STEP is a first year mentoring and coaching program for 75 Pell Grant-eligible first year students at Salem State University.
Students participating in the Student Transition & Engagement Program (STEP) will successfully transition into college, thrive both personally and academically, and make progress towards their academic and career goals.
05/12/2026
CONGRATULATIONS to all of our STEP (Student Transition and Engagement Program) Graduates! We are so proud of all you have accomplished! Well Done! Stay in touch and let us know all the great things you are continuing to do! You're welcome back anytime to connect with our new STEP students each year!
05/06/2026
Transition to Second Year - A student panel on successfully transitioning from your first to second year of college.
"I had to understand my needs. I had to know when I needed to study, I had to know when I needed to hang out with friends, I needed to know when to get some fresh air and alone time. I think understanding your needs and trusting yourself, and your ability plays a big role in how well you're doing."
-Sean Robertson
05/05/2026
Transition to Second Year - A student panel on successfully transitioning from your first to second year of college.
“I use my time wisely now as a sophomore. I feel like I do my work on time, when I used to do it at the last minute, which was not good. Honestly, I use the library a lot. I have a four hour gap between classes and I try to do my work there. That is one of the main academic differences I really had."
-Angela ReyesGonzalez
05/04/2026
Transition to Second Year - A student panel on successfully transitioning from your first to second year of college.
One of the big things was finding a better balance. I got way more organized, finding time for not only myself but my schoolwork. I have also been going to the library a lot this year. This year I found I cannot study effectively when I'm in my room.
Making that change of going to the library first definitely improved a lot."
-Caylee Brown
05/01/2026
Transition to Second Year - A student panel on successfully transitioning from your first to second year of college.
"Make sure to put the time in for yourself and have fun. If you are stressed out you are not going to get anything done."
-Vera Robbins
04/30/2026
Transition to Second Year - A student panel on successfully transitioning from your first to second year of college.
"l've found that the more I grow my Interest the more that l've spent time in the places that matter to me, the more I feel i've been there forever. It's really about finding where I want to be connected that matters."
-Olivia Davis
04/29/2026
Transition to Second Year - A student panel on successfully transitioning from your first to second year of college.
"Find the people that make you feel loved.
Find your own community"
-Sean Robertson
04/28/2026
Transition to Second Year - A student panel on successfully transitioning from your first to second year of college.
"Take It easy. Take care of your mental and physical health. Also have fun but use your time wisely. Classes sometimes are going to get hard and sometimes they are not but still use your time wisely. But most importantly take care of yourself"
-Angela ReyesGonzalez
04/27/2026
Congratulations Seniors!!! Come and pick up your STEP cord for graduation and celebrate your success with us at our STEP Cording Event! Dates will be Tuesday, April 28th, from 1:30pm to 3:30 pm, and Wednesday, April 29th 11:30am to 1 pm.
Come get your cord, take some pictures, and grab some snacks! Thank you for being in STEP!
04/27/2026
Transition to Second Year - A student panel on successfully transitioning from your first to second year of college.
"Keep with the thing that work and work out the things that don't, both academically and socially. Keep putting yourself out there, keep doing what you love, keep finding things that make you feel successful"
-Caylee Brown