The Stepup Experience

The STEPUP Experience reflects the bond and support that exists between past/present/future UF engineering students graduating from the program.

The Successful Transition and Enhanced Preparation for Undergraduates Program (STEPUP) approaches the concept of student preparation from a holistic perspective. In addition to the intensive academic courseload and the Project Design/programming component offered by its sister programs, STEPUP includes a professional development component where students are provided the opportunity to tour major e

ngineering company sites such as, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Disney, Kraft, GRU, Exactech, the Nielsen Corporation, etc., in efforts to see engineering in action and to meet with an diverse array of engineers representing these companies. This affords students participating in the program the opportunity to get an actual glimpse into the real world life of an engineer, as well as, begin developing a personal network of resources that may prove beneficial in the future. There are two components to the STEPUP program (all students accepted into the program are expected to fully complete both program components): a six-week summer residential program and a non-residential fall and spring semester program. In addition, participants in both the residential and non-residential programs continue to participate in academic support services (study halls, tutoring, and personalized academic advising) throughout their entire freshman year.

- Typical Summer Residential Schedule

A typical summer schedule for STEPUP participants will place the student into the often times difficult situation of having to balance classes and a design project along with the task of sharpening their skills as it relates to interacting/networking with engineering corporate representatives. Classes are taught using the “flipped” classroom design process which involves allotting more time during the class period to interact with the instructor (to gain better clarity on course concepts/assignments, work in small groups to solve class problems and increase peer to peer individual support as a method of further strengthening the long-term cohesion of the group (tasks which are often times very difficult to include as part of the traditional college class setting). The length of the day is by design based on the premise that serious engineering students should plan to attribute a minimum of 2 hours of studying (per day) for each class they are enrolled (a practice that may not be common among many students admitted into UF because oftentimes they have been able to attain a very high levels of academic success in the high school arena with minimum effort). Finally, a student’s focus should not be to simply graduate and to earn a degree, but more importantly, to successfully transition on to the next level of their professional development (which includes employment or graduate school). Engineering students must begin mastering the practice of interacting with engineering corporate representatives and “self-marketing” as part of the process leading to their being selected for internships, co-ops, research and other practical experiences which serve make them an even more competitive applicant in the future. In all, achieving a successful balance between academics and professional development will require students to “STEPUP” the amount of time and effort they commit into doing so.

- Typical Non-Residential Schedule

During the Fall & Spring semester, STEPUP participants enroll in the traditional classes required for all engineering students (Calculus, Chemistry, general education courses, etc.). STEPUP activities are planned at a minimum to ensure students the opportunity to focus on their classes, and to begin developing their leadership skills through organizational involvement. STEPUP students “are” expected to attend program meetings (typically 1 per semester), study halls (typically 2-4 hours per week) and professional development sessions involving small group meetings with engineering corporate representatives interested in presenting to the group about their company and opportunities for internships, etc. In addition, the mentor team and STEPUP participants often elect to schedule small social activities for the group to continue the group bonding process beyond the summer semester. This assists the group in further supporting each other through fun-activities that give the group a break from the grind of studying for classes, mid-terms, finals, etc. If you have further questions regarding the STEPUP XIX program, the application processes, or payment options, please contact the STEPUP Coordinator at 352-392-0944. We wish you the best for your student’s future success at the University of Florida. Sincerely,

Stephen Roberts, M.Ed
Associate Director

10/02/2024

STEPUP Networking Brunch and Social!

Saturday, October 5, 2024
11:00AM - 1:00PM

Dear STEPUP Family and Friends,

If you are in town for the game or just visiting this weekend, the Office of Student Transition and Retention invites you to the STEPUP Networking Brunch and Social on Saturday, October 5, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM in the Connections Conference Room located in the J. Wayne Reitz Union.

This event will be a wonderful prelude to the UF vs. UCF game, providing an opportunity to network and socialize with the STEPUP family, UF alumni, and corporate representatives. Brunch will be provided!

