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MCC Daily Tribune Archive

STEP and Upward Bound Welcome 2010-2011 Participants


On Monday, September 27, the MCC pre-collegiate programs STEP and Upward Bound hosted a welcome event for students and parents to kick off the new academic year. The event enjoyed an excellent turnout with more than one hundred students and parents attending.

Donna Augustine, program director of STEP, began the event by welcoming new and returning students and parents. After an introduction of STEP and Upward Bound staff, the attending students and parents received an overview of events for 2010/2011 academic year. This included dates for local area college open houses and deadlines for SAT registration, as well as the 2nd annual Damon City Campus Shadow Day on November 11. Students also received information on the various clubs and activities they can participate in through STEP and Upward Bound. Available clubs include the Pre-Collegiate Service Scholars community service club and the National Society of Black Engineers, Jr. (NSBE Jr.). STEP will also be starting a Crime Scene Investigation club this year, allowing ten students to learn about forensic science while investigating mock crime scenes.

Students also had the opportunity to sign up for group and one-on-one tutoring with STEP and Upward Bound tutors. The meeting closed with Upward Bound program director Carmelita Brown explaining the rules of conduct and expectations for both programs. Afterward refreshments were served, and parents and students had the opportunity to meet the STEP and Upward Bound staff they would be working with throughout the year.

Upward Bound is a federally funded pre-collegiate initiative that aims to get first-generation, low income youth (grades 9-12) from the RCSD to pursue college and earn a college degree. STEP is a state-funded pre-collegiate initiative that aims to get underrepresented youth (grades 7-12) from Monroe County to pursue college and careers in STEM fields and state licensed professions. 

Participation in UB and STEP is free. More information can be found by contacting: Ms. Simmons, STEP, Program Coordinator: 262-1524; and Mrs. Reyes, Upward Bound, Secretary: 262-1658.

Carmelita Brown Wallace
Upward Bound
10/08/2010