Disability Services SSU)) Nikisha Jose, M.Ed (STEP Coach and SSU G ‘20) Provider Assistant, Boston Children's Hospital Mukala Kabongo (STEP Mentor, SSU G‘15) TV Production Teacher, Lynn English High School Courtney Lillie, M.Ed (STEP Mentor, SSU ’17 G’19) Emanuel Quiroz Martinez (STEP Coach and SSU G’23) ESOC Program Manager Gisady Mendoza (STEP Mentor and SSU G’23) Chemistry Undergraduate Student of the College of Arts and Sciences @ Salem State University, Senior Resident Assistant of Viking Hall Megan Wigton, MA, MEd HESA, (Current STEP Coordinator and SSU G’13) Assistant Director, Student Success and the First Year Experience Office, Salem State University |
STEP means so much to me; I cannot imagine the person I’d be without it. I have been able to meet so many different individuals, experienced personal growth, and get so many opportunities on campus. The leadership skills I developed as a peer mentor I will carry with me forever.”
- Gisady Mendoza G'23, Chemistry
Hear What Students are Saying about STEP
“When I was first accepted into the STEP program as an incoming freshman, I had no idea how much being a part would drastically enhance my college experience. Through a low-pressure environment, socially and academically focused events, and most importantly the relations built along the way, it has propelled me to become not only the student but person I am today!”
-Max Grayton '18, Sports and Movement Sciences “STEP is an amazing program that I would highly recommend to any incoming freshmen. My freshman year had a rough start but I felt so much better about it because I had my Peer Mentor, Academic Coach, and numerous other people in the program who were always there to listen to my problems and help me find the right resources on campus to resolve them. I got constant support that was catered to me and it made me feel so much more welcomed on campus. Without STEP, I probably still wouldn't be at Salem State.”
- Sydney Adie '20, Media and Communications |
“In all honesty, I was terrified to come into college. Excited by the freedom, but frightened at the idea of responsibility. I joined STEP because I wanted to get through my first year okay but I got so much more than that. I got a family of individuals who believe in me, comforted me, enlightened me, encouraged me and most importantly guided me. STEP is truly just one of those experiences you never want to miss out on.”
- Jane Njeri '20, Business Administration “Being a commuter student and not familiar with Salem, STEP has really been a huge help in my college career. It has helped me find a home away from home, and an amazing support system to keep me on track. It helped me find a way to fit in at SSU and made me realize that I am never alone; that there is always someone out there who cares and is rooting for me to succeed.”
- Aminata Keita '20, World Languages and Culture, Concentration in French |