{"680346":{"#nid":"680346","#data":{"type":"news","title":"STEP Eases Transfer Transition","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe new \u003Cstrong\u003EStudent Transfer Enrichment Program (STEP)\u003C\/strong\u003E helps transfer students adjust\u0026nbsp; \u2013\u0026nbsp;and thrive within the College of Sciences.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cWe created STEP based on feedback from transfer students who asked for additional support in their first semesters at Tech,\u201d says College of Sciences Program Director\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003ELea Marzo\u003C\/strong\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EProfessor of Biological Sciences and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/cpies\u0022\u003ECenter for Programs to Increase Engagement in Sciences (C-PIES)\u003C\/a\u003E Director \u003Cstrong\u003ELewis Wheaton\u003C\/strong\u003E oversees the program.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cSTEP allows us to focus on the unique needs of a growing population of our College, ensuring they feel connected and understand all the opportunities afforded to them at Georgia Tech,\u201d says Wheaton. \u201cI am thankful to the College of Sciences Advisory Board who stepped up to help fund and build this program that will positively impact so many of our students.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EA pilot program, STEP\u0026nbsp;provides academic support, social engagement, and leadership development to the more than 150 undergraduate students who transfer into the College of Sciences yearly.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ESTEP student\u003Cstrong\u003E Suzanne Sewell\u003C\/strong\u003E, a chemistry major from Milton, Georgia, always dreamed of attending Tech. She transferred from Auburn University to receive in-state tuition and participate in undergraduate research.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cI think STEP is a great program for transfer students because it\u2019s a welcoming environment,\u201d says Sewell. \u201cTaking part in STEP and meeting other transfer students made me feel like I wasn\u2019t on my own, trying to adjust to a new school and classes.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EStepping up\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EStudents are first introduced to STEP through GT 2000, a one-credit-hour class led by Marzo, designed to help incoming transfer students successfully transition to the Georgia Tech community.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EIn addition to weekly discussions, special events and activities focus on how to acclimate to Georgia Tech. In fall 2024, students participated in a tour of the Center for Organic Photonics and Electronics (COPE) research lab, attended a career workshop with Career Education Program Manager\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EJames Stringfellow\u003C\/strong\u003E, and engaged in a study abroad discussion with Assistant Dean for Academic Programs\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003ECam Tyson\u003C\/strong\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ESTEP students also have access to free academic tutoring in core science and math classes, helping them navigate the rigor of the Georgia Tech curriculum.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cI visited the Math Lab very frequently and attended Math nights for group tutoring,\u201d says\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EShreya Tiwari\u003C\/strong\u003E, a math major pursuing a degree in computational and applied mathematics. \u201cBoth programs were extremely helpful and convenient since we did not have to schedule an appointment. The tutoring was provided by graduate students who gave tailored and effective feedback.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDuring the\u0026nbsp;GT 2000 class, STEP students are paired with peer mentors, who are chosen based on academic standing and leadership skills.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cPeer pods provide a personal connection,\u201d says Marzo. \u201cThey can ask questions they might feel more comfortable asking a peer.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMost of the mentors are former transfer students. In the future, Marzo hopes many of the STEP students will apply to become mentors after completing the one-year program.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EA passion for helping others prompted\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EMaliyah Steed\u003C\/strong\u003E, a second-year biochemistry major, to become a STEP mentor. \u201cI try to help my mentees feel connected, included, and accepted,\u201d explains Steed. \u201cEven though they\u2019ve been in college before, it can still be a huge adjustment for transfer students because Tech is way different than other schools.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ESTEP mentor \u003Cstrong\u003EColin Stephenson\u003C\/strong\u003E, a biochemistry major with a pre-med focus, hopes his personal experience helps others.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u201cAs a transfer student, I faced everything from navigating an unfamiliar course registration system to finding my place socially,\u201d says Stephenson. \u201cBecoming a STEP mentor felt like something I could do to ensure newer transfer students wouldn\u2019t have to stumble through those same challenges alone.