To RSVP for this event, please click the RSVP button below or email Debbie Jones at [email protected].

We look forward to seeing you on October 5th!

Go Gators!

Send a message to learn more

02/06/2024

STEPUP Family, As part of the SU30th celebration, I am considering hosting a STEPUP Alumni Corporate Panel this summer that will feature SU Corporate Reps in their current roles in Industry. This could be virtual or in person. Are any of you interested in participating in this? If so, send me an email at [email protected]. I would love to see your involvement in this.

01/31/2024

Greetings STEPUP Family and a late Happy New Year!

I am reaching out to inform all of you that the STEPUP program will be celebrating its 30th Anniversary this summer! To celebrate this momentous occasion, We endeavor to fill our Corporate Speaker series with STEPUP Alum and our Corporate Tour series to visit companies where our alums are currently working. STEPUP alum may participate in the Corporate speaker series either in person or via Zoom. If you are interested in participating in this year's celebration of our 30th Anniversary, please contact me at [email protected],. I am looking forward to this first step in re-engaging all of you with the program we all love so dearly!

Stephen Roberts, Director,
UF HWCOE Office of Student Transition and Retention (STAR)
UF Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering

10/05/2023

Are you interested in graduate school? Next Thursday, October 12 at 8pm, Collegepond is hosting a Zoom webinar all about what to expect from a graduate program! From the application process to scholarships, join this session to learn about the University of Florida and the UF Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering..

Unlock some additional benefits as well, including:
- GRE waived for all engineering programs except CISE Department
- MS Application fee waivers for international students except CISE Department
- $4,500 guaranteed Academic Achievement Awards for all international admitted MS who enroll in engineering or computer/data science.

Register today at https://t.ly/BTw7n!

09/21/2022

We will host a special dedication ceremony to recognize the many contributions of Dr. Jonathan Earle, Associate Dean Emeritus of the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering. The ceremony will take place on Saturday, October 8, 2022 (UF Homecoming Weekend), from 10 - 11 am in the concourse of the Herbert Wertheim Laboratory for Engineering Excellence. All are invited.

Dr. Earle passed away this summer 2022. His obituary and a digital memorial can be found here. https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/tamarac-fl/jonathan-earle-10776946

There will be several guest speakers as well as the announcement of ways to memorialize his legacy. For those unable to attend in person, a link to view the ceremony online will be provided closer to the ceremony.

For planning purposes, if you will attend in person, please RSVP at the link below:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dean-earle-dedication-ceremony-tickets-410517718547

Dean Earle Dedication Ceremony We will host a special dedication ceremony to recognize the many contributions of Dr. Jonathan Earle, Associate Dean Emeritus of the HWCOE.

12/02/2021

Just dropping by to wish you Happy Holidays! How’s everyone doing this holiday season?!

07/15/2020

Dear STEPUP Family,

As Director of the Office of Student Transition and Retention (STAR), I have been asked to participate on a panel to represent/discuss the experiences of our students on matters related to discrimination based on race, gender, ethnicity, etc..

To assist me in this effort, I am asking each of you to complete this brief, completely anonymous survey about your experience at UF. I will use this anonymous feedback to share the voice of current/former UF/HWCOE students, and in efforts to identify potential solutions to student experiences that do not contribute towards a welcoming and supportive UF/HWCOE community.

Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey. If possible, please complete the survey by 7/19/2020. The link to the survey is below:

STEPUP QUALTRICS SURVEY LINK

https://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cC5FSoicMJfAkHb

**Estimated time of completion is 5-8 minutes.

Online Survey Software | Qualtrics Survey Solutions The most powerful, simple and trusted way to gather experience data. Start your journey to experience management and try a free account today.

07/29/2018

Dr. Jeremy Waisome, STEPUP XI Alum with the women of the newest STEPUP cohort. Dr. Waisome was invited to speak at the Women in Engineering Luncheon last week. The group has been able to dine with Dean Cammy Abernathy and several other faculty members, including prior STEPUP participant Dr. Shema Freeman!

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