The Second-Year Transformational Experience Program (STEP) will be available to students on The Ohio State University at Mansfield campus for the first time next academic year. The program helps students maximize their college success and career opportunities. STEP offers an opportunity for students to form strong faculty connections, receive guided exploration of educational opportunities, and experience concentrated personal and professional development programs.
Through interaction with faculty, students develop tools for life and build essential network connections. By fulfilling the program requirements, students will be eligible to receive a fellowship of up to $2,000 to use towards the STEP Signature Project.
Cynthia Callahan, an English Professor at Ohio State Mansfield, is administrating the induction of STEP on the Mansfield campus. She says, “The program is specifically designed for sophomore students, who now have some college experience but are thinking about trying something new.”
“The STEP program is an opportunity for students to think through their goals and values for their academic and professional career. It shows them how to make those goals a reality during their final years of college.”
- When students become a part of the program they will experience several things:
- Weekly interaction with faculty outside of the classroom
- Engagement with at least three co-curricular programs across campus
- Completion of financial literacy online module and in-person coaching session with finance experts from the Richland county community
- Exploration of six categories of transformational experiences, including study abroad, internships, community service, undergraduate research, leadership, and creative and artistic endeavors
- Creation of written proposal for how students will use up to $2,000 in STEP fellowship to support their experiences
The Columbus campus is extending funding and administrative support for STEP through a three-year pilot program, enabling students to engage in programs and opportunities that may not otherwise be available on regional campuses. The funding also moves with the student if they will have a campus change to Columbus and in most cases will not negatively affect the student’s financial aid package.
Faith Beasley, a freshman dental hygiene major at Ohio State Mansfield, was intrigued by the possibilities of the program. She says, “At first I thought, this would just be something else on my plate. But then, I wanted to look at it as an opportunity for service learning. I have done mission trips, and I did a senior project where I raised money and donated first aid kits to Africa. I want to do something like that, and I think this program will help me.”
So what’s the next step? Learn more through our student blogs at https://u.osu.edu/step/. Ohio State Mansfield students entering their second year in the Autumn 2019 semester can email [email protected] to find out more about the program or sign up at http://go.osu.edu/stepmansfield.
Students are subject to meeting program requirements as well as having the proposal approved.
Source, Photo: The Ohio State University at Mansfield