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ESTEP is open to any student transferring into the College of Sciences. On-campus housing is not required, but students can opt to live in\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/explorellc.cos.gatech.edu\/home\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;Explore\u003C\/a\u003E, the College of Sciences living and learning community.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cI would definitely recommend STEP to other transfer students,\u201d says Tiwari. \u201cIt helped me feel less overwhelmed and armed me with the skills I need to succeed in Tech\u2019s academically rigorous system.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe\u003Cstrong\u003E Student Transfer Enrichment Program\u003C\/strong\u003E (STEP), a pilot initiative funded by the College of Sciences Advisory Board, helps ease the transition for transfer students through academic support, leadership development, and access to a strong peer community.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The Student Transfer Enrichment Program (STEP) eases the transition for College of Sciences transfer students, helping them succeed academically and socially through mentorship, tutoring, and special events and activities."}],"uid":"36607","created_gmt":"2025-02-10 16:54:23","changed_gmt":"2025-02-17 19:39:06","author":"ls67","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-02-10T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-02-10T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"676257":{"id":"676257","type":"image","title":"C-PIES Director Lewis Wheaton (far left) and College of Sciences Program Director Lea Marzo (far right) pose with STEP students after a presentation to the College of Sciences Advisory Board.","body":"\u003Cp\u003EC-PIES Director Lewis Wheaton (far left) and College of Sciences (CoS) Program Director Lea Marzo (far right) pose with STEP students after a presentation to the College of Sciences Advisory Board.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1739221778","gmt_created":"2025-02-10 21:09:38","changed":"1739815111","gmt_changed":"2025-02-17 17:58:31","alt":"Ten people stand in a row in front of a building.","file":{"fid":"260005","name":"IMG_3458.JPG","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/10\/IMG_3458_2.JPG","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/10\/IMG_3458_2.JPG","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":4817316,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/02\/10\/IMG_3458_2.JPG?itok=INvzUkEa"}},"676252":{"id":"676252","type":"image","title":"STEP mentors provide valuable guidance and advice about navigating life at Georgia Tech.","body":"\u003Cp\u003ESTEP mentors provide valuable guidance and advice about navigating life at Georgia Tech.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1739218551","gmt_created":"2025-02-10 20:15:51","changed":"1739812151","gmt_changed":"2025-02-17 17:09:11","alt":"7 students standing on the steps.","file":{"fid":"260064","name":"dsc07810_54316293832_o.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/17\/dsc07810_54316293832_o.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/17\/dsc07810_54316293832_o.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":3105660,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/02\/17\/dsc07810_54316293832_o.jpg?itok=6-xRW7gF"}},"676256":{"id":"676256","type":"image","title":"STEP student Suzanne Sewell, (left), says one of her favorite parts of the program is the relationship with her mentor, Maliyah Steed, (right).","body":"\u003Cp\u003ESTEP student Suzanne Sewell, (left), says one of her favorite parts of the program is the relationship with her mentor, Maliyah Steed, (right).\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1739221459","gmt_created":"2025-02-10 21:04:19","changed":"1739222371","gmt_changed":"2025-02-10 21:19:31","alt":"Two female students pose for a selfie.","file":{"fid":"260004","name":"SandM.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/10\/SandM_1.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/10\/SandM_1.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":64033,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/02\/10\/SandM_1.jpg?itok=xg0fJ0eN"}}},"media_ids":["676257","676252","676256"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/undergraduate-programs","title":"College of Sciences Undergraduate Degree Programs "}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"}],"categories":[{"id":"42901","name":"Community"},{"id":"42911","name":"Education"},{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"}],"keywords":[{"id":"192259","name":"cos-students"},{"id":"4896","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"192552","name":"College of Sciences Advisory Board"},{"id":"191866","name":"C-PIES"},{"id":"185400","name":"transfer student"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWriter: Laura S. Smith\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003ECollege of Sciences\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003Elaura.smith@cos.gatech.edu\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["laura.smith@cos.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}