UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The summer of 2017 will see an expansion of the Student Transitional Experiences Program (STEP), an optional summer program designed for students making the junior-year transition to University Park from another Penn State campus.
The STEP program provides students from all academic colleges a chance to take classes toward their degree while learning about opportunities for student engagement at University Park and meeting other students making the same transition. Students become eligible for the program when they are approved for entrance to their major at University Park.
"The STEP program was a great opportunity to meet new people in a similar position to me," said Victoria Marwick, a Smeal College of Business STEP student. "The summer offered an easy transition to learn how my major worked and find my way around campus. It was a great experience and I was better prepared for the fall semester."
Students in STEP are required to take two courses for a total of six to seven credits. With the help of an academic adviser, they select any two courses during Summer Session II that will help them make progress toward their degree.
Students also participate in the STEP Connect Workshop Series, which helps them connect to campus resources, engaged scholarship opportunities, learn about fiscal responsibility and budgeting, as well as prepare for Fall Career Days. At the end of the summer, they attend a networking social with employers and Penn State alumni.
To complement the academic program, STEP mentors offer co-curricular activities that allow students to socialize and learn their way around campus and the community. The relaxed summer atmosphere also allows students to connect with faculty and staff to have conversations about their academic future.
Additional STEP benefits include a $1,500 Provost’s Award given to all students who are enrolled.
Since its inception in summer 2009, more than 200 students have gone through STEP. To learn more about the STEP program visit summersession.psu.edu/step.
The STEP program is administered by the Office for Summer Session, a unit within Penn State Undergraduate Education. Learn more about Undergraduate Education at undergrad.psu.edu.